Monster

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 12 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: Steve describes jail and begins writing his story like a movie. What do these details help you understand about how he is feeling?
2. Chapter 2: Why do you think Walter Dean Myers uses both a screenplay and journal entries to tell Steve's story? How does this style change the way you read the book?
3. Chapter 3: The lawyers tell different stories about Steve and the crime. What details make it hard for the reader to know what really happened?
4. Chapter 4: When Steve remembers his family, school, or life before jail, what kind of person do you think he is? Use details from the chapter to explain.
5. Chapter 5: The word monster is very important in this book. What does this word mean to Steve, and how does it affect the way he sees himself?
6. Chapter 6: Several witnesses share what they saw or heard. How can a reader decide which witnesses seem honest or trustworthy?
7. Chapter 7: Based on what has happened so far in the trial, what do you predict Steve will need to do if he wants the jury to understand him?
8. Chapter 8: How are Steve Harmon and James King similar or different? What do their words and actions show about their characters?
9. Chapter 9: What does this part of the book suggest about choices and consequences? Explain using an event from the chapter.
10. Chapter 10: Do you think writing his story as a movie helps Steve deal with fear? Why or why not?
11. Chapter 11: Near the end of the trial, Steve has to think about how other people see him. What lesson might he be learning about identity and reputation?
12. Chapter 12: How does the ending make you think about innocence, guilt, and who Steve really is? Explain your reaction in a few sentences.

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 1: Steve describes jail and begins writing his story like a movie. What do these details help you understand about how he is feeling?

I think Steve feels scared and alone in jail. The way he writes it like a movie makes it seem like he is trying to step outside of his own life because it is too hard to face. I can tell he is confused and worried about what will happen to him. His writing helps me understand that he is still a kid dealing with something very serious.

Chapter 5: The word monster is very important in this book. What does this word mean to Steve, and how does it affect the way he sees himself?

To me, the word monster makes Steve feel like people already think he is a bad person. It hurts him because he does not want to be seen only as someone accused of a crime. I think he starts wondering if other people can still see the real him. The word is powerful because it changes how Steve thinks about himself.

Chapter 12: How does the ending make you think about innocence, guilt, and who Steve really is? Explain your reaction in a few sentences.

I felt that the ending was not completely simple or happy. It made me think that being found not guilty does not mean Steve's life goes back to normal right away. I think Steve is still trying to understand who he is and how others see him. My reaction is that the book wants readers to keep thinking instead of giving an easy answer.