Monster by Walter Dean Myers

CUT TO: STEVE HARMON, 16 years old, black boy, and he's already charged with murder. Criminal? Innocent? He's in trial and he may even stay in jail for the rest of his life.

Dexter (voiceover)

They denounce him of being the outlook in a robbery, which caused the owner his own life. Was Steve Harmon really the outlook of this crime or was he simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Steve Harmon is a filmmaker and he is passionate on writing his experience in jail as a film. He describes how life in jail really is; the threats for a simple stare or accidental nudge, sexual assaults, and the fear he goes through behind bars. The only thing that has stopped him from killing himself is the encouragement he receives to continue with his film making. He tries hard to convince others (and maybe himself?), that he is not a criminal. He can't possibly be the offender of this horrible crime, even if it was just to be the outlook.

I see what Miss O'Brien meant when she said that part of her job is to make me look human in the eyes of the jury.

Is he innocent? You'll be shocked as to what you find out at the end. This book will have you at the edge of your seat, biting your nails and you will not be able to put it down. You will be enthralling in wanting to find out more. I was fully convinced, at first that Steve was innocent and I still think he is but…some parts are left for the reader to think it through. You will be left wanting more and really finding out if Steve Harmon is immoral.

INTERIOR: CELL. Sixteen-year-old STEVE HARMON is sitting on the edge of a metal cot, head in hands. He is thin, brown skinned. On the cot next to him are the suit and tie he is to wear to court for the start of his trial.