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emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
3.0
The story is an intense and vivid journey in the heart of a young man on trial. As described by a character in the first chapter, the goal of the trial is to make the young man human in the eyes of the jury; this story makes people on trial and in jail human. It also immerses us in the fine line that can sometimes stand between “good” and “bad” choices.
I read Monster because my middle school age child is reading it in class. I’m looking forward to discussing this book and hearing how a class of 11/12 year olds discusses this topic.
It is not something I would had to my middle grader without also having a discussion because it will be most powerful if extended into the now and here rather than letting it flow around you like a more casual read.
I read Monster because my middle school age child is reading it in class. I’m looking forward to discussing this book and hearing how a class of 11/12 year olds discusses this topic.
It is not something I would had to my middle grader without also having a discussion because it will be most powerful if extended into the now and here rather than letting it flow around you like a more casual read.
souvalli's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jencunn2024's review against another edition
3.0
This book is written in movie script style of a court trial about a teen accused of a crime but claiming innocence. It follows the case and the teen through the jury trial verdict, including his behind the scenes emotions in his jail cell and experience as well as his thoughts and fears about the impending trial, verdict and facing a long term prison sentence if he is found guilty. The book mildly covers the case and jail experiences but presents a realness in the characters and the protagonist’s fears and emotions. There is a lot to learn and experience through this important Ya novel and commentary on the Justice system and it’s procedures/methods. This book has been banned for mature content. There are mild descriptions of violence during a convenience store robbery, and mention of prisoner rape as a possibility and fear but not graphically. Language, violence, and mentions of racism and sexuality are age appropriate for middle and high school ages and mild compared to typical your television programming video games, and movies of today. The writing is good and to the point. This novel is teachable and great for discussion. It’s also a plain good read.
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
16-year-old Steve Harmon is on trial for serving as the lookout in a botched drugstore robbery that ended in the shooting death of the drugstore owner. His testimony is that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and never actually agreed to act as lookout, but if the jury doesn't buy it, he's looking at a felony murder conviction. A film student, Steve relates the courtroom proceedings as if he were directing the movie of his life. Thought-provoking and well-paced, this short but gritty novel is a great choice for reluctant readers who enjoy urban fiction. The various voices in the audio version bring our judicial system to life in a very real way.
bookshelfbybub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book provides an unflinching view of jail. It does not shy away from creating a tense image of fear, violence, and sexual violence.
The format of the book is unique. It switches between the main characters’ journal and a play format. The journal entries give a direct line of sight into Steve’s mind and do a great job of showing his internal conflict and reminding the reader that he is a terrified teenager. The play sections move the plot along while distancing Steve from the crime, masterfully creating a sense of ambiguity about his involvement.
The format of the book is unique. It switches between the main characters’ journal and a play format. The journal entries give a direct line of sight into Steve’s mind and do a great job of showing his internal conflict and reminding the reader that he is a terrified teenager. The play sections move the plot along while distancing Steve from the crime, masterfully creating a sense of ambiguity about his involvement.
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
When I first realized this was in the format of a screenplay I thought I would hate it. For the first few pages, I did. I was very resistant to it. But the format really grew on me, and by the end of the book I felt that it was a great way to tell this story. I found myself really questioning Steve's assertion of innocence. Was the story he told the truth, or the "truth" that he talked himself into believing?
rilez's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tasha_bombastic's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
carlisajc's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the story of Steve Harmon, a 17-year-old on trial for murder. He's charged as the look-out, who went in a convenience store to make sure no one was there and walked out, giving (or not giving) a signal to two other guys who'd go in and rob the place. Only the store clerk ended up dead. And now all three are being tried for murder.
What makes this book interesting is its format. It's a combination of short journal entries of Steve's and a screenplay of his trial (that Steve is writing). This Postmodern effect really adds to the experience. The author doesn't really make it clear whether or not Steve is guilty. So because we experience the trial as a screenplay—a distanced medium—we can act as the jury ourselves to make our own decision about his innocence or lack of.
The screenplay medium also distanced me from Steve, though, so I started to lose sympathy for him. I couldn't connect with him because I barely got any of his personal thoughts. And the thoughts we did get in the journal entries were selective and, frankly, untrustworthy. About halfway through, I started questioning whether what I was reading in his journals and in his screenplay version of his trial was accurate or whether it was just what he wanted us to hear. I think unreliable narrators are actually pretty interesting, thinking about it. It adds complexity, which I like.
What makes this book interesting is its format. It's a combination of short journal entries of Steve's and a screenplay of his trial (that Steve is writing). This Postmodern effect really adds to the experience. The author doesn't really make it clear whether or not Steve is guilty. So because we experience the trial as a screenplay—a distanced medium—we can act as the jury ourselves to make our own decision about his innocence or lack of.
The screenplay medium also distanced me from Steve, though, so I started to lose sympathy for him. I couldn't connect with him because I barely got any of his personal thoughts. And the thoughts we did get in the journal entries were selective and, frankly, untrustworthy. About halfway through, I started questioning whether what I was reading in his journals and in his screenplay version of his trial was accurate or whether it was just what he wanted us to hear. I think unreliable narrators are actually pretty interesting, thinking about it. It adds complexity, which I like.