Monster by Walter Dean Myers
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Web ID: 15624851Monster
Monster By Walter Dean Myers Book Review by Camren Mata Teenager Steve Harnon on trial for murder. Steve Harmon tells his own story through diary entries and a movie script. The book's purpose is to warn teenagers about how dumb decisions can really change your life. My reaction to the book: While I was reading Monster I felt stressed. Sometimes it would make me feel kinda nervous for Steve Harmon, since he was only 16 and he was going to trial for murder. Walter Deans Myers helped me understand some issues that are still present in America today. The theme of justice that comes through the writing. This is a relevant theme still. The reason why I chose to write about this theme is because the whole book is taking place in a court, and it's about going through a murder trial. In my opinion I think justice was served cause James king was sentenced to 25 years in jail for robbing a drugstore. Steve Harmon was found not guilty. King was in the store fighting the guy when the gun went off, and Steve was on the outside being the lookout. After reading the book, I would recommend it to adults and teens, because it shows what can happen to you when you hang out with the wrong people. Hanging out with the wrong people can lead to you doing bad things and getting you into trouble. I would recommend this book to people that like documentaries and movies that lead to something and that can make you feel stressed.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Good topics
"Monster" by Walter Dean Myers is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of race, justice, and identity. Told through a unique screenplay format, it follows the story of Steve Harmon, a young Black teenager on trial for a crime he didn't commit. Myers masterfully captures Steve's inner turmoil and the harsh realities of the legal system, making readers question the nature of truth and guilt. The book's powerful themes and engaging style make it a compelling read for anyone interested in social issues and personal narratives.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
More Emotion Needed
This book was something else because it had a lot of flaws and some entertainment while I was reading it. I didn't gain any real connection to the characters because none of them made it easy to gain a real connection to them. The main character Steven, was being convicted of going to jail but I didn't care because it was focused on the reasons why he was in the situation he was in, and not really about some of his background to give me some more connection to him. And then the partial writing that was implemented through the book which I'm guessing is supposed to be based on his writing of how he felt being in the situation he was in, like when he said “I am so scared. My heart is beating like crazy and I am having trouble breathing”. It could have been clearer in some moments because the book also felt very fast when I was reading it. On the other hand, I'm happy they added the writing like that too because it tried to give a little more about the character even though it was partial, and most of the time it was inconvenient because of how quickly the story changes from scene to scene. Then again the book was different from its counterpart the graphic version so I can understand why it was not as easy to gather a connection or meaning for all of this. But at the same time, it was a pretty ok book for its genre overall ⅗.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
I’m obsessed
I picked up this book to read for a school project thinking it would just be a regular murder book but this book had depth in the plot it’s not an average book it is written like the boy Steve Harmons journal entry sort of like a movie narration.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Does the job
The verdict is in (pun intended). This was a really creative and emotionally stirring piece! I enjoyed the perspective that Myers’s presented, a unique look into Steve Harmon’s mind. If Monster was intended to create a film in the reader’s mind, it didn’t. Instead I pictured Harmon sitting, writing in his notebook for entirety of the piece. Although the screenplay-esque-ness of the work gave pans and descriptors, there wasn’t enough sidebar imagery to help me visualize the actual trial. What is clear, Myers wanted to give us something to really feel. He created this work to give us, the readers, and emotional journey questioning the innocence of the men on trial. Harmon even questions his own innocence and as the verdict is presented, the reader’s heart syncs up with Harmon’s, pounding and creating a real anxiety for what is to come. Monster is honestly not one of my favorites, but the writing is clearly doing the job as intended. I’m looking forward to watching the Netflix adaptation.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Both novel and film are excellent!
WOW. WOW. WOW. That is how I feel after having read and then watched Monster, by Walter Dean Myers. First off, the book, albeit super short, was absolutely profound. It hit my Mama heart hard. It's an easy read (I finished it in a couple of hours), but it will absolutely make you think about how life can change in the blink of an eye, especially for our youngsters. The movie was absolutely EXQUISITE! It was actually co-produced by John Legend, which immediately caught my attention. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time - honestly, just as nervous as can be. Kelvin Harrison, Jr. absolutely killed it in his role as 16-year-old Steve Harmon, a young man that is in the midst of this life-altering situation. And Jennifer Hudson who played his mother, was so incredibly formidable. I felt her emotion right alongside her. Jeffrey Wright, who played his father, was also incredible ! Novel: 4/5 Netflix Adaptation: 5/5
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com