Since it's written like a script, it has been called an "experimental" book. Furthermore, the way the book is written could be a teaching moment for YA students. However, as we talked about when we did our module on censorship, it is worth it to read "banned books" or books that have been challenged for their content for multiple reasons one argument against the censorship of this book would be the overarching themes that are portrayed throughout the story, which have been explained and delved into in previous posts on this blog. It is graphic and raw, and a real life depiction of this trial. Showing a young boy in this light it something that is shocking and could be seen as inappropriate.
The biggest thing that makes this book one that would raise eyebrows is obviously the content. In particular, Walter Dean Myer's Monster would be a tough one to teach, but a rewarding one for similar reasons. In Currins 650, we have spent a lot of time thinking critically about how we could potentially teach the books we've read in our own future classrooms. I also would love to teach this book some day, because it could be helpful for students to see something like this that is based on a true story and try to understand the repercussions of it. My overall personal thoughts on this story is that it is gripping, real, and worth the time to read it. It could start a debate on who was innocent in the crime and who wasn't, how the students felt about the ending and if they thought things should have went differently, the relationship between Steve and his lawyer, etc. This is because of the conversations that could be sparked by this novel, not only about race and self image, but the American justice system as a whole.
Personally, I feel that this book is worth a read at any age, especially in a Young Adult classroom. I would love to see how a room of ethnically diverse students would look at this book and how they would process the events within it. So, obviously, when I read this book that hinges so much on themes of race, difference in class/socioeconomic status, and self-image of a young adult main character, I was constantly thinking of my future classroom. I intend to teach High School English when I finish my teaching degree at UWM, and I personally never anticipated wanting to teach in an urban setting this much. If it seems like I always relate my posts back to Urban Education and teaching diverse youth, that's because I almost always do that while I'm reading and thinking about my future classroom. Is Steve an honest young man? It is up to the reader to decide. Loyalty and honesty are a theme in this novel. I think it is tough for me to say something different was what was already written because it isn't my writing to change, but I felt he was innocent from what I read and analyzed. Something was brought up in our discussion about the role of the jury within the novel. Just crazy to think how a kid his age had gotten into such a serious situation. I also was thinking the whole time how young Steve was. Not only with his unique writing style, but also his way of constructing the plot was truly impressive. Walter Dean Myers made me think a lot in this book. It was much more descriptive which made me feel like I was in the situation The main question is if Steve is a criminal or not.
Monster walter dean myers sparknotes movie#
Going through Steve's mind in a movie script narration was an interesting way of reading and I liked it because I could understand his thoughts and feelings better than had it been written in another style or point of view. I found how racial stereotyping was portrayed in this novel very realistic.