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"Monster" is a gripping young adult novel written by Walter Dean Myers. The narrative is presented as the journal entries of sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon, who finds himself on trial for his involvement in a murder. In an attempt to make sense of his situation, Steve uses his writing skills to document the courtroom proceedings and reflect on his own identity as a young black man in America. Blurring the lines between perpetrator and spectator, the book delves into themes of race, justice, and self-discovery, ultimately questioning society's perception of guilt and innocence. "Monster" is a thought-provoking and powerful exploration of one boy's fight to prove his humanity in the face of an unforgiving legal system.
Reviewed by: Biana R.
