Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, was an amazing story of identity, racism, and the law. I really enjoyed this book for multiple reasons, the first being the style in which it was written. By using different fonts/handwriting, it broke up the story and made it easier to understand an read, while differentiating what we were reading about. I also liked the addition of flashbacks in the novel, as I do in any novel because they give such great insight as to what lead to the current predicament or state of thinking. Steve was called a "monster" by the prosecutor which really hit home for him. Name calling can cause so many internal injuries and scars with oneself. It came to a point where Steve wasn't really sure whether or not he truly was a monster. I was relieved to see the novel ended with Steve's freedom. I felt like it brought the novel to a close on a high note, and allowed us to relate to being accused of something we did not do. The imagery Myers uses is great for teaching in high school, and also a book boys can enjoy. I feel as though school readings and novels often are more geared towards female audiences, however this novel had a reoccurring theme of "confused male teen" that so many high schoolers deal with. Overall I really enjoyed the novel and Steve's journey to freedom.
Lesson Learned:
Don't jump to conclusions, accuse, or stereotype!
Pick up ANY of Walter Dean Myers books and you will find literature that boys will like. He admitted that he wrote with alienated youth in mind. He, himself, had a troubled youth and he always said that he connected with these young people. He was a prolific writer while he was alive. He passed away, unexpectedly, last year. This book was probably his most famous and I assume that is because of the format that was used. So many messages were sent in this story, but ever so subtly. Your feelings...................was Steve Harmon guilty or not?
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ReplyDeleteIs Steve guilty? Is he guilty of being an accessory to a crime? What do you think that Steve learned from this experience? What can the students in your class learn from having read this book? Is this a class read or is it a book that you would only recommend to individual students?
ReplyDeleteWhat, in your estimation, makes this such a powerful book?
Dr. Ries