Sunday, October 23, 2011

Monster

Myers, Walter Dean. (1999). Monster. New York: Harpercollins.

Image Credit: Harpercollins
Annotation: 

A high school film geek finds himself on trial for felony murder. Through a journal Steve tells the story of his life and trial.

Booktalk:

Is Steve Harmon a Monster? Or just a kid who got caught at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people? Growing up on the streets of Harlem is no easy task. But aspiring filmmaker Steve loves his neighborhood and the tragic beauty it contains. After a botched robbery ends in the horrendous death of a convenience store owner, Steve finds himself in jail and on trial for felony murder.
Steve documents his incarceration and trial in an attempt to grasp the reality of what truly happened that fateful December day. His journal, creatively written in the form of a screenplay details facts and feelings [open the book to any page to reveal the formatting]. Strategically placed pixelated photos convey key emotions and events in Steve's life. Will Steve spend his life in prison or will the truth set him free? Join Steve through the trial of his life and decide if Steve truly is a Monster.


Awards:     
  • ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2000.
  • ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2000.
  • BCCB Blue Ribbon, 1999.
  • Booklist Editors' Choice, 1999.
  • Booksense 76 list, 2002.
  • Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, 1999. 
  • Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, 2000.
  • Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee, Best Young Adult, 2000.
  • Isinglass Teen Read Award, 2002-2003
  • Heartland Award for Excellence in YA Literature Finalist
  • Horn Book Honor List, 1999.
  • Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2001.
  • L.A. Times Book Award nominee, 2000.
  • Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee in high school category, 2000-2001. 
  • Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Literature for Young Adults, 2000.
  • National Book Award Finalist, 1999.
  • New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 1999.
  • New York Times Notable Book of the Year, 1999.
  • Notable Children's Book, The New York Times, 1999.
  • PW Best Books of the Year, 1999.
  • Riverbank Review Children's Book of Distinction


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