Response Journal. Reflections: A Student Response Journal. Monster Walter Dean Myers

Transcription

1 Response Journal Reflections: A Student Response Journal Monster Walter Dean Myers P.O. Box 658, Clayton, DE Copyright 2005 by Prestwick House, Inc., P.O. Box 658, Clayton, DE Permission to copy this unit for classroom use is extended to purchaser for his or her personal use. This material, in whole or part, may not be copied for resale. ISBN Item No

2 Monster To The Teacher In order to allow the teacher maximum flexibility in his or her approach, we have grouped the prompts by sections. The teacher may, therefore, assign specific prompts or allow the students to select one or more prompts from each section For Monster, we also have these materials: Book Teaching Unit See our catalogue, visit our web site at or call for more information. Note to teachers: This book deals with the incarceration and trial of a teenage boy who is accused of murder. The novel contains references to sexual assault, serious problems in jail, and detailed descriptions of a murder scene. 2

3 Response Journal To The Student Although we may read a novel, play, or work of non-fiction for enjoyment, each time we read one, we are building and practicing important basic reading skills. In our ever-more complex society, in which reading has become more and more crucial for success, this, in itself, is an important reason to spend time reading for enjoyment. Some readers, however, are able to go beyond basic reading techniques and are able to practice higher thinking skills by reflecting on what they have read and how what they read affects them. It is this act of reflection that is, stopping to think about what you are reading that this journal is attempting to encourage. To aid you, we have included writing prompts for each section; however, if you find something that you wish to respond to in the book more compelling than our prompts, you should write about that. We hope you enjoy reading this book and that the act of responding to what you have read increases this enjoyment. After you read the indicated sections, choose the questions to which you will respond. Keep in mind that there are no right or wrong answers to these prompts, and there is no one direction in which you must go. 3

4 Student Name Class Record Sheet

5 Monster Response Sheet Name Section Date 5

6 Monster Introduction 1. You ve probably heard the phrase you can t judge a book by its cover. Before you begin to read this book or even turn it over, examine its front cover. Using only the front cover of Monster as a basis, write a short paragraph that explains what you think is the subject matter of this book. 2. We don t yet know the name of the narrator of this book, but in the introduction, he tells us that his story is about being alone when you are not really alone. In other words, his story is about feeling alone, even when you are around lots of other people. All of us have probably felt like that at one time or another. This is a common feeling most people have, even those you would think never feel left out or alone. In a short, two-paragraph essay, describe a time when you were in a group of people, yet felt like you were alone. 3. The narrator says that he thinks of his life like a movie. If you were making a movie of your life, which actors would you choose to play yourself, your parents, and a few relatives and friends? Make a three-column list. In the first column, list the people you want to be in the movie; in the second column, list the actor you want to play each character; and in the third column, write a sentence explaining why each actor would do a good job portraying each person. 6

7 Response Journal Monday, July 6 th 4. You ve probably noticed that this novel is written mostly as a film script. This is probably different from the novels that you re used to reading, since most novels are written in paragraph form. Select a scene from this section of the book and rewrite it in the more familiar paragraph form. 5. Steve Harmon is the book s narrator. He is sixteen years old, and he is on trial for murder. As he enters the courtroom for the first time, he is obviously scared. Write an to Steve, calming his fears about facing his trial. 6. Kathy O Brien is Steve s defense attorney. It is her job to prove that Steve was not involved in the murder of which he is accused. O Brien says that [her] job is to make sure the law works for [Steve] as well as against [him]. This seems like an impossible job. Write a dialogue between yourself and a classmate, discussing what O Brien means when she says that she is working both for Steve and against him. You might begin like this: Classmate: I don t get it. How can Steve s lawyer work for him and against him at the same time? You: Well, I think what she really means is 7

8 Monster 7. As he sits in court, Steve scribbles words into a notebook. When O Brien asks him what he s doing, he says that [he s] writing [his experiences] down as a movie. In fact, what we re reading is the movie script that Steve is writing. Take an event that has happened to you today and write it in the form of a movie script, just the way Steve does. Here is a sample; you may use something similar to this or create your own: Scene I Interior: A darkened bedroom. There are posters on the wall, mostly depicting sports figures and rock stars. Dirty clothes are scattered around the floor. The camera moves in on a body-sized lump on the top of a bed. From this angle, it s impossible to tell if the lump is a person or just the wadded-up bedclothes. Suddenly, an alarm bell rings. Me: Arrrggghhh! What? I just got to sleep. A voice calls from outside the bedroom door. Unseen person: Are you getting up today, or what? Me: Okay, okay. Give me a break. I just 8. Steve goes into a short, but very specific description of the characters as they are introduced. For example, the judge is tall and thin [with] wispy white hair. He is also 60 years old [, and he] already looks bored. Through this description, we get a pretty accurate portrayal of the judge. We know that he is older, his hair is thinning, and because he looks bored, he s probably not very interested in the trial. Imagine that you are a character in Monster. Write a detailed paragraph in which you describe yourself as Steve would describe you. Remember that Steve s descriptions include both physical and personality traits. 8

9 Response Journal 9. As an icebreaker, something to lighten the mood in the courtroom, the judge asks the lawyers how they enjoyed their Fourth of July holiday. Asa Briggs, the lead attorney for the defense of James King, makes a good natured comment about going to a barbecue and playing baseball, but Kathy O Brien says that with all of the fireworks, [the Fourth of July] is [her] least favorite holiday. Think about the holiday that is your least favorite. Write a list of at least 10 things that you dislike about that holiday. Then, using at least four of the things you hate about it, write a poem that explains how horrible that holiday is. Keep in mind that not all poems have to rhyme. 10. Before the trial begins, the action cuts to a flashback, something that happened earlier, when Steve was sitting in a film workshop at his high school. In this scene, he and his film teacher, Mr. Sawicki, debate whether a film the group just watched was any good. Whether a movie is good depends largely on the person who is watching it. Not every film appeals to all people. As a reporter for your school newspaper, write a short review of a movie you have seen recently. Your review should tell your readers whether you liked the film overall, as well as specific things you liked or disliked about it. Include whether you d recommend that other people see the movie. Through Ms. Petrocelli s speech, her opening argument in the trial, we get a viewpoint of the case to be tried and the people who are involved in it. Using this information as a basis, write a news story about the trial that could be used on a newspaper website. Newspaper articles try to say everything quickly, and the writers try to put it all in the first paragraph. After that, the writers can expand and supply extra details, but in the first paragraph, they include who, what, when, where, how and sometimes why. See if you can include these elements in your first paragraph, then expand on the information in the rest of your story. 9

10 Monster 11. The title of this book comes from what Steve is called in court: he is labeled a monster. If you could choose one word to describe yourself, which word would you choose? Select the one word that best describes you and, in a wellconstructed paragraph, explain why that word really expresses your personality. Some examples of one-word descriptions are: happy, anxious, friend, confident, etc. 12. In her opening statement, O Brien says that the law that protects society protects all of society, those who are the victims as well as those who have committed the crime. Write an opinion letter to your local congressperson, stating whether you think that our court system is fair to everyone. You may choose to begin like this February 15 th Congresswoman Jones, I live in your district, and I would like to take a moment to explain to you my views on our legal system. Some people argue that our justice system is unfair. My belief is that 10

11 Response Journal 13. At the beginning of the trial, Jose Delgado, a clerk at the drugstore where Mr. Nesbitt was killed, testifies. Among the things he is asked is whether he knows about martial arts and if the police ever visited the drugstore. These points seem a little strange to consider. What does it matter what Jose s hobbies are? What difference does it make if the police would stop by the drugstore occasionally? Write a note to a study partner, who just doesn t get it, explaining why a lawyer would ask Jose such questions. 14. The whole point of having a trial is to find out who is lying and who is telling the truth about an incident. Many people believe that you can learn how to tell if someone is lying, just by watching how that person moves his or her body or by noticing the inflection of the person s voice. Make a list of times when you think it might be proper or best to not tell the truth to someone. Then, write paragraph or two that would state an opinion about why the whole idea of lying is wrong. 11

12 Monster T uesday, July 7 th 15. As you read this novel, keep a list of all the words and phrases that you learn that deal with law and criminal justice. At the end of the novel, you will have created a glossary of them. Write the word or phrase and its definition. Here are a few to get you started B&E Breaking and entering; the act of breaking into a building. Defendant The person who is accused of a crime. 16. In Steve s third flashback, Peaches, a woman from his neighborhood, complains that politicians want to cut Social Security, Welfare, and anything else that makes life easy. Write a posting for the Lobbyists for Social Reform website. In your posting, express your views about whether social programs like Welfare and Social Security should continue or should be stopped. Your posting should address these questions: Do these programs work? Are they costeffective? If we discontinue them, what kind of alternative programs should replace them? 17. Steve thinks back to an afternoon with his younger brother. As the two of them horse around, they try to decide which they would be if they could become superheroes. If you could have one superpower, one power that a superhero possesses, which one would you want? Write a short essay in which you explain which superpower you would like to have. Make sure to thoroughly explain why you would like to have that ability. 12

13 Response Journal W ednesday, July 8 th 18. Steve is upset by one of his dreams. In fact, he is so shaken by the dream that he cannot go back to sleep. Describe a recent vivid dream that you have had. Make sure that you explain how the dream made you feel. For example, were you scared or angry by the dream? 19. Among other things, Steve is scared of appearing weak in front of the other prisoners. He says that it s not good to be weak in jail. Sometimes, though, it may be good to be weak or vulnerable. After all, we all rely on someone else at one time or another. Write a letter to Steve, explaining to him a time when it is okay to be weak. 20. This novel jumps back and forth between what s happening in court and what happened to Steve before he was arrested. This may be confusing to some readers. Write a short, two-paragraph guide for Monster, explaining why the author, Walter Dean Myers, switches back and forth between what is happening in the courtroom and what has happened to Steve in the past. Try to explain the technique and reasons for it to a younger sister or brother. 13

14 Monster 21. In his discussion with Steve, an older prisoner argues that if a person commits a crime, he should be punished. The prisoner says that giving a convict a break just because he s young don t count when a guy dies. People have argued for years over whether the punishments that criminals are given fit their crimes. Many people think, for example, that if a person under the age of 18 kills someone, he or she should not be subjected to the death penalty. At such a young age, these people argue, a criminal has no idea of the impact of the crime. On the other hand, though, shouldn t those who commit murder be subject to death, regardless of their ages? Some people may argue that murder is murder, no matter who commits it. Therefore, the age of the offender is not an issue. Write an article for the editorial section of a local newspaper. Remember that an editorial is different from a news story. Editorials express opinions backed up by facts, and articles are supposed to state just facts with no opinions. In your editorial, argue whether teenage offenders who commit murder should receive the same punishment as adults who commit the same crime. Make sure that you include at least three points to support your opinion. Give the editorial a catchy headline. 22. This novel deals with breaking laws. When you think about it, laws are only rules. They are the rules that we all must follow in order for society to function smoothly. The purpose for laws, at least theoretically, is to keep society orderly and to make sure that all people are treated fairly. Even so, some people think that some rules are unfair and should be changed. If you could change one rule by which you have to live, a law, a school rule, or a rule that you have to follow at home, which one would you change? In a short journal entry, name a rule by which you live that you think should be changed. In your entry, explain why you think that rule is unfair, and offer an alternative to the rule. 14

15 Response Journal 23. O Brien fears that the jurors, regardless of what s said in court, already think that Steve is guilty. After all, she says, Steve is young, Black, and on trial. This attitude shows a lot of racial prejudice. Write a note to one of the jurors, explaining why he or she should not think that Steve was involved in the holdup just because he is a young black man. 24. It keeps being brought up that Steve is a monster. Monsters play a big role in fiction, from Count Dracula and Frankenstein to Michael Myers, and Freddy Kruger. Sometimes, monsters are portrayed as being real creatures like vampires, werewolves, or dragons. Other times, monsters are figurative things that stand for fears that we all have, like the fear of death or being buried alive. In your opinion, is there such a thing as a monster, real or imagined? What is your definition of a monster? Write a short speech about the existence of monsters. Offer your opinion about whether there are such things as monsters in the modern world. 25. Often, people on trial are judged according to the way they look. You may have seen trials on TV, for instance, where the defendant comes into court well-groomed and wearing a nice suit instead of a prison uniform. Defense lawyers often counsel their clients to dress nicely to make the jury think that such a well-dressed person could not possibly have been evil enough to commit a crime. It s not unusual for someone to judge another person based solely on that person s appearance. Write an article for a fashion magazine, telling your readers why it is not a good thing to judge people simply by how they re dressed. 15

16 Monster 26. When Osvaldo provokes Steve, Freddy tells him to stop because Steve hangs with some bad dudes. As the old saying goes, Steve is judged by the company he keeps. If Steve hangs out with bad dudes, he must also be bad. Write a post for an online message board for teenagers. In it, offer advice about how to avoid being judged by others based solely on your friends. 27. You ve probably noticed the use of slang in this novel. Slang is used a little bit more in Monster than in other books. The author did this to make his novel more believable. After all, we don t always speak in grammatically perfect English, even if we re expected to write that way. Slang is usually invented language, offering shorthand for information or else changing words so their definitions are different. The whole idea of slang is usually to speak in a way that you and your friends can understand, without letting anyone else know what you mean. Even so, there are many slang terms that almost everybody knows. Create a slang dictionary of at least 15 terms. For your dictionary, write the term, its meaning, and then use it in a sentence to detail its meaning. Remember, dictionaries list items alphabetically. If you know grammar well, include the part of speech for each entry. Here are a couple of terms to use as examples: Cool (adj.) highly desirable or greatly fashionable. Example: I got a cool new shirt to wear to the dance on Saturday. Dudes (n) young men. Example: I saw a couple of mean-looking dudes talking over by the soda machine. 16

17 Response Journal Thursday, July 9 th 28. Steve reflects on who he is and what kind of person he is. Who, he asks, is [the real] Steve Harmon? What would you say if you were asked to describe yourself? Who is the real you? Write a listing for a Who s Who website. For the website, state your name and age, and explain who you are: where you go to school, what s important to you, your likes and dislikes, your hobbies, and your personality type. 29. When Steve returns to the courtroom, a teacher has brought a junior high school class on a field trip to observe the trial. The situation is awkward for Steve and, we could imagine, pretty strange for the students. In a short paragraph, describe the most unusual field trip you have ever had. Make sure to explain where you went on the trip and what made the trip so strange. 30. O Brien tells Steve that if [he] give[s] up, [the jurors] will give up on [him]. Write a few pages for a children s book about why people should never give up on something they believe. 17

18 Monster 31. Rather than admitting that he was partly responsible for the robbery, Osvaldo says that he made a mistake. Write a dialogue between two classmates who are studying this book, arguing whether the robbery was a mistake or whether the people responsible for it planned what happened. You might start like this Classmate #1: These guys went into that store for one reason and one reason only: to rob it. I think they always planned to kill anyone who got in their way. Classmate #2: Maybe, but you know what it s like when you re around your friends. You start acting crazy and going along with the crowd. Maybe what really happened was 32. Osvaldo thinks he s a tough guy. He s a member of a gang, which requires that he cut a stranger to prove his bravery. What does it take, though, to really be a tough guy? In a short paragraph, explain what it takes to be a strong person. Do you agree with Osvaldo s view of bravery, or do you think that being tough means something else like overcoming a personal tragedy or having strength of character? 33. Steve had never seen his father cry until he came to the jail. Steve is surprised by his father s reaction. Think about a time when you were surprised by something someone did, whether what that person did was good or bad. Then, write a short essay of at least three paragraphs in which you compare and contrast your experience with Steve s. How are the experiences similar? How are they different? 18

19 Response Journal 34. The term gun control refers to the government s restricting the use of guns. Some people think that criminals can get guns too easily, while others say that all Americans have the right to keep and bear arms, and, therefore, the government should have no say over who can have guns. Using what happens in this book as an example, write a letter to the head of a gun control group, explaining whether you think that gun ownership should be restricted. 35. This book deals with a lot of serious social issues: gun control, racism, violence, and gangs, just to name a few. We all have thought, at one time or another, If I ruled the world, things would be different. If you could actually control the world, how would you fix some of the social problems we have? Choose one of the following topics and write a well-constructed paragraph about it, explaining what you would do to fix that problem if you had unlimited power: Racism Poverty Gangs Violence Crime Drug Abuse Child Abuse 19

20 Monster 36. Most parents would be upset if their child were accused of murder. After Steve was arrested, his mother was so upset that she didn t even ask where the police were taking him. As for Steve s father, just talking to his son has caused him to break down into tears. Write a dialogue among a crisis interventionist and Steve s parents, helping Mr. and Mrs. Harmon to sort out their feelings about the trial. Here s a good way to begin Interventionist: Thank you for coming here, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon. Mr. Harmon: No problem. Interventionist:So, your son is on trial for murder. Do you want to tell me what happened? Mrs. Harmon: I still really don t understand it. They took my boy away without even discussing it with me and now 20

21 Response Journal Friday, July 10 th 37. When Petrocelli shows the jury photos of the murder scene, Steve says that he [doesn t] want to think about [the pictures] or know about them. He thinks about writing about the pictures in his journal, but in the end, he just can t bring himself to do it because they are so awful. Since Steve can t bring himself to write a journal entry about the pictures, you can do it for him. As Steve, write an entry in your journal about the crime scene pictures, pictures that include images of the bloody body of Mr. Nesbitt. 38. When Steve gets back to jail, he is made to mop the floors. This is a chore that he hates to do because it is hot work and the wet mop becomes heavy. Write a long note to the person who assigns you work to do. The note should be about chores at home or work or the school job that you hate the most. Make sure that your paragraph includes at least two reasons why you hate that job. 39. More than anything, Steve wants to be away from jail. It doesn t really matter where he goes Steve just wants to leave the building. If you could go anywhere to just get away, where would you go? Write the text for a travel brochure for your dream destination to get away from it all. In your brochure, try to convince potential travelers that your dream destination is the perfect place to vacation. If you are artistic, you might even include some art work a collage, drawing, photo, etc. 21

22 Monster 40. Through all the different testimonies we read, as well as through what Steve has told us in his journal, we can start to piece together what really happened in the drugstore. Juries work the same way: they take all the information that is given, sift through it, and try to come up with the truth. Using the information we ve been given so far, write a police report that describes what happened in the drugstore. A good way to begin may be Wed., December 22nd 5:15 p.m. Case: Nesbitt robbery and murder Description: At approximately 9: 21 a.m., a 911 call was received by the emergency center. Patrolmen were called to the Quick Drug store on 5 th and Marshall. Neighbors had reported that they heard gun shots. Upon arriving at the scene, patrolmen 22

23 Response Journal Saturday, July 11 th 41. Whether or not Steve committed murder, he is certainly guilty of wanting to hang out with the tough kids in his neighborhood. From Steve s point of view, write a letter to a friend in your neighborhood, whose behavior is bothering you. In it, explain why he or she should be careful about hanging out with the wrong crowd. 42. Steve often thinks about what his sentence will be. The penalty for felony murder is 25 years to life in prison. If he were convicted, Steve would probably have to serve at least 20 years of the sentence. Steve wonders, among other things, what he will be like in 20 years. Lots of people have goals or plans of what they want to do in the future. Where do you think you will be in 20 years? Write a two- to three-paragraph essay that explains where you think you will be in 20 years time. Include information such as: Will you be married with a family? What kind of job will you have? Where do you plan to live? 43. No matter what anybody says, Steve s mom believes that he is innocent. It is wonderful to have someone in your life who completely believes in you, especially when you doubt your own abilities. When celebrities receive awards, they often thank the people who have shown their faith in them, just like Steve s mom shows her faith in him. Write an acceptance speech of your own in which you thank the person who is your greatest supporter. Make sure that you explain what that person has done for you and how he or she has changed your life. 44. Steve wanted to be cool and hang out with James King and Bobo, but look where it got him: on trial for murder. In a way, Steve has given into peer pressure. He wanted to be accepted by his peers, at the expense of being a suspect in the murder of a man. Using this as a basis, write a short, three-paragraph article for your school paper, describing the dangers of giving in to peer pressure and how this kind of pressure is felt by students in your school. 23

24 Monster Sunday, July 12 th 45. Movies are usually fantasies stories that are made up. We watch movies to escape from the reality of our own lives. In movies, everyone is beautiful, the good guys win over the bad guys, and, in about two hours, any problems brought up in the film are resolved. In Steve s case, though, his movie is more real to him than what is actually happening to him. His fantasy affects him more than his reality. Write an to a study partner who has missed two days of reading Monster, explaining why Steve s movie, the creative interpretation of his life, is more real to him than what s actually happening to him. You may choose to begin like this To: Study Partner From: Me Date: July 17 th RE: Steve s movie Hi, I was wondering about how Steve s movie seems more real to him than his own life. I think 24

25 Response Journal Monday, July 13 th 46. Mrs. Henry, a retired librarian, was in the drugstore the day the murder occurred. She didn t witness the crime, though. When she heard about the robbery and murder, she went to the police to tell them what she saw. Many people would have chosen, instead, to not become involved in the case. Write a commendation to be presented to Mrs. Henry for her bravery in coming forward to testify in the murder trial. A good way to start might be Citation Be it known that Mrs. Henry, a citizen of our city, has shown outstanding bravery in 47. At this point in the novel, we ve been introduced to all of the major characters. Of all of these people, which one do you think you d most like to meet? Which character would you least like to meet? Write two separate paragraphs, one in which you explain which character in Monster you would like to meet and the other in which you explain the character you would most dislike to meet. In each paragraph, be sure to use plenty of examples to support your opinion. 48. Steve expresses himself through the movie he is writing. How would things be different if steve were a poet? Pretend that you are Steve, write a poem that reflects the horrible conditions in jail. Remember, not all poems have to rhyme. 25

26 Monster 49. Sometimes, it is difficult to understand what Bobo says on the witness stand because he uses so much street talk. Rewrite Bobo s testimony in more formal language so that it can be better understood. 50. Both Osvaldo and Bobo have been offered plea bargains. A plea bargain means that if they testify against someone else in the case, their own sentences will be reduced. On one hand, this is a way to get hardened criminals to tell the truth, but on the other hand, the people who accept plea bargains get lighter punishment for their crimes. Write a letter to a local judge, arguing whether criminals should be given an opportunity to plea bargain. 51. For his movie, Steve writes a cartoon for the part of the trial where Petrocelli says that the people rest. In the cartoon, a busy city stops while people in cars, on the sidewalks, and in buildings instantly fall asleep. As Steve says in his notes, the people are resting. Steve s cartoon takes a literal interpretation of an idiom, a word or phrase that can have two different meanings, one literal and another that is figurative. Write five sets of sentences that use idioms. Write the first sentence in each set by using an idiom. Then, rewrite the sentence so that it has the same meaning, but doesn t use an idiom. Here are a couple to get you started: Sam threw his back out when he lifted the box. Sam injured his back when he lifted the box. Mark hit the ceiling when he found out that Dave totaled his car. Mark became very angry when he found out that Dave wrecked his car. 26

27 Response Journal T uesday, July 14 th 52. Steve wonders how he could ever explain to Jerry what s happening to him. Write a letter to Jerry, trying to explain to him what you, as Steve, are going through. You could begin like this or use a beginning of your own: Dear Jerry, You know I ve been away for a while. It will be hard, but let me try to explain what s happened to me. One day, a few months ago 53. Two inmates argue about telling the truth. On one hand, lying when you testify may get someone else convicted, while you go free. On the other hand, some people think they have a moral obligation to tell the truth. On top of that, if you get caught lying in court, you could be punished with jail time. Imagine that you are an elementary school teacher. Write a presentation about lying that you will give to your students. Using real-life examples, tell your students why it is always better to tell the truth than to lie. You may choose to begin like this Good morning, children. Today, we re going to talk about lying. Do you all know what it means to lie? Well, it means 54. When Mr. Sawicki testifies, he says that Steve s films show what Steve is thinking. Steve s art, filmmaking, reflects his life. Some critics think that artists, musicians, writers, painters, sculptors, actors, or filmmakers, must have some experience in a subject in order to portray it properly. These critics think, for example, that unless an actor grew up poor, he or she cannot accurately portray a character who is poor. Write an article for a movie magazine, describing your views about whether a filmmaker has to live a situation in order to make a good movie about it. Does a director have to be a gangster, for example, to make a good movie about gangs? Does a director have to be able to sing or play an instrument in order to make an effective musical? 27

28 Monster 55. In her closing argument, Petrocelli says that, even though Steve wasn t in the drugstore when the robbery happened, he is just as guilty as the men who committed the crime, because he knew about it and did nothing to stop it. Write a short piece for a Police newsletter, explaining whether you think that people who know a crime will happen, but do nothing to prevent it should be prosecuted the same way as the people who actually commit the crime. 56. Both sides of the case have been presented. Now, it is up to the jury to decide what happens to each of the accused. Write a dialogue between two jurors who must decide Steve s fate. One juror thinks that Steve is guilty, and the other thinks that he is not guilty. Here is a way to start: Juror #1: Harmon was not involved in this murder. The only people who say they saw him there are the other men who admitted to killing Nesbitt. They admitted it; let them serve the time. Juror #2: Are you kidding? This kid s got to be guilty. He said he doesn t remember where he was when the robbery happened? What about 57. The jurors play a very important role in this novel, even though the action in the book doesn t really focus on them. In the United States, any adult from any walk of life can be called to be a juror. Write a handout to be given to potential jurors, explaining the trial process and giving them advice on what they need to do to make the best decisions in the trial. 28

29 Response Journal Friday afternoon, July 17 th 58. Petrocelli thinks that Steve made a moral decision that led to his role in the robbery and murder, but Steve doesn t remember just what that decision was. Everyone makes minor decisions every day that may drastically affect what happens to him or her later. For instance, what if a person makes a phone call from home that makes him 10 minutes late for school. Then, driving to school 10 minutes late, he comes upon an accident on his normal route to school. If he had left on time, he might have been involved in the accident, too. The small decision this person made saved him from danger. In a short paragraph, describe a time when you made what appeared to be an insignificant decision, only to have it drastically change your life. 29

30 Monster December, 5 months later 59. Steve questions what Miss O Brien saw in him when she turned away from him after the trial. He reached out to hug her, but she just walked away from him. Write a short note to Steve, explaining why Ms. O Brien refused his embrace and, instead, walked away from him. You may choose to begin like this Steve, Congratulations on winning your trial. I know you are wondering about Miss O Brien and why she ignored you after the trial was over. I think her problem is 60. Steve is set free at the end of the novel, but has he really learned anything from his experience? In an essay of no fewer than two paragraphs, update us on where Steve will be in 10 years time. What do you think will happen to Steve when he becomes an adult? 30

31 Response Journal 61. Often, authors go on book tours to promote their latest books. On these tours, they do personal appearances where they read from their books, sign autographs, and participate in interviews. Write a transcript from a radio show in which you are the host. Interview Walter Dean Myers about this book. A good way to begin might be You: Myers: We re here today with Walter Dean Myers, the award-winning writer of such books as Fallen Angels and the Caldecott Honor Book, Harlem. Mr. Myers latest book is called Monster. Mr. Myers, welcome. Tell us a little about Monster. Thank you. Well, Monster is about 62. Write a review of Monster for an online bookseller like Amazon.com. Give the book a score of a number of stars out of a possible five and then write a short paragraph that describes what you liked and disliked about the book. 31

32 Monster T est 1. Steve Harmon has a peculiar way of dealing with the stress of being on trial for murder. He A. throws himself into doing chores at the jail. B. dreams of getting revenge on the people who ratted on him. C. writes a film script that depicts his trial. D. becomes a counselor for his fellow inmates. 2. Bobo says that Steve s role in the robbery was A. to give the other guys a sign that there were no police in the drugstore. B. to distract the police. C. to steal cigarettes while the other guys took the money. D. to hold Mrs. Henry back while everybody else ran. 3. The end of the novel has Steve questioning his lawyer, especially when she A. shakes hands with the prosecutor. B. turns away from him when he tries to embrace her. C. tells him how much he owes her and it is more than he expected. D. physically pushes his parents away from him. 4. If Steve is truly guilty of anything, it is A. being arrogant. B. lying in court. C. selling stolen cigarettes. D. being acquainted with two criminals. 5. Aside from the fact that he is young, Miss O Brien worries that Steve will be misjudged because he is A. poorly dressed. B. African-American. C. a high school dropout. D. testifying on his own behalf. 32

33 Response Journal 6. Osvaldo and Bobo agree to testify in Steve s case because A. if they do, their own sentences will be reduced. B. Steve is one of their best friends. C. they have been threatened by James King. D. they believe in the power of the justice system. 7. Briggs, King s defense lawyer, is angry when King comes to court wearing his orange prison jumpsuit instead of a business suit. The reason that Briggs is so angry is because A. King changed out of the suit that Briggs brought him. B. Briggs paid a lot for the suit, yet King didn t want to wear it. C. the jumpsuit doesn t fit Briggs that well. D. Briggs thinks that if his client looks like a criminal, the jury will find him guilty. 8. In her opening statement, Miss O Brien says that the law that protects society protects all of society. The best interpretation of this statement is that A. everybody has to obey laws. B. if someone breaks the law, he should be punished. C. laws should protect the victims of crime as well as those who commit crimes. D. committing a crime means nothing unless the person who did it is found guilty. 9. The outcome of the trial is that A. Steve must serve 25 years to life. B. Steve must do community service for his role in the robbery. C. Steve is found not guilty, but James King must serve 25 years to life. D. Steve s sentence is reduced because he cooperated with the police. 10. The most significant point that Walter Dean Myers addresses in Monster is probably A. racial prejudice. B. social prejudice. C. how precarious the judicial system can be. D. how gangs create street violence. 33

34 Monster 11. The court stenographer is important because A. he or she knows the judge. B. the police need to see the notes of the trial before sentencing. C. he or she types the official record of the trial. D. the defendants read the notes after the case is decided. 12. Mrs. Henry was in the drugstore because A. she needed medicine for her granddaughter. B. she planned to rob the drugstore. C. she was buying cigarettes. D. her daughter was sick. 13. Harlem is an area of New York in which A. only large chain stores operate. B. gun violence and crime are problems. C. uniformed police are on every corner. D. street crime is OK, according to the mayor. 14. Alguinaldo Nesbitt was A. hated and feared by his customers. B. a criminal who carried a gun. C. well regarded in the neighborhood. D. from Florida. 15. Mr. Harmon had dreamed that Steve would A. become a rock star. B. be a preacher. C. play for the N. Y. Jets. D. go to Morehouse College. 34

35 Response Journal 16. Kathy O Brien and Sandra Petrocelli are both A. redheads. B. lawyers. C. witnesses. D. criminals. 17. Kathy O Brien tells Steve he has to A. believe in himself. B. find someone else to blame. C. find someone else to believe in. D. try to look younger that he is in court. 18. Asa Briggs argues that A. James King had a job and did not need to rob a drugstore. B. it was Steve Harmon, not James King, who had been in the drugstore. C. Osvaldo Cruz acted alone in robbing the drugstore. D. the witnesses against James King could not be trusted. 19. Kathy O Brien argues that A. Steve Harmon gave no signal about the drugstore before the robbery. B. Mrs. Henry was not a reliable witness. C. José Delgado left the drugstore so James King could rob it. D. Steve Harmon was at Film Club when the robbery and murder occurred. 20. Sandra Petrocelli argues that A. three witnesses saw Steve Harmon in the drugstore on December 22. B. Dorothy Moore is lying about Steve Harmon. C. Mr. Nesbitt is dead because he kept a gun at the store. D. Steve Harmon was a lookout man but not a good one. 35

36 Monster Test Student Answer Sheet Name:

37 Response Journal An Annotated Bibliography on Response Journals Response Journals: Inviting Students to Think and Write Literature By Julie Wollman-Bonilla This slim volume covers the how and why of having students keep response journals. From defending your choice to use response journals as a part of your writing and literature class, to techniques for assessing the impact of response journals. ISBN: $12.95 Publisher: Scholastic Old Faithful: 18 Writers Present Their Favorite Writing Assignments Edited by Christopher Edgar and Ron Padgett Creative writers and teachers describe their single best writing assignment the one that never fails to inspire students. ISBN: $14.95 Publisher: Teachers and Writers Collaborative Journal Jumpstarts: Quick Topics and Tips for Journal Writing By Patricia Woodward and Patricia Howard Contains over 400 writing topics that appeal to young people. ISBN: $7.95 Publisher: Cottonwood Press Journal Keeping with Young People By Barbara A. Steiner and Kathleen C. Phillips A great deal of useful information pertaining to Response Journals is contained in this book s 80 pages. ISBN: $12.95 Publisher: Teacher Ideas Press Idea Catcher for Kids: An Inspiring Journal for Young Writers By Bill Zimmerman Hundreds of creative writing prompts, including prompts written by students responding to Mr. Zimmerman s previous book, A Book of Questions. ISBN: $9.99 Publisher: Little, Brown & Company 37

38 Monster Test Answer Key 1. C 2. A 3. B_ 4. D 5. B 6. A 7. D 8. C 9. C 10. C 11. C 12. A 13. B 14. C 15. D 16. B 17. A 18. D 19. A 20. D 38

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