Monster

by Walter Dean Myers

A trial refracted through a teenager’s imagination

Regular price $16.27 USD
Regular price $27.12 USD Sale price $16.27 USD
Save 40%

Paperback New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    First-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient

    The source says Monster was the first-ever recipient of the award.

  • Bestseller

    New York Times bestseller

    The source describes Monster as a New York Times bestseller.

  • Editorial selection

    ALA Best Book for Young Adults

    Selected as a Best Book for Young Adults.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A trial refracted through a teenager’s imagination

Steve Harmon is a teenager in juvenile detention, facing trial. Walter Dean Myers presents his story through a screenplay Steve imagines, interspersed with journal entries. That form places the trial alongside Steve’s own efforts to record and make sense of what is happening. The publisher description highlights the consequences of decisions and identifies prejudice and racism among the book’s social themes, leaving questions about Steve’s choices open for readers to consider. The mix of scripted scenes and private writing gives the novel two distinct frames for examining a young person’s experience of the justice system.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teens and young adults interested in coming-of-age fiction centered on a juvenile trial.
  • Readers exploring prejudice, racism, choices, and consequences through young adult fiction.
  • Classrooms or book groups seeking material for discussion about the justice system and personal responsibility.

Themes

Prejudice and racismJustice and juvenile detentionChoices and consequencesComing of age

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

This New York Times bestselling novel from acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teenage boy in juvenile detention and on trial. Presented as a screenplay of Steve's own imagination, and peppered with journal entries, the book shows how one single decision can change our whole lives.

Monster is a multi-award-winning, provocative coming-of-age story that was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist.

Monster is now a major motion picture called All Rise and starring Jennifer Hudson, Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Nas, and A$AP Rocky.

The late Walter Dean Myers was a National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, who was known for his commitment to realistically depicting kids from his hometown of Harlem.

Share this highly readable novel at home or in the classroom--it's sure to spark debate and conversation. Walter Dean Myers said: "I would like young people to consider what happened to Steve Harmon, as well as why. There were decisions that Steve made and some he clearly should have made, but didn't. As the author, I'll be satisfied if the reader forms his or her own opinion about these decisions and the consequences."

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews