Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Monster is a winner of the Michael L. Printz Award by author Walter Dean Myers and illustrator Christopher Myers. The story is about a 16-year-old African American named Steve Harmon who is on trial along with three other defendants for the murder of a store owner in Harlem, New York. The book is told through the perspective of Steve in the form of a movie screenplay that he is writing throughout the trial. Accounts of the crime seem to point to Steve being a lookout, but there are contradictions. Three major themes that stick out include equity in the justice system, race, and peer pressure. Kirkus Review stated, “The format of this taut and moving drama forcefully regulates the pacing; breathless, edge-of-the-seat courtroom scenes written entirely in dialogue alternate with thoughtful, introspective journal entries that offer a sense of Steve’s terror and confusion.” (In a riveting novel, 2010)

The illustrator is Christopher Myers the son of Walter Dean Myers and a Coretta Scott King Honoree winner. The photographs are dark and grainy, which is fitting for this book. It is difficult to tell if they are real photographs or illustrations due to the large pixels covering each picture. Yet, they make the reader feel the turmoil of Steve and his situation. There are pictures of him taking his mug shot, writing, or standing alone. Each picture is of him being alone and it just adds to the reader's empathy for his plight.

Critical Analysis

The plot was easy to follow despite being in screenplay format. The themes are based on actual situations that are faced by many African Americans. Similarly, the characters provide context to an imperfect system while showing the conflict through everyone’s desire to not go to jail as well as a cog in a broken justice system. A similar book is The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Teachers can use this book to summarize major plot points or use it as a context to start a dialogue about events in the news.

The strength of this book is based on its theme of injustice in the legal system. It provides a reality that many African Americans face in an unforgiving justice system. I’m not sure if there are any weaknesses within this book, but if I had to pick it’s the author not providing more perspective from Steve’s lawyer and the other defendants. Personally, I believe the strengths and weaknesses made for a more dramatic buildup like a movie, which was probably the author’s intent.

References

In a riveting novel. (2010, June 24). Monster. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved February 9, 2022, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-dean-myers/monster-myers/

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. Ill. by Christopher Myers. HarperCollins.