Did he lie?

On page 224, O'Brien asks Steve if he was in the drugstore on December 22, the day of the robbery. He says no. But on page 140, Steve writes in his journal that he "walked into a drugstore to look for some mints, and then I walked out." Does this mean he lied under oath? Does this make you question Steve's innocence?

Negative story?

Many students have commented that Monster is a 'negative' story. Do you agree? What makes a story 'negative'? What is a 'happy' or 'positive' story? Is it important to only read stories that are completely happy? What can we learn from stories with difficult plots and characters?

Another question for thought

Many students love the screenplay writing format and many students dislike it. What do you think? Why do you think Walter Dean Myers chose to integrate that format into the book? Why did he include the journal writing at some points in the story?

Here's a question to ponder...

Steve Harmon's defense attorney, Kathy O'Brien, says she wants to make her client look like "a human being in the eyes of the jury" (p. 16) in contrast to the "monsters" who the assistant district attorney claims are "willing to steal and to kill, people who disregard the rights of others." (p. 21) Why do you think Walter Dean Myers named his book Monster?

Monster Comes to Timken!

It's finally here! The 2008 Timken All School Read!
Tell us your opinion about the book and its characters right here. Let's read and talk, Timken!