Notes on Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Overview

• Protagonist: Steve Harmon, a 16-year-old on trial
• Accusation: Involvement in the murder of Mr. Nesbitt, a drugstore owner
• Setting: Harlem, six months after the incident
• Narrative Style: Story is told through Steve's notes and a script he writes

Key Characters

• Steve Harmon: Teen accused of being a lookout during the robbery
• James King: Alleged accomplice in the robbery and murder
• Richard "Bobo" Evans: Alleged accomplice
• Osvaldo Cruz: 14-year-old who claims he was forced to participate
• Kathy O'Brien: Steve's lawyer
• Sandra Petrocelli: The state's attorney who calls Steve a "monster"

Trial Details

Opening Day

• Petrocelli's Statement: Accuses Steve and others of being lookouts
• Key Witness: Prisoner linking King and Bobo to the crime

Steve's Reflections

• Fears & Realizations: Steve reflects on violent memories and fears jail
• Characterization: Struggles with being labeled a "monster"

Witness Testimonies

• Prisoners' Motive: Testify for reduced sentences; credibility questioned
• Detective Carol: Questioned for lack of evidence
• Osvaldo's Involvement: Claims coercion but past violence questioned

Steve's Personal Experiences

• Parental Visits: Strained relationship with his father
• Mental State: Fear of long imprisonment; struggles with guilt and innocence
• Jail Life: Reflects on the harshness and violence within

Key Court Developments

Bobo Evans Testimony

• Details: Bobo implicates Steve as lookout
• Robbery Description: King allegedly shot Nesbitt, stole money

Defense Strategy

• Steve's Testimony: Claims he was working on a film project
• Character Witness: Film teacher supports Steve's character
• Closing Arguments: O'Brien argues lack of evidence for Steve's involvement

Verdict

• Outcome: James King guilty of murder, Steve Harmon found innocent
• Steve's Reaction: Attempts to hug O'Brien, who rejects him

About the Author: Walter Dean Myers

• Birth: 1937 in West Virginia; raised in Harlem
• Background: Overcame speech difficulty, high school dropout
• Career: Joined the army, later became a prolific author
• Achievements: Coretta Scott King Award winner
• Legacy: Wrote over 100 books, focused on African-American experiences

Conclusion

• Themes: Justice, identity, perception of innocence
• Impact: Highlights societal biases and the judicial process