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A review by jm_brister
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I used this book when I still taught 9th grade English. Before reading the rest of this review, I do want to point out that most kids LOVE this book. So if you are a kid or are looking for a book for a kid who needs a high-interest book to get more engaged in reading, then disregard the rest of my review because I am going to look at it from an adult's perspective.
The story centers around Steve Harmon, a Black 16-year-old who is on trial for the murder of a drugstore owner. The book centers around Steve's trial, and his time awaiting trial in jail. The reader gets to look at the proceedings in a more unconventional way: from Steve's journal and a movie script he is making about the trial.
Students relate very well to Steve's character because he is young, which also keeps the book fresh. The unconventional format of the dialogue/journal allow the reader However, one thing that I DO really like about the book is that Steve can be considered an unreliable narrator and may not be telling the reader everything. The reader is then forced to form an opinion about Steve's guilt or innocence. It could be argued that Steve may not be completely truthful in his diary, since he knows that it could be read by the authorities. Sometimes, the movie and the journal are inconsistent. To me, that made the story the most interesting.
The book is great for unmotivated readers because it is a quick and easy read. I've even heard the audio version that was pretty good as well. However, the thing that makes this book great for younger people makes it annoying for adults. This book is NOT great writing, even from a YA literature perspective. However, it is accessible for a lot of kids who would otherwise not want to pick up a book, and for that, I must give it full credit.
This is a very good YA lit book, but it is not as meaty as others in the same category. Overall, younger people would probably like it more than older. It is definitely not a book I would pick up again for pleasure.
The story centers around Steve Harmon, a Black 16-year-old who is on trial for the murder of a drugstore owner. The book centers around Steve's trial, and his time awaiting trial in jail. The reader gets to look at the proceedings in a more unconventional way: from Steve's journal and a movie script he is making about the trial.
Students relate very well to Steve's character because he is young, which also keeps the book fresh. The unconventional format of the dialogue/journal allow the reader However, one thing that I DO really like about the book is that Steve can be considered an unreliable narrator and may not be telling the reader everything. The reader is then forced to form an opinion about Steve's guilt or innocence. It could be argued that Steve may not be completely truthful in his diary, since he knows that it could be read by the authorities. Sometimes, the movie and the journal are inconsistent. To me, that made the story the most interesting.
The book is great for unmotivated readers because it is a quick and easy read. I've even heard the audio version that was pretty good as well. However, the thing that makes this book great for younger people makes it annoying for adults. This book is NOT great writing, even from a YA literature perspective. However, it is accessible for a lot of kids who would otherwise not want to pick up a book, and for that, I must give it full credit.
This is a very good YA lit book, but it is not as meaty as others in the same category. Overall, younger people would probably like it more than older. It is definitely not a book I would pick up again for pleasure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Toxic friendship