Book Review

Monster, by Walter Dean Myers

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

What would you do if you were on trial for murder at the age of sixteen? What would be going through your head knowing that after only sixteen years you could be going to prison for life? This is exactly what Steve Harmon faces in Walter Dean Myers's novel Monster.

Steve is a sixteen year-old black male. He is a good student and claims to be an overall good kid, although he allegedly gets dragged into a robbery that takes a turn for the worse. Steve winds up having to spend days on end in the courtroom. Myers writes about his story of defending himself. Several witnesses claim Steve was the lookout for an armed robbery that left a store clerk dead. He was to remain outside and warn the others if someone showed up. Later on in the courtroom proceedings, he denies his involvement. Steve carries around his notebook and writes down the events that go on in the courtroom and sometimes in his own cell.

Myers does a good job of writing the novel. It is set up in a movie-like format. Myers makes it sound very real the way he uses words like "cut to," "fade in," and "fade out" to add to the play format. Other parts of the book are made to sound like they are taken directly from Steve's notebook, which includes Steve's thoughts about every situation he goes through. Steve's lawyer's name is Kathy O'Brien. I think that one of the best things about Monster is how Myers describes the relationship between Harmon and O'Brien. Steve's attitude toward her in the beginning of the book changes substantially at the end, and the developments will keep you reading.

I thought this was one of the best books I've read all year. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes this kind of fictional drama. Myers knows how to keep readers attracted to his books. I know that I couldn't get my eyes to look away, and I'm sure any reader would enjoy Monster just as much as I did. I advise everyone to give it a try.

-Jay Hebert