Summer Assignment #2

Im reading Monster, by Walter Dean Myers.  One theme in the story has been that one should not succumb to peer pressure. This theme has been shown by the main character Steve Harmon who fell into peer pressure to rob a drug store and now he is being accused of murder.  The other theme that has recently showed up is how the judicial system racial profiles Steve Harmon. There is a sense that because Steve is young and black, he is more likely to have committed the crime in the eyes of the jurors.  

All the charecters want different things to happen.  Steve wants more than anything to be found not guilty and to go back home.  The rest of his "crew" just wants to rat on the others so that their punishment is less severe.  The district attorney wants to find them guilty.  Steve’s Parents and family obviously want Steve to be found not guilty and to come back home.  

My book is structured like a screenplay written and narrated by Steve Harmon, who writes personal comments.

What would you do to keep your sanity if you were in jail?

Summer Assignment Entry #1

Im reading Monster, by Walter Dean Myers.  The story takes place in Manhattan, Harlem and, New York City,in a jail cell and courtroom, also in Steve Harmon (the main character) neighboorhood. 

Steve Harmon-a sixteen year old black guy who has been arrested for being the look-out in robbery that goes bad and ends in a murder. He is the narrator for the story, writing it in the form of a movie script.  Kathy O'Brien- Steve’s defense attorney.  Sandra petrocelli- The Attorney who prosecutes the case against Steve and James King. She labels them “monsters.”  James King- A young black guy  but older than Steve, he encourages Steve to be a part of his “crew” which will rob the drugstore. He is accused of being in the drugstore, wrestling Mr. Nesbitt for the gun, and killing the old man.  Richard Evans- He is the other young man accused of being in the store at the time of the murder. He is stealing the money from the register. He makes a deal with the prosecution to testify against James and Steve to get a lighter sentence.  Osvaldo Cruz- He is another participant in the crime. It was his job to stand outside and trip up anyone who tries to catch them after they rob the store. Aquinaldo Nesbitt- The guy that died.

The conflict in the story is that these boys were accused of murder and theft.  I predict that he will be found not guilty, because thats always how stories end.  What do you think will happen to Steve?