Monster by Walter Dean Myers

 

Steve Harmon is a monster according to the state’s attorney. Without him a man would not be dead. Steve Harmon is on trail for his life and the outcome has never been more serious. Here is a story from a young mans perspective, he sees his life as a movie, like it is not happening to him. He is in court and spends his nights in jail. The reader sees what happens around him, as it happens to him. This is an incredible first hand account from Walter Dean Myers. The story of Monster was drawn from 600 hours of interviews with incarcerated individuals.

Walter Dean Myers is a very prolific author. In his long writing career he has written over sixty books and won several literary awards. He is essentially the father of the Urban Young Adult novel.

Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers

 

Walter Dean Myers has created a stark and sadly realistic novel of urban youth. Growing up is hard and changing blood brothers and best friends, Jesse and Rise, in different ways. Jesse has his “art thing” to focus on and keep him above the street, but what does Rise have? Rise has power and commands respect that’s why he wants Jesse to write his biography. Jesse puts it down on paper and Rise tells like it is. As Jesse writes his best friend’s biography he realizes how little he knows of the man his friend has become. When Rise starts getting on with drug dealers and hustlers Jesse tries to speak to him through his writing and drawings. This novel is an incredible, gut-wrenching and fast paced read recommended for high schoolers.

 

Walter Dean Myers is the recipent of several literary awards and the author of many books for young adults. He recieved the Printz Award in 2000 for his book Monster. He was born in West Virginia and grew up in Harlem; he now lives with his wife in Jersey City.