Themes/Messages
The novel explores how one wrong decision or moment can impact this.
What is one's future/life?
During the robbery, Mr. Nesbitt uses this to defend himself.
What is a gun?
James King and Steve's lawyers
Who is Briggs and O'Brien?
“You're young. You’re Black. You’re on trial. What else do they need to know?”
Who is O'Brien?
The name of 4 shops in this school
What is culinary, cosmo, baking and graphic design?
One theme of the novel related to how others judge Steve.
What is identity/perception?
Steve flashes back to this school activity, showing he had normal teenage interests.
What is film making / film club ?
The owner of the drug store
Who is Mr. Nesbitt?
"I want to look like a good person. I want to feel like a good person"
Who is Steve Harmon?
The name of Ms. Recto's college
Where is Rutgers University?
The title Monster symbolizes how Steve is viewed by this group.
Who are the prosecutors/society?
This witness claims Steve wasn’t directly involved, but implies he was at the scene.
Who is Bobo Evans?
The prisoner that had info about the crime in order to get released early
Who is Salvatore Zinzi?
"He was just dropping by. He saw a lamp that he thought I might like and he brought it by."
Who is Ms. Moore?
Who is Walter Dean Myers?
The novel shows how this system may not always lead to true justice.
What is the criminal justice system?
At the end of the trial, Steve receives this verdict.
What is not guilty?
The store owner who found Mr. Nesbitt's body
Who is Jose Salgado?
"I been knowing King all my life. I just met the other guy before the robbery went down"
Who is Bobo?
What RACE stands for.
What is Restate, Answer, Cite, and Explain?
This recurring question reflects Steve’s internal conflict throughout the novel.
What is “Am I really a monster?”
The action O'Brien doesn't do at the end to Steve that confuses him.
What is a hug?
One of the detectives investigating the crime
Who is Detective Karyl or Williams?
"It just never came to me that you would be in any kind of trouble..."
Who is Mr. Harmon?
The address of this school
Where is 21 Suttons Lane , Piscataway, NJ?