Module 4: Monster

Image from Amazon
Summary:
Steve Harmon, inspired by a school film class, sits in a Harlem jail cell and begins to pen the movie of his life. He reflects on his early years as he goes through the biggest trial of his life- a murder trial. Steve is on the block as an accomplice, the lookout of the operation. He's too young to visit people in jail, but not young enough to keep him from being incarcerated himself. He is able to convey his emotions throughout the ordeal best by keeping them, in script form, in his personal journal. He listens as the prosecutor makes him out to be a monster, attempting to portray him as equally involved in the robbery and murder of a local drug store owner as the admitted criminals who pulled the trigger. While he firmly believes in his innocence (most of the time), Steve is afraid his lawyer does not feel the same. Still, she (half heartedly?) argues that Steve is as far from the crime as she, simply an innocent child caught up with the wrong acquaintances. The prosecutor works hard to implicate Steve, Bobo, and King. She brings forward witnesses, no matter how shady, who are quick to confess all they "know." Luckily, Steve's lawyer, Ms. O'Brien fights hard. In the end, Steve is found not guilty. He is able to leave the jail- which he fears immensely, and return to his life as a child. However, he knows things will never be the same.

My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a gripping story from the very first lines. I didn't, however, expect it to have so much disturbing content, particularly as a YA book. The added details of acts of prison physical and sexual violence are something I am not sure if I would want my pre-teen or teen reading about. Overall, however, I believe the story was very well done. The writing style took some getting used to, but before long I found myself picturing all the screen shots in my mind. I flipped through the pages quickly, hanging on every word, but dying to see what was next. The author hold the readers attention down to the very last line. Although I might not have had personal experience that allowed me to relate with Steve, I was able to sympathize with him, and that is an essential element to an effective character. Overall, an enjoyable read that I would recommend to older teens.

Their Thoughts:
Excerpt from School Library Journal-
"Steve Harmon, 16, is accused of serving as a lookout for a robbery of a Harlem drugstore. The owner was shot and killed, and now Steve is in prison awaiting trial for murder. From there, he tells about his case and his incarceration. Many elements of this story are familiar, but Myers keeps it fresh and alive by telling it from an unusual perspective. Steve, an amateur filmmaker, recounts his experiences in the form of a movie screenplay. His striking scene-by-scene narrative of how his life has dramatically changed is riveting. Interspersed within the script are diary entries in which the teen vividly describes the nightmarish conditions of his confinement. Myers expertly presents the many facets of his protagonist's character and readers will find themselves feeling both sympathy and repugnance for him. Steve searches deep within his soul to prove to himself that he is not the "monster" the prosecutor presented him as to the jury. Ultimately, he reconnects with his humanity and regains a moral awareness that he had lost."

Awards and Accolades-
Micheal L. Printz Award
Coretta Scott King Honor Book
National Book Award Finalist

My Ideas:
This book serves as a great example of a counter culture. Because of the difficult themes dealt with in this book, I am not sure if I would specifically highlight this book, but I would like to use it as part of a larger display. Steve is certainly not your average teen, and I know some students will relate with him, as well as with other books that deal with subjects outside the norm. Properly displayed, I believe these books would fly off the shelves!

Module 4: Call It Courage

Summary:
Call It Courage (Newbery Medal winner, 1941) is the story of a young boy, Mafatu, and his journey to self discovery in the islands the Pacific. Mafatu experienced a tramatic event in the sea as a young child, causing both the loss of his mother and a life long fear of the power of the water. He refused to set foot in the water again, believing it was only possible for him to escape his destiny once. While his name implied courage, his heart did not follow suit. He was often teased for staying behind to do womens' work while the other boys his age went off to fish. One day this teasing became too much to handle, so Mafatu set off on his own. After battling a storm that nearly cost him his life, Mafatu and his dog Uri reached an unknown island. On this island Mafatu came face to face with his fears. He conquered his fear of the unknown, his fear of the water, and his fear of being alone. Necessity bred bravery in this case- allowing Mafatu to survive, and thrive, during his time there. After battling and defeating a boar, a shark, and an octopus, and making a canoe, Mafatu knew it was time to return to his father as the brave boy his name portrayed him to be. After narrowly escaping a tribe of cannibals, and surviving another difficult journey on the water, Mafatu received a heroes welcome on his home island. He successfully proved to everyone, but more importantly to himself, that he truly was a boy with a "stout heart."

My Thoughts:
While not personally appealing, I can see why this book was an award winner and is still popular today. The fast paced story was a quick read with a great deal of action and adventure. I see young boys relating well to Mafatu, identifying with the struggles he faces in an attempt to prove his worth. For me, I typically enjoy historical fiction, but found myself struggling to enjoy the story. I continuously worried more about the outcome of the dog, than about the inward and outward struggles of the young boy. I suppose my complete lack of adventure plays a large roll in this distaste for such an adventure filled book.

Their Thoughts:
New York Times Review-
"Whether this author is telling of clipper ships, of the days of the covered wagon, of the South Sea Islands, he writes always with imagination and integrity. Like all hero legends Mafatu's story has a strength and simplicity that appeals to a wide range in age and it is beautifully told. Mr. Sperry's fine drawings have the same spirit of adventure as the story and enhance the feeling of tropical seas and jungle given in the text. The story reads aloud well and will be useful to storytellers."

My Ideas:
This book would serve well as a read aloud over several weeks of library time for older children. It is a child friendly introduction to historical fiction, and would play well for even the most reluctant male readers. Alternatively, it could also be used during a unit about friendships/bullying. The underdog element of this story would be attractive to those students who feel as if they just do not measure up, and would be a good reminder to the alpha dogs who may contribute to this ill feeling. (For younger students on the same topic, Tacky the Penguin would be a wonderful choice.)