Monster (Amistad) by Walter Dean Myers Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.76 You Save: $5.23 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.44 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Monster (Amistad)
Book Review: MONSTER
Summary: 5 Stars
MONSTER
MONSTER! Is that really what Steve Harmon is? Steve, a six-teen your old boy an accussed felon of this story. Steve was falsely accused of aiding a robey and being at the scene of a murder. This happens when a small group from a gang the "Diablos" want to make quick money. The boys decide to "hit up a drug store and rob the joint." The boys do not realize the consequences of this event. The consequences are 25 years in prison to life and even to a death sentence. Steve is unable to handle the fact he is facing jail, he writes a journal that he is going to turn into a movie.
The journal is about what occurs in the court room during Steve's trial.
This book is for teens to adults. Children would not be able to grasp how Steve Harman is connected to a crime he was accused of. Also the book might be a little to violent for the children to handle, there is mild violence, and language throughout the book. Teenagers would love this book, it has much meaning to it. For an example the book recieved it's name "Monster" from a statement made by the leading prosecutor about Steve, the defendant.
I absolutely love this book. Once i picked up the book i wanted to keep reading it. Walter Dean Myers does an fabulous job in this book by creating to different views in this book, a movie and Steve. I highly reccomend this book for almost everyone above elementay school.
Book Review: Well written YA novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Monster is a strongly written novel with an even stronger theme. The few characters that are deeply developed, although most are not developed at all, are really able to connect with the reader, and get inside their head. The pacing is very easy to follow with it being very fast paced in most places, although some parts are rather tedious, especially the lawyers' closing arguments. The plot and point-of-view can be a little confusing, because the novel switches from third to first person often, but the important plot points are clear. The setting is shown in a rather unusual way, and it can sometimes be unclear as to where you are, but the movie script does provide an interesting read.Book Review: Steve Harmon - Monster or not?
Summary: 4 Stars
The novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers is a story about Steve Harmon who black, 16 years old and on trial for murder. The story is written like a screenplay but also has narratives that show the what Steve Harmon is feeling. It is a very fast moving drama that goes from the prison to the courtroom and flashbacks of Steve's life and the plot is very believable. Throughout the story, Steve questions whether is a monster or not because he is feeling like that is how the different people in his life see him - his attorney, his parents, the jurors. He struggles with whether he is good or bad. Because even if you were the lookout are you a murderer? Sometimes in the eyes of other people you are already convicted. Steve uses his journal to give you stories about prison and to show his thoughts on his predicament and what is happening each day in the trial. The descriptions that are given of prison life make you feel like you are there with him. This experience changes his life. The dialogue and language change with the scenes and it gives you a clue what the character is like by their speech. In the end, you are left really not knowing whether he did it or not even after the verdict. Book Review: What did she see?
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked MONSTER up while participating in the African-American Read-In Chain, with the notion that I'd probably not choose to finish it. I could not put this book down! I simply had to know what would be the outcome of Steve's trial.
There are a number of touching moments in MONSTER as well as harsh, real moments. He has real, 16 year old fears like going to the bathroom in front of the other inmates. And he also must deal with the harsh realities of physical and sexual violence while in prison. He spends a lot of his time trying to figure out just who Steve really is.
The novel comes to a close with a wonderful and thought-provoking scene between Steve and his attorney.
This book really involved both my thoughts and emotions. Great read!
Book Review: It Was OK
Summary: 3 Stars
I had to read this book for one of my literature classes. My professor and the rest of the class loved this book, but I just thought it was OK. The way the story was written as a movie script was interesting and very unique, but I also found it distracting. I couldn't stay interested with all the cut outs and fade ins. It made it less appealing to me. I also wish that we could have seen more of what Steve thought about the crime. It was very confusing as to whether he was guilty or innocent. Maybe that's the point. Either way, I was confused and distracted. If it was an actual movie, it would probably be more entertaining.