Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Monster
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
42 posts | 111 read | 60 to read
This New York Times bestselling novel and National Book Award nominee from acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teenage boy in juvenile detention and on trial. Presented as a screenplay of Steve's own imagination, and peppered with journal entries, the book shows how one single decision can change our whole lives. Fade In: Interior: Early Morning In Cell Block D, Manhattan Detention Center. Steve (Voice-Over) Sometimes I feel like I have walked into the middle of a movie. Maybe I can make my own movie. The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I'll call it what the lady prosecutor called me ... Monster. Supports the Common Core State Standards
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
blurb
oliviascrimo
Monster | Walter Dean Myers

Michael Printz Award Book
April 21st, 1999
Monster is a novel that discuses a trial about a 16-year-old that is on trial for killing a store owner. This book is a young adult book that gives an overview of the trial and all the details from the trial.

review
cm779518
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
Pickpick

Coretta Scott King Award - Monster was a very good book. This book is a ‘banned‘ book but I really liked the plot through it all. A 16 year old boy (Steve) and his friend are put on trial for murder and robbery. Steve throughout the journey thought of the process as a ‘movie‘. Towards the end of the bool we find out that Steve was not guilty of his charges.

review
IndoorDame
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

This was so well done. The thing that spoke to me most about it was the ambiguity, and how it challenged what we‘re encouraged to think of as important in situations like this. #BBRCMiddleGradeModernClassic @LibrarianRyan

LibrarianRyan Great choice. 2y
49 likes1 comment
review
abookishbutterfly
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
Pickpick

The screenplay format was not very appealing to me so I chose the full cast audiobook instead. It was still a bit confusing at times, especially with the flashback cut-ins, but it certainly provides the reader with a lot to think about. Despite not loving the format Walter Dean Myers chose to deliver this story in, I think the topic is important and the message is potent.

blurb
Tera0707
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

My professor gave us a list of books we have to choose from to go along with the assignments throughout the semester. I did research to decide already which ones I want to read. Excited but nervous. Her syllabus is intimidating!

review
BookNightOwl
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

I listened to the audiobook of Monster by Walter Dean Myers and thoroughly enjoyed it. It had multiple characters playing the parts of the different narrators.

I enjoyed how it was written in a different format such as a play or movie script. It deals with a murder, robbery and a look out person. It deals with going to court and innocent to proven guilty. I liked the court room scenes and the thoughts that go behind the minds of the accused. A-

blurb
Graciouswarriorprincess
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

“Monsters don‘t cry in the dark. That‘s what I should‘ve said to him when he looked over, called us monsters.”

I had the opportunity to view an advanced screening of Monster, premiering tomorrow on @netflix .

Sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon is on trial for murder. A Harlem drugstore owner was shot and killed in his store, and the word is that Steve served as the lookout.

Does a single act define you forever?

abookishbutterfly I watched this yesterday, too. I was so impressed by it! 3y
37 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Tachie93
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
Pickpick

Incredible

blurb
Andrea313
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

The freedom to read is one I don't take for granted, and I appreciate Banned Books Week more and more as time passes. #3Books #BannedBooksIveRead
@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

24 likes2 comments
review
vlwelser
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

This was an excellent #audiobook. It's full cast. The story is really good. And it's very short. The mayor of Boston kept putting it on the summer reading list that the library puts out every year. I'm glad I finally got to it. It's about a teen that is on trial for a crime, basically because he is a young black male living in Harlem.

quote
JazzyBanks
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

“You‘re young, you‘re Black, and you‘re on trial. What else do they need to know?” This line hurts my soul because, it‘s true. It should be “Innocent until proven guilty” but in reality it‘s “Guilty until proven innocent”. I have two little brothers 6 and 8 and it scares me sometimes if someday one of them is another Trayvon Martin.

4 likes1 stack add
review
Reggie
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

This was thought provoking. Had you asked me what this was about based on the cover I would have told you it‘s probably about a young black male who is wrongly incarcerated. WRONG. 16yo Steve Harmon is in an adult detention center while on trial for being part of a robbery that ends in murder. I‘m actually ambivalent when it comes to Steve because of what he thinks vs what he does. I feel he‘s an unreliable narrator. I read in a few reviews 👇🏼

Reggie this is taught in schools which I thought was great because what happens when he‘s in the detention center made this 41 yo feel like a dementor was sucking away all my happiness and I am free. This was the YA version of that show Scared Straight. Also, it shines a light on how the justice system feels like it‘s more about perception than facts. Lots to think about in here. Pick. (edited) 4y
Karisa The style of the book is profound too. Using a director's lens to distance himself and tell his story was such an amazing device. I keep a small group set of this novel in my middle school classroom for a book study choice. It's well received by all so far. The debates on whether he's guilty or not have been great. Love seeing students flip back to search for key parts and pointing them out to others as evidence. Too cool! 4y
Reggie @Karisa yeah, I can only imagine how cool it is to see them discuss this book. That‘s awesome you have that for them. 4y
88 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
Amandakay
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

I can‘t even count how many times I‘ve read this book. Love teaching it!

Reggie What do your kids think? I just finished this today? Do they think he was totally innocent. Or he did something wrong? I would totally love to see a group of kids discussing this book. 4y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
JacintaMCarter
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick
26 likes1 stack add
blurb
Manuela...
Monster | Walter Dean Myers

Started: 08/11/2019
End: 19/11/2019
Genre: Drama and Crime fiction
I chose this book because I'm black and could relate to the subject the novel was on.
About: Monster is about a young black man on trial for a murder he did not commit. He writes in movie style script to keep his mind distracted from the injustices happening to him. This is a story through his eyes, and in which he hopes will become a movie.

3 likes1 stack add
review
Sarahreadstoomuch
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

Just finished this for a book group I‘m covering this week (Forever Young-ish YA for Adults). Very fast paced read, shocking at the start, then more introspective. Interesting way to tell the story - as a screenplay- which becomes very effective.

blurb
Samara_Kipnis
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

I would recommend this book to high school students who need help with reading comprehension, because of things like this it really helps the reader see the plot taking place, as in a movie.

review
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

"Steve Harmon's black. He's in jail, maybe forever. He's on trial for murder. And he's sixteen years old."

Thought provoking, tense, & unique. I enjoyed the writting style which was part journaling, part script writting. A short yet memorable read.

#BlackHistoryMonth #ReadBlackAuthors #Blitsy #YA

KT1432 I just got this from Book Outlet and can't wait to read it! 5y
115 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Well-ReadNeck
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

I saw @Amandakay ‘s post this week about teaching this book and remembered I had it just waiting for me on my shelf!!!

This was AMAZEBALLS! Loved the format (film screenplay interspersed with handwriting). As a former trial attorney, I thought they got the push/pull of multiple defendants well. And, I love how there is much left open in the narrative. Would make a great book for class or book club discussion. #24in48

Eggs 🤗Walter Dean Myers 5y
Amandakay Yess!!! I also love it!! Can‘t wait to teach it ☺️ 5y
113 likes5 stack adds2 comments
review
Amandakay
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

Next book I‘m teaching.

Dori_Do_Reads What age group did you teach it to? 5y
Amandakay @Dori_Do_Reads 6th grade so around 12-13 years old :) they LOVE it! 5y
Dori_Do_Reads @Amandakay do you think it could be taught with students who are about 15/16? 5y
Amandakay Absolutely! It has really mature topics and the vocab is great, too! 5y
36 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
overtheedge
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

I have had this on my TBR too long. Tonight it gets read.🙆‍♀️

blurb
Librarybelle
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

Read this years ago...good book! #MonsterMash #OctoberXFiles

Cinfhen I‘ve heard this book is really good. @ElishaLovesBooks have u read it?? Is it too advanced for your students??? (edited) 6y
71 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Well-ReadNeck
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

#OctoberXFiles #MonsterMash

Frank and I are looking forward to this novel ... I have the paperback on my TBR shelf!!!

Allydanielle88 I heard that one is good. How did you get that background?! It's awesome! 6y
Well-ReadNeck @Allydanielle88 I used pic collage (searched backgrounds for monster holding things 😜) 6y
LazyDays Wow I haven't thought of this book is years! I remember that it is sad. Happy reading! 6y
77 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
jwashreads
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

My #Aprilbookishmadness day 11 (that I missed): A book that begins with M. I bought Monster last year, but I haven't read it yet. Has anyone else read it?

Seesydneyread I read it many years ago in my sophomore English class. It was a pretty powerful story if I remember correctly. 6y
Tamra On my TBR, so many I desperately want to read! 6y
alyssa_maee I read this in my first semester of college and absolutely loved it😊 6y
50 likes4 stack adds3 comments
review
Kati15
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

This was my first realistic fiction that I read, and I highly loved and enjoyed it.

Full Review On Kati‘s Bookaholic Rambling Reviews: http://katisbookaholicramblingreviews.blogspot.com/2018/01/review-monster-monste...

Eggs ❤️❤️❤️Walter Dean Myers 6y
Kati15 @Eggs yes this was my first Litsy made me read it book, because I saw so many readers on Litsy read and recommend it. So I had too check it out myself. ❤️ 6y
54 likes4 stack adds2 comments
blurb
PrezBookster
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

My book is traveling to the dealership today! Oil change happening! While I sip coffee and wait....

blurb
PrezBookster
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

My honey is sleeping at a friends after the fight...first night alone in the new OLD house... I may just read till morning lol 😳

JackieSmith This book is super! I used to teach it to freshmen & supplemented with juvenile justice related articles. It was one book that everyone read & argued over. 7y
62 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
PrezBookster
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

Good Morning!

58 likes2 stack adds
blurb
PrezBookster
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

Picture isn't the best but I've had this one for a while and decided it was a good time to start it!

LeslieO I love that one. When my son read it in 8th grade he said if more books were like it he'd read more! 7y
PrezBookster @LeslieO Good to know! My son is starting 8th grade and I will see if he would like it when I'm done! Is it strange that we still like to read a young reader book every now and again? 7y
OrangeMooseReads I liked this one 7y
LeslieO @PrezBookster So much good stuff in middle grade and young adult lit! 7y
42 likes4 comments
review
Ksvz
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

2017 #143 novella audio this was weird. I think the emotional connection was lost because of book hangover from The Force. It was well written with an interesting perspective. Felt YA and would be great for discussion with Writing My Wrongs.

Jess7 I purchased this one from my library's book sale and it was in the #YA section, but it sounded interesting. 7y
Ksvz I never read the blurbs. I always go with the cover art or title or gut feeling. So I'm grinning that it was YA - sometimes it is hard to tell. It was very interesting. If you enjoy it, I recommend the memoir Writing My Wrongs for an alternative view. 7y
5 likes2 comments
review
Missricheyreads
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

Read this one with my freshmen and it was pretty interesting.

review
OrangeMooseReads
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

Another short read. Interesting and well worth it.

27 likes3 stack adds
review
Leetha_rose
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

This is a must read. The voice of the narrator is that of everything we want to believe, he is an innocent black 16 year old that is growing up in a bad neighborhood and made the wrong acquaintances. Is he guilty? Does it even matter?

The format of film script mixed with novel is well done and makes for a quick and engrossing read.

All the feels. All the frustrations with the justice system. A great read for Middle/High School Civics.

10 likes2 stack adds
quote
Leetha_rose
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

"Lying on my cot, I think of everything that has happened over the last year. There was nothing extraordinary in my life. No bolt of lightning came out of the sky. I didn't say a magic word and turn into somebody different. But here I am, maybe on the verge of losing my life, or the life I used to have. I can understand why they take your shoelaces and belt from you when you're in jail."

blurb
Bookdragon69
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

What kind of monster would do this to a book?! 😕Checked this book out from the library and it made me sad. Anything can be a bookmark, why dog ear a book?!

Jenni_Capps 😰😰😰😰 7y
4 likes1 comment
review
frankincense_and_sensibility
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

I love the narration choice in this book! It's about a young man on trial for being an accomplice to murder and it's written like a film script because he excelled in his film class at school. Walter Dean Meyers is such an important writer; I'm glad I finally read some of his work.

9 likes1 stack add
review
Jana
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
Pickpick

As a former juvenile probation officer, the subject of the book hurt me in places. It was such a creative way to tell Steve's story, and the diary entries were particularly poignant but the end felt rushed, like it just tapered off. For all the in-depth, thoughtful moments throughout the rest, it was disappointing. The author did a great job writing from Steve's perspective and it really makes you think about some of the right/wrong/moral issues.

blurb
Wendirella
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

Sunday mornings are the best. Especially with snuggles. #catsoflitsy #Punki

review
HiddenGemBooks
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick


"Monster" is what the prosecutor called Steve Harmon for his supposed role in the fatal shooting of a convenience-store owner. But was Steve really the lookout who gave the "all clear" to the murderer, or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Loved this book. Picked it up because of my innate passion for criminology, it's told in a screenplay with Steve's journal entries tied in. Very interesting format. ????4/5.

WordWaller Oh I've been meaning to read this forever 8y
Larnellmays Wow nice 8y
Tdumatrait Had the chance to meet Walter Dean Myers. I told him how much Monster helped my students and helped me relate to my students. He said that is exactly why he wrote it, to allow people from different areas to connect. He was a true treasure. 8y
Aims42 Read this book in a high school English class, loved it! It has stuck with me even after all the years 8y
40 likes13 stack adds4 comments
review
doodlinginthelibrary
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image
Pickpick

The voice cast on the audiobook is fantastic. The film script style of narration works better for Monster than it does for Myers's Riot, simply because having our narrator doing the job of defining the edits solidifies it as first person point of view and it helps define Steve's characterization.

quote
doodlinginthelibrary
Monster | Walter Dean Myers
post image

"Sometimes I feel like I have walked into the middle of a movie. Maybe I can make my own movie. The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I'll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me. MONSTER."