LeeLens2

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Andrea Lee Dr. Sherry Literature for Young Adults 17 February 2011 LENS # 2 Reader Response //Monster// is a novel that I believe young adults will be able to identify with because of the conflict that Steve is going through. All young adults feel that at one time or another they are being accused of something that they did not do whether it is by their parents, teachers, authoritative figures, or peers just as Steve Harmon is being accused by the state.

Personally I was able to identify with this story because over the summer I saw my sister go through a situation where she was wrongly accused by an ex-boyfriend who started to ruin her reputation and tried to get her into trouble when in reality she was innocent. Which made me connect with Steve’s parents because I could relate to the pain they felt by watching their son suffer; of course my sister’s situation was nothing as serious as murder, but she still was hurting inside.

I feel young adult readers would also be able to connect to //Monster// on a personal level. They too, may have seen someone they love be in a tough situation that they know they did not do. Some young adults may have been or know someone who has been in the same position as Steve that may be able to really relate to his character. Other students might be able to identify with the way the novel is written. It is written like a movie, which may have given the students who do not particularly enjoy reading the ability to imagine the novel as a television show which may cause them to actually begin to become a fan of reading. I too, could envision this story as an episode of a homicide show. Also, the technique of incorporating Steve’s journal writings into the novel, I believe, helps the students find his character more relatable because he is sharing his deepest and most sincere thoughts with them.

The mystery of whether Steve Harmon is guilty or innocent initially grabs the reader’s attention, but the connections and relativity to his character and story is what will really pull students into this novel. I believe that the novel //Monster// would be an excellent choice to teach in the classroom because it will help the students relate to real world experiences and may get them excited about reading something different.