What do you think?
Rate this book
The Beast
An exciting, eye-catching repackage of acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers' bestselling paperbacks, to coincide with the publication of SUNRISE OVER FALLUJA in hardcover.
Seventen-year-old Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is returning to Harlem after seven months at an exclusive prep school. He never wanted to leave the city in the first place--especially not to walk the hallowed halls of a mostly white New England school. But now that Spoon is back home, he realizes how much he's come to rely on his prep-school friends and routine. And the one thing he's looking forward to most--seeing his girlfriend, Gabi--brings him the greatest shock. When he left, Gabi was a vibrant young poet. Now she's a thin, wasted drug addict. Can Spoon help her find her way again?
Seventen-year-old Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is returning to Harlem after seven months at an exclusive prep school. He never wanted to leave the city in the first place--especially not to walk the hallowed halls of a mostly white New England school. But now that Spoon is back home, he realizes how much he's come to rely on his prep-school friends and routine. And the one thing he's looking forward to most--seeing his girlfriend, Gabi--brings him the greatest shock. When he left, Gabi was a vibrant young poet. Now she's a thin, wasted drug addict. Can Spoon help her find her way again?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
42 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Walter Dean Myers
232 books1,184 followerspseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.
Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.
In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
September 14, 2008
I've never met a Myers book that I didn't love, but this one just seems ... off ... to me.
I don't know what my problem with it is, exactly, but let me think it out:
1. The main character, Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is a black kid from Harlem with rich parents who send him to a Connecticut boarding school for his senior year.
I'm not crazy, right? But this is not Myers' typical protagonist. There's no motive given for Spoon leaving his regular school and going off to the fancy-pants new one. It's vaguely implied that his (possibly rich?) parents wanted it for him, but why hasn't he gone to boarding school his whole life then?
2. Spoon's girlfriend-back-home Gabi has to contend with a mom with cancer, a brother who's on the verge of joining a gang, a blind grandfather, oh, and her own heroin use.
That's a lot of stuff to throw into such a short story. Her climb onto the smack train seems to happen suddenly (do people just start with heroin? I don't know drug protocol), and apparently she started using because of stress. Again, I'm no expert, but don't people smoke pot for that?
3. While I certainly don't hate happy endings, this one seemed a little too Disney-princess for me.
Myers does leave the ending open, so you can draw your own conclusions about some things, but I think the denouement wasn't very realistic. Of course, maybe my opinion is influenced by my own unique interpretation of drug culture, which is entirely based upon three episodes of CSI and that episode of Diff'rent Strokes with Nancy Reagan.
What I did like is that Spoon is clearly caught between his two worlds, neither of which seems like home to him. His classmates at the boarding school are entitled and accustomed to luxury (which is another thing lacking explanation: Has Spoon's family always been rich? Or is this new money?) and his friends back home aren't as educationally ambitious as he is.
I think there's just too much crammed into the story, and that's what makes it seem less realistic.
I expected more.
I don't know what my problem with it is, exactly, but let me think it out:
1. The main character, Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is a black kid from Harlem with rich parents who send him to a Connecticut boarding school for his senior year.
I'm not crazy, right? But this is not Myers' typical protagonist. There's no motive given for Spoon leaving his regular school and going off to the fancy-pants new one. It's vaguely implied that his (possibly rich?) parents wanted it for him, but why hasn't he gone to boarding school his whole life then?
2. Spoon's girlfriend-back-home Gabi has to contend with a mom with cancer, a brother who's on the verge of joining a gang, a blind grandfather, oh, and her own heroin use.
That's a lot of stuff to throw into such a short story. Her climb onto the smack train seems to happen suddenly (do people just start with heroin? I don't know drug protocol), and apparently she started using because of stress. Again, I'm no expert, but don't people smoke pot for that?
3. While I certainly don't hate happy endings, this one seemed a little too Disney-princess for me.
Myers does leave the ending open, so you can draw your own conclusions about some things, but I think the denouement wasn't very realistic. Of course, maybe my opinion is influenced by my own unique interpretation of drug culture, which is entirely based upon three episodes of CSI and that episode of Diff'rent Strokes with Nancy Reagan.
What I did like is that Spoon is clearly caught between his two worlds, neither of which seems like home to him. His classmates at the boarding school are entitled and accustomed to luxury (which is another thing lacking explanation: Has Spoon's family always been rich? Or is this new money?) and his friends back home aren't as educationally ambitious as he is.
I think there's just too much crammed into the story, and that's what makes it seem less realistic.
I expected more.
November 25, 2014
I expected a lot more from this book than it gave me. Starting on the first page, I knew the book was going to have some ups and downs throughout it. But, I didn't expect it to be so dry. This book shows how drugs 'the beast' can turn your life upside before you know it. Although the book wasn't my favorite, I do feel Myers did a good job with the point of view. The point of view was first person, from Spoon, the main character. The author really connected the reader to what the characters was thinking and feeling throughout the entire book. If Spoon felt sad, the reader felt sad. If Spoon felt angry, the reader felt angry.Some strategies I could take from this book to teach writing is to teach my students how to really incorporate point of view through their writings. I could read the page in the book where Spoon discovers Gabi is using drugs, by discovering needles and heroine in her room. He describes his shock and disgust so well, the reader really feels what he is feeling.This is something that I can show my students as an example of how to really connect the readers to the story.
March 5, 2018
The Beast might sound like a scary book maybe about something haunted or a monster, or maybe someone who thinks there a beast at doing something in their life. But this book is a little bit different than that, so just keep reading this review, and it will make you want to get the book and read it.
This book attached me to it as soon I got done with the first chapter. The author of the book Walter Dean Myers organized the book well with the action happening and then the romance. That made this book really good on what was happening and why. The main character was an African American called Anthony who came back to his town from boarding school for vacation. This book shows how you can leave a dangerous neighborhood, everything can change when you come back. It can either be one of your friends got killed, joined a gang, or you’re family apart. This book sounds like it’s a reality thing that actually happened. That’s what gets you so into the book.
In my opinion, I liked this book so much that I would give it a 10/10. I would recommend this book for the people who are struggling in where they live, on how bad their neighborhood, and how you should care about each and one of your friends and family before they’re gone by the dangerousness of the world.
This book attached me to it as soon I got done with the first chapter. The author of the book Walter Dean Myers organized the book well with the action happening and then the romance. That made this book really good on what was happening and why. The main character was an African American called Anthony who came back to his town from boarding school for vacation. This book shows how you can leave a dangerous neighborhood, everything can change when you come back. It can either be one of your friends got killed, joined a gang, or you’re family apart. This book sounds like it’s a reality thing that actually happened. That’s what gets you so into the book.
In my opinion, I liked this book so much that I would give it a 10/10. I would recommend this book for the people who are struggling in where they live, on how bad their neighborhood, and how you should care about each and one of your friends and family before they’re gone by the dangerousness of the world.
December 1, 2014
I must say that I really enjoyed reading The Beast. The story takes place in the city of New York so for a southern girl like myself of course it was a bit different for me to get use to the events which occurred in the text. I usually gravitate towards books of this kind, one where there is drama in the midst of the text and can really draw readers into the text. I must say throughout the course of reading the text, the author truly kept me on my toes. Certain events were truly unexpected, and that’s exactly how I like it! The author truly connected with the aspects of time, setting, and characters in the text. The time and setting of the text correlated throughout, I could definitely envision the time of year and imagine the scenery of the setting. I am almost certain that the author took a great deal of time as he created the characters. As I read the text I found myself trying to mentally paint a picture of the characters. While reading this book I found myself constantly reflecting upon how the characters felt? How would I feel if I were in their shoes? How could certain events been avoided? How could the characters maintain their relationships? And the list goes on, there were many circling questions? Author Meyers did very well tying in the aspects listed above, as a reader I look forward to being simply entertained, and continuing the text because I just have to know what is going to happen next! One element that I must say that the author kind of dropped the ball would be the conclusion. I was a tad bit disappointed because there were questions that remained unanswered, which left me to assume my very own conclusion! Haha and trust me that’s no fun, lol! I would suggest to the author that he should follow up with the details in regards to the characters in the text, simply tell us what happens next. The author created a text that was entertaining and as a reader I became fond of the characters in the story, so you must understand that I would like an ending that ties all of the loose ends of the text, because at the end of the day that is what readers look forward to! I could definitely take in the illustrative strategies of this text. When I say illustrative I don’t mean pictures in the text because there weren’t any illustrations, but the author definitely created a piece which allowed me as a reader to create a picture mentally. For my future classroom setting I could incorporate this strategy into a minilesson, where students can learn the importance of painting a picture for readers.
November 30, 2008
Anthony Witherspoon goes away to finish out school at the Academy where he is removed from Harlem and life on the streets. After being gone for only a few months Anthony “Spoon” visits his high school love, Gabi, only to find she is more distant from him than he could have imagined.
“She seemed so different than she had been, as if she had somehow wound tighter than a person ever should be, as if at any moment she would either spring loose into a thousand parts or stop altogether. Somehow I had lost my understanding of her.” –Anthony “Spoon”
Life on the streets in Harlem is hard, Spoon knows that, but when he returns he is surprised at how different everything seems.
“I came down from Wallingford looking to find the world I’d left, but it’s all changed. I’m home Gabi. But home is not what it used to be for me. It used to be simply a neighborhood played ball in and a building I lived in and where my parents lived. All of sudden it’s a place in which I question everything, mostly who I am…can we reach a point where there’s just no place else to go?” –Anthony “Spoon”
Walter Dean Myers does a fantastic job of showing the life of an addict through the eyes of another who cares about them. This book is graphic, but not obscene. It is told from the perspective of a teenage boy who is trying to make a better life for himself than that of the one he is offered on the streets. He is in love with a girl he had to leave behind, who in turn left him behind for The Beast of heroine. Anthony is crushed and learns what it means to really move on and let go.
This book could easily be taught in its entirety, but I would anticipate some contest from parents, administration, and students. It is a superbly told story of culture, life, language, and abuse.
“She seemed so different than she had been, as if she had somehow wound tighter than a person ever should be, as if at any moment she would either spring loose into a thousand parts or stop altogether. Somehow I had lost my understanding of her.” –Anthony “Spoon”
Life on the streets in Harlem is hard, Spoon knows that, but when he returns he is surprised at how different everything seems.
“I came down from Wallingford looking to find the world I’d left, but it’s all changed. I’m home Gabi. But home is not what it used to be for me. It used to be simply a neighborhood played ball in and a building I lived in and where my parents lived. All of sudden it’s a place in which I question everything, mostly who I am…can we reach a point where there’s just no place else to go?” –Anthony “Spoon”
Walter Dean Myers does a fantastic job of showing the life of an addict through the eyes of another who cares about them. This book is graphic, but not obscene. It is told from the perspective of a teenage boy who is trying to make a better life for himself than that of the one he is offered on the streets. He is in love with a girl he had to leave behind, who in turn left him behind for The Beast of heroine. Anthony is crushed and learns what it means to really move on and let go.
This book could easily be taught in its entirety, but I would anticipate some contest from parents, administration, and students. It is a superbly told story of culture, life, language, and abuse.
November 2, 2012
After reading and reflecting on the book "The Beast”, I really enjoyed it. The author did a great job of making connections between the characters experiences with real life problems. I really liked how I could connect to the book because I’m the same age as Anthony.
This story takes place in the streets of Harlem, New York. The main character of the story is a high school boy, who goes by the name of Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon. Anthony is a great kid who just wants to escape the streets and live the best life that he can. He deeply cares for his parents, friends and most importantly his girlfriend Gabi.
Anthony’s parents send him off to Wallingford Academy in Connecticut to finish off his high school career. He decides to come home for Christmas break to see his parents and his beloved girlfriend Gabi. Anthony becomes very worried to go back home because Gabi has stopped writing him back, and he is very scared that Gabi and Harlem had changed. He had come back to his hometown of Harlem to find out that both Gabi and the city of Harlem had changed for the worse. Gabi’s mom becomes very sick and Gabi has to take care of her. With all the stress on Gabi to take care of her mother, come very harsh consequences. Anthony had come home to find out that the women he loves, is addicted to the “beast”, drugs. Anthony doesn’t know what to do but he still cares for Gabi. When Anthony left the Wallingford Academy he was scared that he had left Gabi and the streets behind, but it really turns out that the streets and Gabi had left him behind.
I recommend this book to others because it explains a great story about a young boy who deeply cares for and loves his girlfriend and how he shows his love by helping her overcome and beat the “beast”.
This story takes place in the streets of Harlem, New York. The main character of the story is a high school boy, who goes by the name of Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon. Anthony is a great kid who just wants to escape the streets and live the best life that he can. He deeply cares for his parents, friends and most importantly his girlfriend Gabi.
Anthony’s parents send him off to Wallingford Academy in Connecticut to finish off his high school career. He decides to come home for Christmas break to see his parents and his beloved girlfriend Gabi. Anthony becomes very worried to go back home because Gabi has stopped writing him back, and he is very scared that Gabi and Harlem had changed. He had come back to his hometown of Harlem to find out that both Gabi and the city of Harlem had changed for the worse. Gabi’s mom becomes very sick and Gabi has to take care of her. With all the stress on Gabi to take care of her mother, come very harsh consequences. Anthony had come home to find out that the women he loves, is addicted to the “beast”, drugs. Anthony doesn’t know what to do but he still cares for Gabi. When Anthony left the Wallingford Academy he was scared that he had left Gabi and the streets behind, but it really turns out that the streets and Gabi had left him behind.
I recommend this book to others because it explains a great story about a young boy who deeply cares for and loves his girlfriend and how he shows his love by helping her overcome and beat the “beast”.
December 1, 2014
When I first saw this book I was very intrigued with the tittle: The Beast. The story was about a young boy, Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon, torn between his old world: his family, childhood friends, and long time lover Gabi and his new and exciting world of prestigious education and intellectual companions. Casting a shadow over the already harsh transitions is “the Beast” that has captured Gabi and made things more difficult for Spoon. I quickly became very interested in this book because the author, Walter Dean, was very detailed in his descriptions of the characters and their interactions throughout the story. Although, as I kept reading, I noticed that the author was not going in depth in creating a strong plot. Many times I felt that I was left hanging in curtain parts of the story that did not seem intentional by the author. He lost sight of the forest in his description of the trees. This book has the potential to impact its audience powerfully. Some of my suggestion would be to (1) take a little more time to developing the story because it seemed rushed. This would also help the author create a clearer path of where the story starts and ends. (2) Use the descriptive language to depict all the aspects of a story: characters, setting, plot, and problem/solutions.
This is a great mentor text to use in the classroom. Walters Dean is known for well-developed imagery and descriptive language. I could use some of his “Golden Lines” to show examples of the power of detail. For older grades, this text could be an example of the importance of focusing and carefully developing a story.
This is a great mentor text to use in the classroom. Walters Dean is known for well-developed imagery and descriptive language. I could use some of his “Golden Lines” to show examples of the power of detail. For older grades, this text could be an example of the importance of focusing and carefully developing a story.
February 4, 2016
As I find myself reading more and more books, I have to say Walter Dean Myers is starting to become my favorite author with the way he portrays each character, it seems as if you knew them in a past life. The Beast portrays a high school student who has left the ghettos, and his loved ones to go search for better education in a all white prep school. His girlfriend who he though was perfect is addicted to drugs and his best friend has dropped out of school. Spoon is the main character and goes through many hardships in New York. The Beast is supposed to be the ghettos and all the troubles people face and the bad choices people make when they have nothing but troubles. Will Spoon help his friends out and kill the beast that ravages young lives in the ghetto or will he too succumb to the hardships back in New York?
April 27, 2017
This book had such strong feelings, but sometimes the descriptions were distracting or didn't feel like things a real teenager would say. I wanted to keep reading when it ended though!
Read
March 20, 2017Literary Analysis for English 2 Honors
“The Beast” started out with a boy and a girl saying their goodbyes. The boy, Anthony, was leaving to a new high school away from his girlfriend Gabi. Gabi was hispanic and spoke the spanish language often, sometimes through poetry. Anthony is black and grew up in the ‘hood’, along with Gabi. When he left for school they promised to talk often, to keep in touch. After about two months Gabi stopped replying, her phone was turned off and she never answered the letters Anthony would send. Anthony hadn’t visited since he left. It was Christmas break when he finally came home. When he got home he had found out that Gabi had started using drugs, or as she said ‘skin surfing’. When Anthony had first left is when her life started getting harder. It wasn’t his fault, but he wasn’t there when she needed him the most. Her mom got really sick, she had to drop out of school, and her blind grandfather had to come live with them. She started using drugs and Anthony didn’t know what to do. He ended up cheating on her, which I think is such bullshit. He never tells her about it and she gets into a rehab center. They worked on getting closer again after she was better. And that’s basically it.
Anthony is the main character in this book. He lived his whole life in the hood in Harlem. He left Harlem and went to Wallingford Academy. It offered more opportunities for him. He thinks about everything in an artistic and poetic way. When he came home he felt as if he was just now seeing, actually seeing, Harlem. Everything was different, from his parents, to his friends, and the streets. His friends had all gotten caught up in the hood lifestyle in the short time that he was away. He realized that it would happen to him to if he hadn’t gone to the Academy. He hates that he had to leave Gabi, but at the same time it was not hard at all for him to cheat on her. After that I couldn’t think of him as anything other than a piece of shit. Others will testify for him and how it’s hard to love someone when they do shit like that. It’s still messed up any way you look at it. He could have ended things with her first or told her after he did that, but did he, no he did not.
Gabi was a poetic person that worked hard and was very happy. Her parents were divorced and her mom ended up getting cancer. Then she had to drop out of school to help around the house. I related to Gabi a lot throughout reading this book. She had a good life and then things got hard. When that happens it is hard to know what to do, or to know what is the right thing to do. Things slip away, dreams, plans, hope. She knew what she was getting into when she started using. Gabi knew they weren’t the answer, what she didn’t know was what was next in her life and that is scary. I understand what it feels like to feel like you don’t have a purpose or that you don’t have any clue what to do sometimes.
Anthony being the protagonist is clear because he is the obvious main character in The Beast. But who is the antagonist? In my opinion the antagonist is more of a setting than a person. Harlem acts as the enemy in the book. All of the problems are linked to Harlem and the hood. Anthony leaves to get away from the hood leaving Gabi to be pulled into the lifestyle that the hood encourages.
Themes for this book are eye opening. One major theme would be how your choices affect your life. When Spoon, Anthony, chooses to leave Harlem, he is choosing to leave Gabi behind to fend for herself in the city. Also he is choosing to leave his whole life that he has grown accustom to. Then another theme would be how everyone has to find their own path in life. Gabi has to find her way when Anthony leaves. She has some difficulties and obstacles, but eventually everything works itself out and she finds her way.
I think Walter Dean Myers wrote this book to show the difficulty and cruelty of living in this lifestyle. The choices it encourages you to make and how it can confuse you and set you off of your path that you once were sure of. The book is written, in my opinion about how hard life can be and how every choice affects your life in many ways.
“The Beast” started out with a boy and a girl saying their goodbyes. The boy, Anthony, was leaving to a new high school away from his girlfriend Gabi. Gabi was hispanic and spoke the spanish language often, sometimes through poetry. Anthony is black and grew up in the ‘hood’, along with Gabi. When he left for school they promised to talk often, to keep in touch. After about two months Gabi stopped replying, her phone was turned off and she never answered the letters Anthony would send. Anthony hadn’t visited since he left. It was Christmas break when he finally came home. When he got home he had found out that Gabi had started using drugs, or as she said ‘skin surfing’. When Anthony had first left is when her life started getting harder. It wasn’t his fault, but he wasn’t there when she needed him the most. Her mom got really sick, she had to drop out of school, and her blind grandfather had to come live with them. She started using drugs and Anthony didn’t know what to do. He ended up cheating on her, which I think is such bullshit. He never tells her about it and she gets into a rehab center. They worked on getting closer again after she was better. And that’s basically it.
Anthony is the main character in this book. He lived his whole life in the hood in Harlem. He left Harlem and went to Wallingford Academy. It offered more opportunities for him. He thinks about everything in an artistic and poetic way. When he came home he felt as if he was just now seeing, actually seeing, Harlem. Everything was different, from his parents, to his friends, and the streets. His friends had all gotten caught up in the hood lifestyle in the short time that he was away. He realized that it would happen to him to if he hadn’t gone to the Academy. He hates that he had to leave Gabi, but at the same time it was not hard at all for him to cheat on her. After that I couldn’t think of him as anything other than a piece of shit. Others will testify for him and how it’s hard to love someone when they do shit like that. It’s still messed up any way you look at it. He could have ended things with her first or told her after he did that, but did he, no he did not.
Gabi was a poetic person that worked hard and was very happy. Her parents were divorced and her mom ended up getting cancer. Then she had to drop out of school to help around the house. I related to Gabi a lot throughout reading this book. She had a good life and then things got hard. When that happens it is hard to know what to do, or to know what is the right thing to do. Things slip away, dreams, plans, hope. She knew what she was getting into when she started using. Gabi knew they weren’t the answer, what she didn’t know was what was next in her life and that is scary. I understand what it feels like to feel like you don’t have a purpose or that you don’t have any clue what to do sometimes.
Anthony being the protagonist is clear because he is the obvious main character in The Beast. But who is the antagonist? In my opinion the antagonist is more of a setting than a person. Harlem acts as the enemy in the book. All of the problems are linked to Harlem and the hood. Anthony leaves to get away from the hood leaving Gabi to be pulled into the lifestyle that the hood encourages.
Themes for this book are eye opening. One major theme would be how your choices affect your life. When Spoon, Anthony, chooses to leave Harlem, he is choosing to leave Gabi behind to fend for herself in the city. Also he is choosing to leave his whole life that he has grown accustom to. Then another theme would be how everyone has to find their own path in life. Gabi has to find her way when Anthony leaves. She has some difficulties and obstacles, but eventually everything works itself out and she finds her way.
I think Walter Dean Myers wrote this book to show the difficulty and cruelty of living in this lifestyle. The choices it encourages you to make and how it can confuse you and set you off of your path that you once were sure of. The book is written, in my opinion about how hard life can be and how every choice affects your life in many ways.
Read
November 7, 2019The title might sound like it's some fantasy, horror novel but it's turns in the opposite direction when you start reading the first few pages. The book starts off by hooking you in, in the first few sentences. It goes into background detail of the main character Anthony and the life he lives outside of boarding school. He lives two completely different lives and think both of them are perfect. Yet to his disbelief, something has drastically changed back home.
Anthony starts off by meeting up with his parents and a few friends when he gets back to his home town. He learns that most of his friends are in gangs but the person he's most excited to see is his girlfriend Gabi. She was a bright, happy go lucky girl but Anthony could tell something was off. He just couldn't quite put his finger on it yet. After going to a party with his friends he decides to stop by Gabi's place on his way home and what he finds goes from comfort to shock. He first sees his sleeping girlfriend and feels rushes of warmth but it soon turns into terror when he sees a needle on her bedside table and he knows exactly what it for.
He thought coming home that he had left the streets and Gabi but the truth is, Gabi and the streets left him. Anthony goes through these hard times alone and makes the choice to cheat on Gabi and never tells her. They go through the heart break and struggles of everything that is going on in both of their lives. Gabi goes into a rehab center and while shes working on her mental and physical health, they also work on their relationship as well.
This book goes through the struggles of drugs, family, relationships and basically growing up. He went off to boarding school and life went on while he was away. The people and things in his life grew, for better or worse and Anthony learned the hard truth throughout the time of him being home. It shows these characters go through many mistakes in their lives but strengthens as well.
Anthony starts off by meeting up with his parents and a few friends when he gets back to his home town. He learns that most of his friends are in gangs but the person he's most excited to see is his girlfriend Gabi. She was a bright, happy go lucky girl but Anthony could tell something was off. He just couldn't quite put his finger on it yet. After going to a party with his friends he decides to stop by Gabi's place on his way home and what he finds goes from comfort to shock. He first sees his sleeping girlfriend and feels rushes of warmth but it soon turns into terror when he sees a needle on her bedside table and he knows exactly what it for.
He thought coming home that he had left the streets and Gabi but the truth is, Gabi and the streets left him. Anthony goes through these hard times alone and makes the choice to cheat on Gabi and never tells her. They go through the heart break and struggles of everything that is going on in both of their lives. Gabi goes into a rehab center and while shes working on her mental and physical health, they also work on their relationship as well.
This book goes through the struggles of drugs, family, relationships and basically growing up. He went off to boarding school and life went on while he was away. The people and things in his life grew, for better or worse and Anthony learned the hard truth throughout the time of him being home. It shows these characters go through many mistakes in their lives but strengthens as well.
October 6, 2025
Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is an African American teenager from Harlem who moves to a fancy prep school called Wallingford for his senior year. When he comes back home only four months later, he realizes things have changed at home. Or, is it just his own perspective that has changed? He realizes the streets where he grew up are more brutal than he thought when he was living there. And, most importantly, he discovers that his poet girlfriend, Gabi, has started using drugs. Will this, along with the new way he feels, destroy the relationship he thought was perfect?
For me, this book was okay. There were several things about it I thought weren't done very well, and one or two things that were. Something Meyers did really well was develop Spoon's descriptive voice. The first person perspective really shined in this book. Spoon is developed as a deeply feeling intellectual. He observes, he wonders, he's introspective, and he learns.
Unfortunately, this is about the only aspect that is really developed. The book is a little over one-hundred pages. However, I feel like the story deserved about one-hundred or so more. I feel like Meyers dipped his toes into subjects that needed a longer story. The lack of depth and quick timeline led the book to feel rushed. Gabi used drugs for at least a couple of months, then she just decides to up and quit with no trouble because of Spoon? There should have been more there. Spoon likes Chanelle but is also still in love with Gabi? That was left very open-ended. It was all a little too simple. There were other aspects of the story that made it somewhat unrealistic.
I would recommend this book because it was a wonderful example of a well-developed main character. Many main characters in modern books I often find are very flat. However, the rest of the plot was just not as well written.
For me, this book was okay. There were several things about it I thought weren't done very well, and one or two things that were. Something Meyers did really well was develop Spoon's descriptive voice. The first person perspective really shined in this book. Spoon is developed as a deeply feeling intellectual. He observes, he wonders, he's introspective, and he learns.
Unfortunately, this is about the only aspect that is really developed. The book is a little over one-hundred pages. However, I feel like the story deserved about one-hundred or so more. I feel like Meyers dipped his toes into subjects that needed a longer story. The lack of depth and quick timeline led the book to feel rushed. Gabi used drugs for at least a couple of months, then she just decides to up and quit with no trouble because of Spoon? There should have been more there. Spoon likes Chanelle but is also still in love with Gabi? That was left very open-ended. It was all a little too simple. There were other aspects of the story that made it somewhat unrealistic.
I would recommend this book because it was a wonderful example of a well-developed main character. Many main characters in modern books I often find are very flat. However, the rest of the plot was just not as well written.
May 25, 2023
I didn’t like it that much. I found the writing to be lacking of substance. There wasn’t much description and they did not
explore certain aspects as much as they probably could have.
With that being said, a lot was covered in 170 pages, but perhaps too much? There were a lot of time jumps and a lot of things that felt as if they were kind of brushed over.
I read it for school, and I chose it because the length seemed the most favourable and the synopsis was the most accurate to my personal literary interests—realistic fiction. But it was just kind of disappointing.
Not only did the writing lack substance in the form of descriptions, but there were times when I just cringed at it. Gabi, the protagonist’s girlfriend, is supposed to be a poet or something, and when she spoke…it was a bit too poetic. I think it sounded a bit forced. It’s fine for the writing to exist a little pretentiously, but only if it sounds natural and…good. It did not. Also, the dialogue was so………. I don’t know. It needed more of a variety with the actual dialogue tags. Also, the AAVE/“street” terms that were used felt a little awkward… because what do you mean he’s your homeboy… be serious. 😭
2.5/5 stars.
explore certain aspects as much as they probably could have.
With that being said, a lot was covered in 170 pages, but perhaps too much? There were a lot of time jumps and a lot of things that felt as if they were kind of brushed over.
I read it for school, and I chose it because the length seemed the most favourable and the synopsis was the most accurate to my personal literary interests—realistic fiction. But it was just kind of disappointing.
Not only did the writing lack substance in the form of descriptions, but there were times when I just cringed at it. Gabi, the protagonist’s girlfriend, is supposed to be a poet or something, and when she spoke…it was a bit too poetic. I think it sounded a bit forced. It’s fine for the writing to exist a little pretentiously, but only if it sounds natural and…good. It did not. Also, the dialogue was so………. I don’t know. It needed more of a variety with the actual dialogue tags. Also, the AAVE/“street” terms that were used felt a little awkward… because what do you mean he’s your homeboy… be serious. 😭
2.5/5 stars.
June 16, 2017
This book dragged. I picked it off my shelves of 'to read' thinking it'd be a quick entrancing book. I have read and loved lots of Walter Dean Myers work so I was stunned when I had to force myself to keep going. I admit I skipped over paragraphs in the book because I couldn't bare to read through them. I felt like my life had been wasted getting through this book.
It lacked depth, it felt as if he'd published an outline of an IDEA of a book but forgot to write the actual story itself. Even for a short story it lacked everything. The characters were boring and bland and the storyline could have been great but it was written with no feeling. The romance felt so fake I can only compare it to the facebook updates of the thirteen year old who is always in love with another person every week "Love my baby Sam!" one week later "My heart aches so bad" hours later "I love you Richard! I'm so glad I have you" you get the picture.
If you like things that lack feeling and you like to feel time drrraaaaaagging by while the other better books cry for your attention on your shelves go for it. But otherwise just send this along to someone who is guilty enough to read through it all.
It lacked depth, it felt as if he'd published an outline of an IDEA of a book but forgot to write the actual story itself. Even for a short story it lacked everything. The characters were boring and bland and the storyline could have been great but it was written with no feeling. The romance felt so fake I can only compare it to the facebook updates of the thirteen year old who is always in love with another person every week "Love my baby Sam!" one week later "My heart aches so bad" hours later "I love you Richard! I'm so glad I have you" you get the picture.
If you like things that lack feeling and you like to feel time drrraaaaaagging by while the other better books cry for your attention on your shelves go for it. But otherwise just send this along to someone who is guilty enough to read through it all.
August 31, 2023
The Beast is a almost heartbreaking and very meaningful that I can't put exact words into how it made me feel. It is a sad and romantic story about two teenagers that are in love named Anthony and Gabi and the girlfriend Gabi has a very bad drug addiction and in the story the drugs are the "beast." This book is definitely not something I really expected because I thought it kind of was about about an actual beast or the antagonist of the story is the 'beast'. Anthony get the opportunity to go to a prestigious school that prep for college. The school is mainly privilege for white kids, but Anthony is black so it is kind of a big change and difference. When Anthony is comes back from that school I can tell how much his lifestyle has change and how much mature and humble he has become, but Gabi is still struggling and has no hope that her drug addiction will get better. Anthony is very desperate to help her and it seems like he realizes he needs to try harder to help her get over this 'Beast' that has been haunting Gabi. This book was good, it wasn't exactly great but it was good and it felt a little predictable and like book that are unlike anything I've ever read before.
May 12, 2017
Anthony is an African American teenager who went away from home to go to a white boarding school in New England. His home town is Harlem and came back after 4 months but he found out that the life's of his friends turned out bad. One of his friends dropped out of schools, another one joined a street gang and others became drugs addicts. He also became un certain when he came back home as if he never been there before. Gabi is a good friend of his that they had a thing before him going to new England and they both promised that they will be together even when he left. But now she overdoses and he tried to help her out from that problem. I like this book because it shows you how your life can change just by simply leaving a bad neighborhood and from bad decisions. And those who stay and go with the bad influences aren't strong minded.
November 16, 2018
in the fiction book "The Beast" by Walter Dean Myers 17 year old Anthony "spoon" Witherspoon is returning to Harlem after 7 months at an exclusive prep school. it's mixed with feelings that he's left New York City in the first place to finish high school in the hallowed halls of mostly white. very preppy new England. But now that Spoon is back home, he realizes how much he's come to like his prep school life and new friends. He's missed his girlfriend, though, and is shocked to discover upon his return that the bright young poet she was when he left has become a drug addict.
I did not like the book in general, it was very confusing to read and just made no sense to me.
I think someone that would like to read this book would be someone who likes to try and figure out whats happening during the story
I did not like the book in general, it was very confusing to read and just made no sense to me.
I think someone that would like to read this book would be someone who likes to try and figure out whats happening during the story
November 11, 2020
Anthony Witherspoon has been gone from his neighborhood for a few months due to school. When he comes back to the neighborhood, everything seems the same but somehow very different. Not much changed, yet everything seems to have changed. What’s more is that his girlfriend seems very different. Turns out that she started using drugs. Drugs, known in this book by the beast, got to her due to stress.
An eloquently written book that creates an understanding of drug usage and seeing from different perspectives. Drugs are never the answer to problems yet so many fall for them to seek relief or an escape. Different experiences shape the way reality is perceived, it is important to try and view the world from other people’s perspectives.
An eloquently written book that creates an understanding of drug usage and seeing from different perspectives. Drugs are never the answer to problems yet so many fall for them to seek relief or an escape. Different experiences shape the way reality is perceived, it is important to try and view the world from other people’s perspectives.
Read
April 30, 2020Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon is staying one step ahead of the Beast, that feeling that drags you down and keeps you from hoping for the best and doing your best.
He’s left the ‘hood in NYC for Hill Academy, a Connecticut prep school, so he thinks he’s far ahead of the Beast. But his girlfriend, Gabi, is left behind, and Spoon hopes she can hang on without him.
When he returns for Christmas vacation, he surprises Gabi at her house. But what he sees surprises him even more.
Read p. 55: “On her dresser was … “
Now Spoon is not sure he’s beating the Beast.
Read p. 29.
He’s left the ‘hood in NYC for Hill Academy, a Connecticut prep school, so he thinks he’s far ahead of the Beast. But his girlfriend, Gabi, is left behind, and Spoon hopes she can hang on without him.
When he returns for Christmas vacation, he surprises Gabi at her house. But what he sees surprises him even more.
Read p. 55: “On her dresser was … “
Now Spoon is not sure he’s beating the Beast.
Read p. 29.
June 9, 2020
This is a story about living between two worlds - Harlem where Spoon grew up and a Connecticut prep school that is the bridge to an Ivy League college education. When he returns to Harlem for Christmas, life has gone on without him and things have changed in ways that make him sad. This book illustrates different paths that come from the privilege that we each have. It is a bit of a slow read, but it leaves the reader feeling very in between.
June 24, 2023
read this in one day, probably didn’t focus on it as much as i wanted to but i’m still stuck on him kissing another woman while his drug addicted girlfriends mother is dying and him not feeling any remorse or regret whatsoever, as well as the complete and utter lack of empathy for his girlfriend aswell. unreal. to be fair some authors like to make their narrators terrible people so idk. my opinion on this book doesn’t matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2017
This was a truly captivating book that had me on my seat the whole time. Myers added the perfect amount of romance and action, and there was no way that you couldn't help feeling incredible sorrow for the characters, despite their mishaps. Description was at a premium, and I myself felt as if I was in Anthony Witherspoon's shoes, living through this catastrophe. I completely loved "The Beast".
October 13, 2017
1. One thing that the author makes curios about is the tittle. Because I thought it was going to be a horror book but it is love story.
2. Something that the main character would never do is to stop thinking about his friends, family, and his girlfriend. Because he studies at New England and all the people he loves live in New York.
2. Something that the main character would never do is to stop thinking about his friends, family, and his girlfriend. Because he studies at New England and all the people he loves live in New York.
October 17, 2025
Took me a while to get through because I put it on hold for other engaging stories. Could have been completed in a day. The fist 125 pages were more interesting than the last 50. Would read other books from this author.
July 3, 2019
Eh. Initially I kind of liked it but I don’t know for such a serious topic it really glazed the surface and didn’t make it a terrifying and scary thing. Just there. Eh. Don’t recommend.
October 7, 2020
A fast read - but many holes in the narrative (see other reviews) - ending hard to buy. Drugs, death, cancer, etc.
May 21, 2018
Myers (Monster ) sketches a provocative picture of an intelligent, likable 16-year-old straddling two worlds: his neighborhood on 145th Street in Harlem and the privileged world of Wallingford, the boarding school where he is spending his senior year. Anthony Witherspoon (or Spoon, as his friends call him) comes from a loving home and has an aspiring-poet girlfriend, Gabi—introduced in the opening chapter, as Spoon departs for Wallingford. In the next chapter, Spoon and his fellow students make plans to return home for Christmas break, and it quickly becomes clear that Chanelle, an Upper East Side New Yorker, fancies him. In a first-person account, Spoon describes the myriad ways things have changed in the three months that he's been away.
A close friend has dropped out of school, Gabi's younger brother has been "gang banging" (trying to get into a gang) and Spoon finds a hypodermic needle on Gabi's dresser. Readers glimpse Spoon's complex universe as he enters a drug den to retrieve Gabi and gets snubbed by Chanelle's doorman when he arrives at her home for a party. Such scenes are tantalizing, yet the ideas introduced seem only partially developed (the chapter about finding the drug den is titled "the labyrinth," and implies that addiction is "the beast," yet Spoon refers to his purposeless childhood buddies in a similar fashion: "They seem as if they're wandering around in some monster maze"). Readers will recognize that Spoon's surroundings have changed but may be left to wonder how those changes have affected him. Ages 14-up. (Oct.)
I must say that I really enjoyed reading The Beast. The story takes place in the city of New York so for a southern girl like myself of course it was a bit different for me to get use to the events which occurred in the text. I usually gravitate towards books of this kind, one where there is drama in the midst of the text and can really draw readers into the text. I must say throughout the course of reading the text, the author truly kept me on my toes. Certain events were truly unexpected, and that’s exactly how I like it! The author truly connected with the aspects of time, setting, and characters in the text. The time and setting of the text correlated throughout, I could definitely envision the time of year and imagine the scenery of the setting. I am almost certain that the author took a great deal of time as he created the characters.
As I read the text I found myself trying to mentally paint a picture of the characters. While reading this book I found myself constantly reflecting upon how the characters felt? How would I feel if I were in their shoes? How could certain events been avoided? How could the characters maintain their relationships? And the list goes on, there were many circling questions? Author Meyers did very well tying in the aspects listed above, as a reader I look forward to being simply entertained, and continuing the text because I just have to know what is going to happen next! One element that I must say that the author kind of dropped the ball would be the conclusion. I was a tad bit disappointed because there were questions that remained unanswered, which left me to assume my very own conclusion! Haha and trust me that’s no fun, lol!
I would suggest to the author that he should follow up with the details in regards to the characters in the text, simply tell us what happens next. The author created a text that was entertaining and as a reader I became fond of the characters in the story, so you must understand that I would like an ending that ties all of the loose ends of the text, because at the end of the day that is what readers look forward to! I could definitely take in the illustrative strategies of this text. When I say illustrative I don’t mean pictures in the text because there weren’t any illustrations, but the author definitely created a piece which allowed me as a reader to create a picture mentally. For my future classroom setting I could incorporate this strategy into a minilesson, where students can learn the importance of painting a picture for readers.
A close friend has dropped out of school, Gabi's younger brother has been "gang banging" (trying to get into a gang) and Spoon finds a hypodermic needle on Gabi's dresser. Readers glimpse Spoon's complex universe as he enters a drug den to retrieve Gabi and gets snubbed by Chanelle's doorman when he arrives at her home for a party. Such scenes are tantalizing, yet the ideas introduced seem only partially developed (the chapter about finding the drug den is titled "the labyrinth," and implies that addiction is "the beast," yet Spoon refers to his purposeless childhood buddies in a similar fashion: "They seem as if they're wandering around in some monster maze"). Readers will recognize that Spoon's surroundings have changed but may be left to wonder how those changes have affected him. Ages 14-up. (Oct.)
I must say that I really enjoyed reading The Beast. The story takes place in the city of New York so for a southern girl like myself of course it was a bit different for me to get use to the events which occurred in the text. I usually gravitate towards books of this kind, one where there is drama in the midst of the text and can really draw readers into the text. I must say throughout the course of reading the text, the author truly kept me on my toes. Certain events were truly unexpected, and that’s exactly how I like it! The author truly connected with the aspects of time, setting, and characters in the text. The time and setting of the text correlated throughout, I could definitely envision the time of year and imagine the scenery of the setting. I am almost certain that the author took a great deal of time as he created the characters.
As I read the text I found myself trying to mentally paint a picture of the characters. While reading this book I found myself constantly reflecting upon how the characters felt? How would I feel if I were in their shoes? How could certain events been avoided? How could the characters maintain their relationships? And the list goes on, there were many circling questions? Author Meyers did very well tying in the aspects listed above, as a reader I look forward to being simply entertained, and continuing the text because I just have to know what is going to happen next! One element that I must say that the author kind of dropped the ball would be the conclusion. I was a tad bit disappointed because there were questions that remained unanswered, which left me to assume my very own conclusion! Haha and trust me that’s no fun, lol!
I would suggest to the author that he should follow up with the details in regards to the characters in the text, simply tell us what happens next. The author created a text that was entertaining and as a reader I became fond of the characters in the story, so you must understand that I would like an ending that ties all of the loose ends of the text, because at the end of the day that is what readers look forward to! I could definitely take in the illustrative strategies of this text. When I say illustrative I don’t mean pictures in the text because there weren’t any illustrations, but the author definitely created a piece which allowed me as a reader to create a picture mentally. For my future classroom setting I could incorporate this strategy into a minilesson, where students can learn the importance of painting a picture for readers.
July 27, 2015
I haven't been reading. I hadn't read for two weeks when I decided I had to categorize the stacks of books by my bed. I had picked up this book because it seem small but interesting. It seemed to mock me from its shelf, so I picked it. When I was organizing the books earlier, I was like, I can't return all these books unread, and so I decided to read this one. I said, "Well, hey, it's small. I can finish this by today." Three hours later I was reading the last five pages.
Part of me didn't put down this book because I was so determined to read again, but a larger part of me wanted to know what happened. This book was something I needed to read. I picked it up at the right time. It has excellent writing and I was so confused as to why I had to look so hard through GR to find it.
The jacket of the hardcover gives you something to think about. It teases you with a boy who no longer connects to his home whose girl has gotten a little lost. It's not a slow read, but it isn't a fast one either. It's set in the perfect pace that makes this novel seem so true. It gives this book life. The writing is smooth and makes you feel like you're there with Spoon and Gabi. It makes you feel the tension in the room and Spoon's fear.
I have no complaints of this book. The opening set the stage for the events and right off the bat made the events seemed like they really happened. The ending was brief and seemed appropriate. Everything in between seemed right.
10/10
This is the first book I read from Walter Dean Myers, and I can tell I'm going to like him.
Edit: I just viewed the page for The Beast on GR and it seems so bad.
The description it gives it makes it sound so boring and lame. "DON'T READ THIS BOOK WITH POC! DRUGS! WASTE! DUMB!"
The characters are so much more than the choices they make. Spoon is goes to a boarding school his senior year of high school so he could get into a college. Gabi writes poems. She cared for her mother. She takes care of brother. Then later on her grandfather. She was so much more than her drug use. It makes it seem like she was addicted but she didn't heavily use them. Yes, her use of Horse doesn't make sense; instead, pot would have been a better choice, but she might of also been depressed.
They also use the paper back cover that makes this seem like a dumb novel. The hardback cover looks way better.
Part of me didn't put down this book because I was so determined to read again, but a larger part of me wanted to know what happened. This book was something I needed to read. I picked it up at the right time. It has excellent writing and I was so confused as to why I had to look so hard through GR to find it.
The jacket of the hardcover gives you something to think about. It teases you with a boy who no longer connects to his home whose girl has gotten a little lost. It's not a slow read, but it isn't a fast one either. It's set in the perfect pace that makes this novel seem so true. It gives this book life. The writing is smooth and makes you feel like you're there with Spoon and Gabi. It makes you feel the tension in the room and Spoon's fear.
I have no complaints of this book. The opening set the stage for the events and right off the bat made the events seemed like they really happened. The ending was brief and seemed appropriate. Everything in between seemed right.
10/10
This is the first book I read from Walter Dean Myers, and I can tell I'm going to like him.
Edit: I just viewed the page for The Beast on GR and it seems so bad.
The description it gives it makes it sound so boring and lame. "DON'T READ THIS BOOK WITH POC! DRUGS! WASTE! DUMB!"
The characters are so much more than the choices they make. Spoon is goes to a boarding school his senior year of high school so he could get into a college. Gabi writes poems. She cared for her mother. She takes care of brother. Then later on her grandfather. She was so much more than her drug use. It makes it seem like she was addicted but she didn't heavily use them. Yes, her use of Horse doesn't make sense; instead, pot would have been a better choice, but she might of also been depressed.
They also use the paper back cover that makes this seem like a dumb novel. The hardback cover looks way better.
Want to read
January 1, 2017Autographed ALA 2004
December 3, 2012
The Beast by Walter Dean Myers is a great teenage read by one of the best young adult fiction writers. Myers has written over 50 novels of fiction and non-fiction. His gritty, realistic portrayal of war, clashing culture, and adult experiences through the eyes of youth has generated both acclaim and controversy. He has won the Corretta Scott King award, while at the same time, being condemned for the language and adult content of his stories. The Beast is no exception. A young adult novel about drug addiction, the clash of two worlds, and a young man’s journey into adulthood extends a hand to any youth going through the whole the same conflict as the protagonist.
The Beast follows a year in the life of Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon, as he attends the college preparatory school, Wallingford Academy, and deals with a conflict in culture, when home in Harlem for the holidays. His girlfriend, Gabi, falls victim to The Beast. While drug addiction is a big part of the Beast, Myers, suggests, the Beast is much more, it’s the poverty of society, the obstacles and distractions that lull a population into misery, depression, and apathy. Spoon is a character that recognizes the horror of this trap, all the while, never truly accepting the alien culture of the upper class peer group of Wallingford. In the end, Myers, offers no consolation. Each character must find their own path, even if it may be lonely and rocky. In the end, it is a rite of passage novel, a coming of age for a teenager in perilous working conditions.
I used this book, in my classroom of 13 special education females. The language and metaphors throughout the novel had to be explained or else the message would go over their heads. However, they enjoyed the realistic depictions of Harlem, and the story held their attentions. It is a story of love and relationship, which to any teenage girl, no matter how tough, seems to appeal too.
The Beast follows a year in the life of Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon, as he attends the college preparatory school, Wallingford Academy, and deals with a conflict in culture, when home in Harlem for the holidays. His girlfriend, Gabi, falls victim to The Beast. While drug addiction is a big part of the Beast, Myers, suggests, the Beast is much more, it’s the poverty of society, the obstacles and distractions that lull a population into misery, depression, and apathy. Spoon is a character that recognizes the horror of this trap, all the while, never truly accepting the alien culture of the upper class peer group of Wallingford. In the end, Myers, offers no consolation. Each character must find their own path, even if it may be lonely and rocky. In the end, it is a rite of passage novel, a coming of age for a teenager in perilous working conditions.
I used this book, in my classroom of 13 special education females. The language and metaphors throughout the novel had to be explained or else the message would go over their heads. However, they enjoyed the realistic depictions of Harlem, and the story held their attentions. It is a story of love and relationship, which to any teenage girl, no matter how tough, seems to appeal too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews