Genre 6: Young Adult Books

Bibliography

Myers, Walter Dean. 1999. Monster. Ill. by Christopher Myers. ISBN 0-06-028078-6

Overview

In Walter Myer's book, Monster, readers are reminded of the theme that's present in many of this author's Y. A. books: violence. A store owner is shot and killed and the main character Steve, among others are on trial for the murder. Myers presented a story that is all too familiar in many black neighborhoods. We hear the story through the point of view of Steve and many times may think if he is truly aware of what may be his fate. Many of the answers he gave while on trial were just simple "yes" or "no." Steve says "Its funny, but when I'm sitting in the courtroom, I don't feel like I'm involved in the case. Its like the lawyers and the judge and everybody are doing a job that involves me, but I don't have a role." Steve's subjective point of view keeps readers in suspense because even they may start to question if Steve was truly involved in the killing of the store owner.

Myers was able to tell the story of Monster so realistically because he has said in many interviews that the life of Steve is how life was for him and many blacks growing up in his community. The life of violence that Steve experienced is an example of how gender and culture are too often reflected among Black males today. The author also presents characters who we can both sympathize with and ones we have no pity for. Are the boys on trial victims of their society, are they boys who should be given another chance, or are they boys who committed horrible acts that should be punished severely?

The style in which Myers wrote Monster makes the book even more relatable. The story not only reminds us of the harsh realities some people face everyday, but the font type used made Steve's story reach out from the pages. The large script and font size made the story easy to follow. Most of the black and white photos were non-expressive and were merely honest depictions of prison life. The book jacket, although somewhat colorful, with the unsmiling, unapologetic mug shot on it, was the first indication that the reader may literally be reading about a "monster."

Monster is a book that has won several awards and recognitions and many will agree that this realistic story will be remembered by many who read it. especially young adult readers.

Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, 1999
Michael L. Printz Award, 2000
Coretta Scott King Honor
Natioinal Book Award, Nominated in 2000

*Starred Review in Booklist: "The tense drama of the courtroom scenes will enthrall readers, but it is the thorny moral questions raised in Steve's journal that will endure in readers memories."
*Starred Review in School Library Journal: "Many elements of this story are familiar, but Myers keeps it fresh nd alive by telling it from an unusual perspective."

Connections

This is a good book to share with Y. A. readers because it is true to life. It's also a good choice for suspense and mystery lovers.

*Gather other books Y. A. readers may relate to after reading Monster:
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. ISBN 0060935464
Gaines, Ernest. A Lesson Before Dying. ISBN 185242723X

*Gather other Michael Dean Myers' books:
Slam. ISBN 0545055741
Scorpions. ISBN 0064406237
Somewhere in the Darkness. ISBN 0545055776

*Further Connections

Readers may find this interview with Michael Dean Myers interesting:

www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/myersw