Sheri’s Comments (group member since Aug 20, 2014)

Sheri’s comments from the BDCHS Advanced Reading group.

Wow! An interesting perspective, I really like how you pointed out that it reads as if a teenager wrote it. I didn't really like the ending either. I guess the point was to make the narrator unreliable, but it leaves the reader wondering... what if he really did do it?

It's not personally my type of book, but I am glad that you enjoyed it. I know that a lot happens, but you summarized it pretty well. Could you predict what was going to happen before it finally happened? What did you think of the author, Peter Van Houten and how he acted towards Hazel and Augustus?

I really enjoyed this book as well. I know it doesn't necessarily have a "plot" or "problem/solution" or even "characters," but you could have found a way to discuss what Stephen talks about as problems and to characterize Stephen for those who do not know what he is like.

What a wonderful review. I really enjoyed reading what you had to say and how you connected to it. :)

Take 2 :)
Just remember, short doesn't always mean sweet. Try and add more detail in and you'll be golden.

Very well written. It is an interesting glimpse inside the mind of a child in jail for murder... a point of view that most people never have to deal with. Your insights were well constructed and I am glad you enjoyed how it was written.

I really liked Sirius as well when he was introduced and I was bummed that Harry couldn't live with him as well. Do you think his life would have been so different? The Dursleys weren't as bad in his later life, he still would have gone back to Hogwarts, and Sirius still would have died. How do you think it would have been different?

Some questions to think about...
1. You said the theme is innocent until proven guilty. Was that the case for Steve? What he innocent?
2. You said that he had nothing to do with the crime, but was involved in it. Doesn't that mean he did have something to do with it? Was he framed then? Is he just as guilty for the murder?
3. What made the beginning so drawn out?
4. What made the story interesting? Just the presentation or did you like some other aspect?

But what if you felt like you had to be involved in the crime? Like, they would beat you up if you weren't the look out. Common sense might go out the window then...

I love crime novels! Look at the True Crime Listopia. :)

The class assigned reading was the book "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed how it was constructed. The interesting mix of prose, drama, and memoir made me fly through the book, but overall, it was not a book that particularly connected to me. I was never invested in the characters even though Myers captured me with his writing.

This novel, told in 1st person point of view then in third, takes place with Steve Harmon in jail. The story transitions to slightly different time periods, before and after the alleged incident that turned his life upside down. Steve, a 16 year old boy from New York, was cohered into joining a group of other boys led by James King. Steve, desperate for approval from his peers, joined the group and took part in one of the robberies that they did frequently. While King and his friend, Richard "BoBo" Evans were inside the robbery went awry and the clerk, Mr. Nesbitt, ends up killed.

Steve and the group of boys, including Osvaldo Cruz who was a look out as well, were arrested and sent to jail. Kathy O'Brien is introduced as Steve's defense against the prosecutor, Sandra Petrocelli. Facing a difficult situation, O'Brien and Steve work together to get him an innocent conviction. However, things turn on their head when BoBo decides to testify against everyone in a plea deal set up with his lawyers.

Facing potential life in prison, Steve journals his daily life while also writing a script of what happened. He aspires to be a director and spends his time in jail fantasizing about what will happen if he gets out. Conflict looms ahead as his final days of the trial nears. Steve is battling the preconceptions of poor black males and the fact that he was involved in the crime. When the jury returns and delivers the innocent judgment, the theme is actualized.

Steve realizes that it was not worth all the trouble in order to have friends. He should have stayed true to who he was instead of being a follower. This theme can be applied in my life as well. I shouldn't make decisions about how to lead my life because I want to impress someone else. As a high school teacher, I sometimes see students act one way in class then a completely different way in the halls when they are with their friends. Or they might behave one way when we are one-on-one, but the reverse when they are trying to impress a girl that they like in class. It is not as if they are going to be put in jail for this, but it is important to note that Steve was put in the situation because he was trying to impress some older boys that he thought were cool.

I enjoyed the story overall. I always like reading stories that are written in a unique style. It shows the author has courage and gives an interesting twist to a otherwise, not note-worthy story. I didn't really relate to Steve and think that it would have been nice to know more about him. I know he enjoys his English class, but more background development might have made me feel more for him. As it was, I kind of hoped he would be guilty so that he could express some emotion. As I was reading it, I thought that is what it lacked most... EMOTION. It was detached and I started envisioning it as a play we could do in class. Make it more interesting by imaging how the characters would act or how Steve would react to the results.

Choose from any of the 3 genres: Classic Literature, A collection of Poetry, or a Graphic Novel.

For this genre, choose a non-fiction book to read.

This can be a biography, information of a specific subject, or a journal/essay compilation. Some examples of great non-fiction would be a biography of your favorite celebrity, the book "Race" which covers how the idea of race works in our society, or a collection of essays from a variety of people like the book "13" or from one person, "The Diary of Anne Frank."

Most people do not like non-fiction, but see how interesting it can be by giving it a try...

For this genre, choose a fictional story that appeals to you.

This encompasses fantasy, drama, comedy, urban, sci-fi, etc. Some examples might be Harry Potter, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, The Earth My Butt and Other Big Round Things, Do Not Pass Go, and The Uglies.

Choose a story, and go for it!