Monster
by: Walter Dean Myers
Nutshell
Steve Harmon is sixteen years old, and him and "not so close" acquaintance James king are on trial for robbery and murder charges.Steve encounters a lot of different feelings and experiences during the amount of time he is in jail. Steve keeps a journal of what happens in jail and what goes on in the court room. Along the way Steve resizes that every body that is locked up tries to convince them selfs they are innocent, and Steve starts to think that way also. Steve will do almost anything to hurry and return to his life, freedom and most importantly his family. After all attorneys have read their ending statement the jury leaves to make a decision about the two defendants. When the jury comes back they find the defendant James King guilty. The defendant Steve Harmon was found not guilty.
"Its is about being alone when you are not really alone and about being scared all the time." pg. 4
Steve said, “They take away your shoelaces and your belt so you can’t kill yourself no matter how bad it is. I guess making you live is part of the punishment." pg. 59
Steve said, "I was looking for Jerry. They didn't allow kids in the visiting area, which was funny. It was funny because if I wasn't locked up, I wouldn't be allowed to come into the visiting room." pg.156
Inmate 2, "Nah! Truth is something you gave up when you were out there on the street. Now you talking survival. You talking about another chance to breath some air 5 other guys ain't breathing." pg. 222