Monster
by Walter Dean Myers

    MONSTER by Walter Dean Myers
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Publisher:  5/8/01
    Publisher:  Amistad
    Reviewed by:  Mechele R. Dillard
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Sixteen-year-old Steve is on trial for murder. But he's having trouble understanding why. "What did I do? I walked
    into a drugstore to look for some mints, and then I walked out. What was wrong with that? I didn't kill Mr.
    Nesbitt" (p. 140). Nothing is wrong with that, of course--unless the purpose of that casual trip was to give the "all
    clear" for a robbery that ended in the murder of the store's owner. Then, something is very wrong.

    By structuring the book as a movie script being written by the character as he spends his days in prison, faces his
    jury, prepares with his lawyer, confronts his mother and father, and, most importantly, examines his own life, Myers
    presents Steve as a talented young man who may have made a single poor choice. However, Myers retains conflict
    necessary for building a compelling storyline by having Steve refuse to acknowledge his part in Mr. Nesbitt's death.
    The result is that the reader wants to sympathize with the teen, but cannot help but wonder, if Steve truly does not
    understand why what he did was wrong, what is going to keep him from going astray in the future? Maybe, as the
    prosecutor stated, Steve really is a monster.

    Overall, MONSTER sends an excellent message to young adults: You, and only you, are responsible for the choices
    you make, and the consequences for those choices may ultimately affect not only the rest of your life, but the lives of
    the people around you--and maybe those you do not even know. Therefore, think about what you are doing,
    consider the consequences of your actions, and choose wisely.

    Boston Globe--Horn Book Awards, Honor Book,1999

    Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Young Adult Fiction, Finalist 1999

    Coretta Scott King Awards, Honor Book, 2000  

    Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Nominee, Best Young Adult Novel, 2000

    Michael L. Printz Award, Winner, 2000

    Kentucky Bluegrass Award, Grades 9-12, Winner, 2002