Monster

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Steve Harmon has found himself arrested for murder, a murder that he didn't commit. This story follows his and another boy that is involved's trial. This story is told in a screenplay format with some interjections of Steve's thoughts. Steve was bullied into helping a group of gangsters rob a connivence store. His job was, allegedly, to go through the store to see if there were any cops or other people inside before the robbery crew went in. During the robbery the store owner was murdered and now two of the boys are on trial. Through his trial, Steve processes the information by writing everything down in a screen play. By the end of the trial Steve is found innocent because he did not have any direct part in the robbery or murder of the store owner.

This story would be a good one to use to teach students the impact of their decisions as well as how important it is to choose the right friends. Other books that readers who enjoy this book would like would be The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Lockdown, or The Chocolate War.

For my students, the days that we get to practice and perform our dramas are some of the most exciting days in my classroom. When I was reading Monster the screenplay feel of it made me think of my students' love for drama. I think that like some graphic novels, this book could be a bridge to get my students who are reluctant readers interested in reading novels.

Citation

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. New York, NY: Amisted.