As the trial proceeds Steve shares his inner turmoil about the decisions he has made leading up to the robbery and his terror anticipating a possible life sentence. Other characters include Richard “Bobo” Evans who has taken a plea deal from the district attorney in exchange for his testimony and the dedicated public defender Kathy O’Brien. Steve’s neighborhood acquaintance James King is on trial with him but defended by a separate attorney. Steve maintains his innocence but through flashbacks in the screenplay we learn that his innocence may be somewhat ambiguous. The setting is Harlem, present day and told in first person by Steve who copes with the stress of the trial by writing the events of the trial as a screenplay. Sixteen year old Steve Harmon is on trial for a murder committed during a neighborhood store robbery. I wanted this collection to represent a variety of genres and styles and Monster succeeds on these levels beautifully. Monster was selected for this collection because it is one of the most acclaimed YA books of the past 20 years. Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, 2000 (ALA).Best Books for Young Adults, 2000 (ALA). Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature in 2000.
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