A Quick Summary of "Monster" Without Giving Too Much Away

Monster by Walter Dean Myers is about a young, African-American guy named Steve who is on trial for murder. It is evident that Kathy O'Brien, Steve's lawyer, is not fond of Steve and has little faith in him winning the case. The whole book has an interesting format; most of it is written like a film script while pieces of it are written as a journal that Steve keeps in his cell. The prosecutor, Sandra Petrocelli, regards Steve as a monster due to his supposed affiliation with the crime. Her dislike and distrust of him is evident throughout the book. At first, it feels like Steve may only be a monster in Petrocelli's eyes; as the prosecutor, it is her job to prove him guilty. Despite this, as the novel progresses, readers regard the emotions and opinions of other prisoners on trial, of the other lawyers involved, of the judge, and of Steve's parents. The different points of view noted throughout the book make not only the reader ponder whether Steve is a monster, but also Steve himself.

-Kayla Loos