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25th out of 42 books
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The Beast
An exciting, eye-catching repackage of acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers' bestselling paperbacks, to coincide with the publication of SUNRISE OVER FALLUJA in hardcover.Seventen-year-old Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is returning to Harlem after seven months at an exclusive prep school. He never wanted to leave the city in the first place--especially not to walk t...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
May 1st 2005
by Scholastic Inc.
(first published 2003)
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Anthony Witherspoon goes away to finish out school at the Academy where he is removed from Harlem and life on the streets. After being gone for only a few months Anthony “Spoon” visits his high school love, Gabi, only to find she is more distant from him than he could have imagined.
“She seemed so different than she had been, as if she had somehow wound tighter than a person ever should be, as if at any moment she would either spring loose into a thousand parts or stop altogether. Someh...more
“She seemed so different than she had been, as if she had somehow wound tighter than a person ever should be, as if at any moment she would either spring loose into a thousand parts or stop altogether. Someh...more
Once I started to read this book I fell right into it. I could barely put it down. I really enjoyed the whole story and everything that was happening. It took me a little while to get why they call the main character "Spoon". However, it didn't take long to finally realize it just had to do with his last name.
I didn't exactly know what to expect with this book. I had no idea what "The Beast" was, so, I didn't exactly know what to expect. As I moved on and started...more
I didn't exactly know what to expect with this book. I had no idea what "The Beast" was, so, I didn't exactly know what to expect. As I moved on and started...more
The Beast is about a young man (Anthony) who is a senior in high school and at the beginning of the school year his parents send him to a prep school three hours from home. He has a girlfriend who he is very in love with and her name is Gabi. When he leaves for school expects Gabi to write to him often with her beautiful poetry and stay very close. They made many plans but little did he know so much would change. When he comes home for Christmas vacation he finds that Gabi has become a drug addi...more
The Beast by Walter Dean Myers is a great novel for middle school students to read. As a high school senior reading this book I enjoyed the concept and plotting. For me it lacked detail and explaination of some of the interesting things of drug use and Gabi's struggle through it. I felt that the author did go into detail but it seemed to be on the things that were not important to the story. This would be an excellent read for middle school students and those transitioning into high school. Real...more
I rated this book 2 out of 5 stars because I did not enjoy it that much. The main reason I did not like The Beast was that I think the story was a little too young for me. If I were in the seventh grade reading this book I would probably have loved it. The basis for the story was good, Gabi getting into drugs, Spoon trying to help her, but the way the situation was described was not detailed enough for me. To me it seemed like Walter Dean Myers put too much effort into trying to tone the drama...more
The Beast
By: Walter Dean Myers
This book takes place in Harlem and Connecticut. The main characters in this book are Spoon, a teenage boy going to school in Connecticut and Gabi's boyfriend, Gabi, Spoon's girlfriend, and Rafe, Gabi's little brother.
In this book Spoon leaves Harlem to go to a school in Connecticut for awhile. He is doing great in school and making friends but he forgets about how things go back in Harlem. When he comes home for Christmas break he thinks every...more
By: Walter Dean Myers
This book takes place in Harlem and Connecticut. The main characters in this book are Spoon, a teenage boy going to school in Connecticut and Gabi's boyfriend, Gabi, Spoon's girlfriend, and Rafe, Gabi's little brother.
In this book Spoon leaves Harlem to go to a school in Connecticut for awhile. He is doing great in school and making friends but he forgets about how things go back in Harlem. When he comes home for Christmas break he thinks every...more
The Beast / by Walter Dean Myers
“…Am I seeing now with my heart what I never saw with my eyes? When the boy leaves in a rush all that I see is a shadow across my eyes. From then on it is what the heart sees.” (Pg. 102).
This meditative novel by Walter Dean Myers begins with a romantic, hopeful prologue, full of professions of love and promises of faith. Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon, born and raised in Harlem, is on his way out of town, on his way to a tony private schoo...more
“…Am I seeing now with my heart what I never saw with my eyes? When the boy leaves in a rush all that I see is a shadow across my eyes. From then on it is what the heart sees.” (Pg. 102).
This meditative novel by Walter Dean Myers begins with a romantic, hopeful prologue, full of professions of love and promises of faith. Anthony “Spoon” Witherspoon, born and raised in Harlem, is on his way out of town, on his way to a tony private schoo...more
I was impressed by the writing of this book--Walter Dean Myers did a phenomenal job of developing voice for his characters. The plot line--about a guy who tries to help his girlfriend come free of "the beast" (drugs)--wasn't particularly pleasing to me. In fact, the book was rather boring in my opinion. However, I have not been around people who struggle with this addition or dealt with drugs in anyway in my life. Possibly someone who has been more exposed to this type of neighborhood ...more
If it wasn't for having to read a book by Walter Dean Myers for my Young Adult Lit. class I don't know if this book would have caught my attention. As I read it I got hooked though because of Myer's great writing skills. He is a really great author. I found myself actually getting into the book and liking it as well. It was cool learning a littl bit how others live away from myself. I'm not used to hearing about poverty and drugs because I've lived in a nice town all my life. Also it was differe...more
I think my misguided expectations for this book were the reason why I didn't like it as much. I think that I was expecting it to talk about the hard-core details of what a life of drug use does to a person, but it didn't. Though the drugs are a significant part of the plot, I felt that this book was more about the main character's discovery of who he was and where he belonged. And I did like that. But, like I said, it was just different from my expectations. Maybe if I re-read it I would like it...more
Walter Dean Myers' words have a way of moving you even if you have not been in the same situation as his characters. I haven't even been in a place like Gabi or Spoon, but the emotions that Myers creates with his diction help you connect to them. It makes you feel as if you had been the one on the streets of Harlem looking for who you are. The Beast (I can't figure out how to underline in this, the shortcuts don't work) shows how people who come from similar backgrounds can end up in different p...more
This book was very interesting. I feel that it was just a little too easy for me. The storyline of the book was a little predictable, but there were a few shockers here in there. The relationship between the two teens was very different than what most teens may be used to. Each individual character had their own story but it all seemed to affect the main character Anthony who appeared to be my favorite. He was able to make it out of the hood and find himself doing well in life. His girlfrien...more
This novel was about a young man named "Spoon" who comes home on break from his New England prep school to find that the home he left is not the same home now. He reconnects with his friends and sees them and his neighborhood as if it is the first time. He then finds out that his girlfriend has been using drugs and he struggles to find a way to help her.
This story was a very interesting story, but I did not like the main character very much. He goes to a sophisticated prep s...more
This story was a very interesting story, but I did not like the main character very much. He goes to a sophisticated prep s...more
I read this book as my Urban Realism. This turned out to be a great book. The main character, Anthony Witherspoon ("Spoon"), is leaving Harlem and going to Wallingford Academy to finish High School. He is in his Senior year, and hopes this will help him to get accepted into a nice college to have a better future. Gabi, his one true love, is staying in Harlem and begins to battle family crisis when Spoon leaves. Upon returning for winter break Spoon is nervous and feels he is retur...more
The beast The beast was good book I recommend it but it’s not my but its style. This author is great when I started reading I couldn’t stop. This book showed me an incredible message it was not to stop. Always be perseverant. For example in the book when Anthony’s girl friend gets I drugs. Anthony does not stop. Until he can reach his goal. This author shows great word choice. Like this magnificent word fiercely. What a powerful word. So remember if you...more
I think "Spoon" is a young man who feels like going of to a high school boarding school messed his whole life up. Gabi, Spoons girlfriend started using drugs and It all seemed to go downhill for her from there. Spoon came back from his school for christmas break and Gabi's mother was sick. From there as it seemed Gabi was avoiding him. It all fell apart when Gabi's mother died and Gabi's drug problems took a hold of her, Spoon rescued her and toke her back to her house and signed her u...more
I think the book was a okay book however, it isn't one of my favorites at all. It isn't for a high school reading level. I think kids in the 6th grade could read this book with no problem. It could of been more interesting but the only way it could be more interesting is if the author added more description or more information about some of the other characters. He wasted more time talking about what doesn't matter instead of the more important things like Gabi's mom. If you are interested in re...more
This is about a young boy, Spoon, who is so excited to be coming home from his prep school. He cant wait to see his girlfriend and get back to the way that things used to be. However when he comes home he finds out that things are way different. The girl that everyone considered to be perfect was pregnant, his friend dropped out of school, and worst of all his girlfriend is too skinny and addicted to drugs. When Gabi,spoon's girlfriend, mom dies will spoon have the strength to help his girl out ...more
Anthony, "Spoon," is at an academy far away from Harlem to finish his highschool education. His family wanted for him to have a great learning environment and hopefully, a successsful future. In the beginning, Spoon starts away from his home in Harlem and is about to return. He is eager to see his long time girl friend Gabi and his family as well. Most importantly, he wants to spend time with Gabi and "catch up" with her. While Sppon was away at the acadey, Gabi promised to w...more
This is one of those books that you read it and feel like you are right there in the story. Usually on the outside looking in you know exactly what you would do in the situations that the stories present, but I felt so lost as I read about Gabi and Spoon's predicament. I learned a lot from reading this book, but one of the main things that I'm walking away with is that life is a choice. Your life and your path are not always going to be laid out straight and pretty for you. So when it starts to ...more
anthony "spoon" he leave his home and his girl friend were he grow up in harlem, his going at the academy to finish his highschool edication.when he was there his girl friend she always write to him and call him, but as days pass the letters and calls become lass and lass.and tha start getting spoon worries. he went bakc to harlem were he grow up, he see everything has change it was the new harlem.apperently, nothong was the sameand no one was safe on the stree.his be loved Gabi, is su...more
This book is incredibly haunting and wonderful. Myers is a tremendous writer and the book, if nothing more, is a brilliant piece of art, but it is so much more than that. It is full of rich themes of friendship, love, courage, and triumph. It shows the destroying power of drugs and proves that all of us are vulnerable and weak when faced with their power. It is a super short book, which is nice every once and a while. I highly recommend it to everyone.
WARNING: This novel contains semi...more
WARNING: This novel contains semi...more
In "The Beast", Walter Dean Myers creates a character named Anthony Witherspoon. It starts off with Anthony having to move out of Harlem and for 7 years, he has lived outside of Harlem. He earned new friends at his school and starts to rely on them more when Gabi, his girlfriend, becomes addicted to drugs. Anthony soon gets his nickname "Spoon". Gabi needs Spoon to help her find out what life really is about? Will he succeed? I recommend this book to anyone because Walter Dea...more
This book was pretty cool. A great example of how its like out here around the low class parts of new york. I really like this book because it has a pretty cool lesson to it. this is part of the reason why i like to read books written by walter dean myers. From hoops to sunrise of fallujah, Every chance I get I read his books. From his oldest to his newest. I started reading his books at the age of 9 and since then i love all of them. I read most of his books. If you name one of his books to me,...more
I didnt like this book because it 's about love and romance and not really about the beast itself. This boook has good details and i would like to read more about this book. From beginning to end, theres this boy named Anthony and his Girlfriend Gabbi. They are in a relationship but somehow gabi is on drugs meanwhile Anthony is at Wallingford Academy in Connecticut. At first i wondered why would he leave his girlfriend behind and i wonder what gabi might say about the opportunity he has. in the ...more
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This book is one of my favorite books. You can compare this to a real life story. This book talks about how Witherspoon has gone to High school and came back to New york to see his friends and family. Once he gets here he feels different. He doesn't really know what is going on. He feels like if he is on a labyrinth. He decides to go see his girlfriend, Gabi. She was a girl that loved to write poems. She has been acting a bit weird around him.
He then finds out that she thinks he d...more
He then finds out that she thinks he d...more
I've never met a Myers book that I didn't love, but this one just seems ... off ... to me.
I don't know what my problem with it is, exactly, but let me think it out:
1. The main character, Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is a black kid from Harlem with rich parents who send him to a Connecticut boarding school for his senior year.
I'm not crazy, right? But this is not Myers' typical protagonist. There's no motive given for Spoon leaving his regular scho...more
I don't know what my problem with it is, exactly, but let me think it out:
1. The main character, Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon is a black kid from Harlem with rich parents who send him to a Connecticut boarding school for his senior year.
I'm not crazy, right? But this is not Myers' typical protagonist. There's no motive given for Spoon leaving his regular scho...more
Teton County Library Call Number: YA MYERS
no rating
Spoon thought he'd love Gabi, his inner-city neighborhood sweetheart forever. But when he gets a chance to attend an upper class prep school in Conn. being away and having new friends gives him a different perspective of his Harlem hangouts.
Can love beat all odds - even the beast, heroin? Read this book to find out why some kids can make it through life without doing drugs and why other succumb. Can people be given...more
no rating
Spoon thought he'd love Gabi, his inner-city neighborhood sweetheart forever. But when he gets a chance to attend an upper class prep school in Conn. being away and having new friends gives him a different perspective of his Harlem hangouts.
Can love beat all odds - even the beast, heroin? Read this book to find out why some kids can make it through life without doing drugs and why other succumb. Can people be given...more
Spoon changes once he gets himself into an academy and off the streets of Harlem. But things change back home when he discovers Gabi, a girl he likes, is neck-deep in drugs again. He tries to help, but realizes his real family is the one at the academy and he can't deal with people who will just bring him down.
"You're not a lie, Gabi." I took her hands in mine. "You're real and you're here and I do love you."
"That's funny, because I don't love me anymo...more
"You're not a lie, Gabi." I took her hands in mine. "You're real and you're here and I do love you."
"That's funny, because I don't love me anymo...more
I really liked this book because i was a story that had lots of different piont of views.This book is about a boy who goes away from home for a long time to go to a school that will help him better his life by going to college. But back at home he has a beautiful girfriend that dosent take to well to his leaving and sarts doing drugs.so Anthony witherspoon had to be with her wile she went through rehad and he still got his basketball scholarship.
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pseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at va...more
More about Walter Dean Myers...
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson
Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.
After serving four years in the army, he worked at va...more
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