Book Review: Monster
What Parents Should Know
Highly realistic writing, with poor and good grammar used
appropriately for each character. The movie script and
courtroom realism teach both creativity and contemporary
culture. Many characters commit crimes.
A compelling story, suspense, and skillful writing grip readers. Grainy photographs contribute to the realistic atmosphere.
Common Sense Media Review
Kids who kill: are they monsters? In this courtroom mystery
we don't know if sixteen-year-old Steve is guilty or not. Did
he do it? Will he go to jail just because he's Black? You're
the jury. You've got the evidence. You decide.
The story alone is enough to get readers involved, but this fast-moving book goes beyond those simple questions. Myers writes about human beings who make their own choices and react to their own circumstances. Even the minor characters have enough individuality to ring true.
Because Myers makes Steve a real human being, teen readers care about him. They want him to be found 'not guilty,' but even more than that, they want to know if Steve really is guilty. Steve's feelings about himself, his terror of jail, and his reaction to the epithet 'monster,' leave the reader guessing. The suspense and drama keep reluctant readers turning the pages, while more advanced readers will respond to the issues raised.
The format of this taut story regulates the pacing. Edge-of-the-seat courtroom scenes written entirely in dialog wind the reader up, then thoughtful journal entries allow readers to catch their breaths. They can feel Steve's terror and confusion, and ponder Myers' point about how the road from innocence to trouble is taken in small, almost invisible steps, each involving a "lack of positive moral decision."
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