54 pages • 1 hour read
Walter Dean MyersMonster
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1999A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Walter Dean Myers's Monster, 16-year-old Steve Harmon, a Black film student from Harlem, is on trial for his alleged involvement in a robbery that led to murder. Told through a combination of his journal entries and screenplay scenes, the story alternates between the trial and significant past events. Steve grapples with fear, identity, and the influence of those around him as his fate hinges on the court's verdict. The text contains adult language, depictions of gun and physical violence, drug use, and sexual assault.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Walter Dean Myers' Monster offers a compelling, multi-perspective narrative about a young man's trial for murder. Readers laud its innovative screenplay format and deep, emotional impact, making it engaging and thought-provoking. Some critique its complex structure and disturbing themes. Overall, it's praised for its introspective look at identity and justice.
Who Should Read Monster?
Readers who would enjoy Monster by Walter Dean Myers are typically teens and young adults interested in legal dramas and social justice themes. Similar to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, this book appeals to those who appreciate powerful, thought-provoking narratives and diverse perspectives.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
670LBook Details
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Education
Realistic Fiction
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Society: Community
Race / Racism
Education