About the book: Steve is accused of being an accomplice to murder, he sits on trial for the Murder. He tries to understand how he got to this point in his life. While in jail he begins to journal the events as a screen play. In the past he hung around the wrong people in the neighborhood. He found himself arrested and in jail accused of being the person who checked the drugstore before the crime was committed. He is being tried alongside a real thug from the neighborhood. Steve has spoken to the guy in the neighborhood and they know his name. His decision to associate with the wrong people lands him in this situation. He is terrified that he will have to spend his life in prison. Afraid the jury only sees him as another black guy, even though he has done nothing wrong. His attorney O’Brian works with him and tries to get him off. She uses the fact that he enjoys making screen plays and films, and has his teacher Mr. Sawicki come and speak on his behalf. His attorney is able to put probably doubt in the jury eyes, so he is found not guilty.
Readers Response: Monster would be a great book to utilize in a middle school language arts class. Since the book is written like a screen play; students could break the book apart and dramatize the story. After the exercise the students could be asked one of Peck’s reflection questions such as; How is the main character different from you? A great book to share about how your everyday harmless actions can be used against you. How the world sees you makes a difference as to what you can get away with or be held accountable for.
Walter D. Meyer's discusses his book Monster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtlkXnf3-vY
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