Book Review: “Monster”

Reviewed by André Duvoisin

Monster, written by Walter Dean Myers, takes place in present day Manhattan, New York. Monster is a suspenseful fiction book about a teenage boy convicted for a crime he did not commit.

Steve Harmon is a black sixteen-year-old boy convicted for participating in a robbery. Steve, James King, Osvaldo Cruz and Bobo are convicted for the crime. Steve learns about prison the hard way and has to survive in its scary walls. Steve believes he is innocent and that is what his attorney Kathy O’Brien is trying to convince the jury. Steve is threatened by the other participants of the crime, saying if he rats on them he will end up hurt. Bobo is trying to put all the blame on Steve and the rest so he will have a shorter sentence. Steve’s parents know he is innocent, but it is just Steve in a lonely cell drowning in fear.

Walter Dean Myers is a brilliant author. Monster will have you wishing for more. It really makes you think about what you’d feel if you were in Steve Harmon’s shoes. I highly recommend this book to anyone over the age of twelve.

André Duvoisin is a sophomore in the Gifted program at Hahnville High School. He enjoys reading, sports and hanging out with friends in his free time.

Editor’s note: Book reviews are published weekly in agreement with Hahnville High School gifted English teacher Deborah Unger in conjunction with the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program.

 

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