BDCHS Advanced Reading discussion

The class assigned reading was the book "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed how it was constructed. The interesting mix of prose, drama, and memoir made me fly through the book, but overall, it was not a book that particularly connected to me. I was never invested in the characters even though Myers captured me with his writing.

This novel, told in 1st person point of view then in third, takes place with Steve Harmon in jail. The story transitions to slightly different time periods, before and after the alleged incident that turned his life upside down. Steve, a 16 year old boy from New York, was cohered into joining a group of other boys led by James King. Steve, desperate for approval from his peers, joined the group and took part in one of the robberies that they did frequently. While King and his friend, Richard "BoBo" Evans were inside the robbery went awry and the clerk, Mr. Nesbitt, ends up killed.

Steve and the group of boys, including Osvaldo Cruz who was a look out as well, were arrested and sent to jail. Kathy O'Brien is introduced as Steve's defense against the prosecutor, Sandra Petrocelli. Facing a difficult situation, O'Brien and Steve work together to get him an innocent conviction. However, things turn on their head when BoBo decides to testify against everyone in a plea deal set up with his lawyers.

Facing potential life in prison, Steve journals his daily life while also writing a script of what happened. He aspires to be a director and spends his time in jail fantasizing about what will happen if he gets out. Conflict looms ahead as his final days of the trial nears. Steve is battling the preconceptions of poor black males and the fact that he was involved in the crime. When the jury returns and delivers the innocent judgment, the theme is actualized.

Steve realizes that it was not worth all the trouble in order to have friends. He should have stayed true to who he was instead of being a follower. This theme can be applied in my life as well. I shouldn't make decisions about how to lead my life because I want to impress someone else. As a high school teacher, I sometimes see students act one way in class then a completely different way in the halls when they are with their friends. Or they might behave one way when we are one-on-one, but the reverse when they are trying to impress a girl that they like in class. It is not as if they are going to be put in jail for this, but it is important to note that Steve was put in the situation because he was trying to impress some older boys that he thought were cool.

I enjoyed the story overall. I always like reading stories that are written in a unique style. It shows the author has courage and gives an interesting twist to a otherwise, not note-worthy story. I didn't really relate to Steve and think that it would have been nice to know more about him. I know he enjoys his English class, but more background development might have made me feel more for him. As it was, I kind of hoped he would be guilty so that he could express some emotion. As I was reading it, I thought that is what it lacked most... EMOTION. It was detached and I started envisioning it as a play we could do in class. Make it more interesting by imaging how the characters would act or how Steve would react to the results.

In the world of literature, there are many ways to make a book stand out amongst the crowd. Monster seems to do this in an extremely unique way. Not only is the tone different than many other books of its type. It is written as a journal/ movie script. Making it feel more like a play than an actual book. It has a unique cast of characters and a very dark and serious tone. The script is very detailed and well written.
The book starts off like any movie, with some background shots to get a feel for the setting. The setting is a prison in the middle of the Harlem section of New York City. Meanwhile a voiceover starts from the main character as the prisoners get a start to the day. It cuts to just before the court case where our African American protagonist, Steve Harmon meets his lawyer a redheaded woman by the name of O’Brien. The charge is murder against two people. One our protagonist and the other, a man named James King are on trial for the murder of a drugstore owner called Mr. Nesbitt.
As the case begins with the prosecutor, Sandra Petrocelli stating the charges and her opening argument. While several witnesses are brought in, Steve transcribes all of the exchanges in his notebook. One of which is a prisoner trying to strike a deal. Another is a cop who arrived at the scene of a crime and the last is an employee of Mr. Nesbitt who found him dead on the floor and noticed some cigarettes were stolen. A brief flash back occurs where Steve accidentally hits a man with a rock before his friend is beaten up and then threatens to kill the man with an Uzi. After which Steve returns to prison to write in his journal how much he hates prison. The font makes the journal entries look handwritten, a nice touch to add to the feel of the story.
After a brief flash back to which Steve and James are talking on the front steps of his house talking about a robbery, it cuts back to the case where another prisoner on the stand is talking about scoring some cigarettes from a guy who said that they were from a robbery gone bad. He talks for a little while before taking a break where Steve writes a journal entry of how a preacher came in and caused an argument between inmates. Steve has a dream about the court case and then talks about the unspoken prison rules.
We are now back at the court house where the court is taking a break and the officer is discussing his house problems with the judge. The judge then allows Petrocelli to show the affidavit on the crime scene. Detective Karyl is called to the stands and everyone listens as he describes the crime scene with pictures flashing behind him on a PowerPoint. As both sides ask him questions the pattern is clear that Karyl knows exactly what he’s talking about. Much unlike the previous witnesses and he knows Steve. We then flash back to Steve talking with Karyl at the 28th Precinct. Then to a nightmare sequence of Steve being laid out for death by lethal injection.
The next scene shows Mrs. O’Brien talking with Steve about the trial and then we get yet another journal entry. This one is about how one of the jurors was late. So Steve and James sat there for a while and Steve laughed when James tried to scare him. Afterword in the courtroom, Steve listens to Osvaldo as he is questioned by all three lawyers. Then it’s revealed that he’s in with a particularly nasty gang called the Diablos. Then his story begins to fall apart. From there we cut back to the prison where Steve’s dad finally comes to talk with him. Before the chapter ends.

After yet another journal entry by Steve claiming his innocence and talking about his relationship with his dad. Then it cuts to a flashback of when Steve was first arrested while his mother looks on in sheer horror. Then another journal entry appears of Miss O’Brien being angry at Miss Petrocelli. After which another flashback of Steve and King talking just before the chapter ends.
After another journal entry we cut back to the court case where a witness to the crime is being called to the stands. She identifies James King but not Steve. Then the mastermind Richard “Bobo” Evans is called to the stands. From the beginning it is very clear that he is a basket case and mentally unstable. But he does identify Steve as a partner in crime. He then describes the crime before being questioned by the defense attorneys. This reveals that he didn’t really know that Steve actually wanted to be part of the crime and that he was only supposed to be the lookout man. Then the prosecution questions him before he is led out and the trial ends for the day.
After another journal entry, James’s attorney calls two more witnesses before the trial ends. Miss O’Brien talks to Steve about going onto a stand. When Steve goes onto the stand he denies any and all involvement with the case. This is a flat out lie as we can tell from pictures that Steve was in the drug store. But he didn’t actually participate in the crime.
After the last witness is called who is Steve’s film teacher, both sides give their closing arguments before the jury goes to discuss the verdict. The two teens go to the same cell and are both nervous out of their minds, but James is hiding it. After the last journal entry we head back to the courtroom one last time before James is proven guilty while Steve is proven innocent but Miss O’Brien simply walks off, leaving Steve standing there.
In full, the overall realism of the story and the darkness and underlying racism make for a very interesting read. While I particularly didn’t enjoy this book I am sure that many of you will. This seems to be a very unique book in both style, content and even the format itself! I highly recommend this book and give it an 8.5/10 on the grading spectrum. While it is a good read, the content may upset the young readers and the overall atmosphere is a dark and lonely world. Detailing life in prison and a trial that decides whether someone lives or dies. It isn’t a light hearted book and if you are looking for something like that then you must look elsewhere.


Walter Dean Myers