Myers, Walter Dean. Monster: HarperCollins Publishers, 1999. Print.
ANNOTATION: Steve Harmon is a sixteen year-old high school student charged with robbery and murder, and he may spend the rest of his life in prison. Many people believe in his innocence, but he has to convince the jury, his father and himself that he is not the monster he is accused of being.
JUSTIFICATION FOR NOMINATION: Monster is a gripping, creative drama filled with sharp imagery and focused emotion. Myers tells a compelling story through the eyes of Steve Harmon, who while in prison is faced with the darker sides and deeper fears of human kind; he is vulnerable and honest, digging for truth and understanding in his empty cell. As a young black man on trial, he is forced to face a society that judges him for how he looks, rather than who he is--and has to fight against these judgments to decide who he wants to be.
Monster may be more pertinent to young black men, but the themes of self-discovery, fear and survival makes the story relatable to most teens. Myers uses an incredibly imaginative format to exemplify the various components of storytelling.
This book’s edgy, faced-paced narrative is easy to read but challenging in thought; it will push teens to be introspective while thinking outside of themselves, and will provide them with a new appreciation for the diversity and various dimensions of quality literature.
GENRE: Printz Award Winner
