"Monster" excerpt

"Maybe I could make my own movie. I could write it out and play it in my head. I could block out the scenes like we did in school. The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I'll write it down in the notebook they let me keep. I'll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me." This is the overall basis for the style of the book and why it's written as a movie script.

"monster" characters

This book tells the reader the backgrounds of each criminal, (Bobo, Steve, King, Osvald) and about their account of that night, starting with Osvaldo Cruz. He states that his participation with three others in a drugstore robbery resulted in the unplanned murder of the drugstore's proprietor, Alguinaldo Nesbitt. According to Cruz, the original plan was that Steve would go into the drugstore, check for police or citizens, and then make a signal if the coast was clear. All sources indicate that Nesbitt drew a gun to defend himself against the robbers, then one of the robbers wrestled him for it causing Nesbitt's death when the gun discharged. Bobo takes the witness stand to confirm that James King pulled the trigger and Steve, who he hardly knew, was indeed meant to signal an all-clear. Other than this synopsis of the night of the murder not much else is revealed about the characters and their personalities.

"monster" intro

So far "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers focuses on Steve, an aspiring filmmaker, who is writing about his experience and involvement in a current case involving robbery and murder. The book is written in a screenplay format like a movie script, which I find to be extremely unique and cool. Steve's trial involves 4 men, 3 black, 1 Hispanic. Two of these men have entered a deal by pleading guilty. The overall feeling in the courtroom is a malignant one, demonizing the others waiting on trial. The Judge called the remaining men "monsters." 

Why Holes?

 

 

I chose "Holes" because I have seen the movie and I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to read the book. I also thought it would be a relatable book because it centers around teen. Watching the movie also helped me start the book knowing more about the characters and made it less confusing.

Holes excerpt

 

 

 

 

"His hole was waist deep. He dug his shovel into the dirt. As he dumped it out, he thought he saw something glisten as it fell onto the dirt pile. Whatever it was, it was quickly buried.
Stanley stared at the pile a moment, unsure if he'd even seen it. Even if it was something, what good would it do him? He'd promised to give anything he found to X-Ray. It didn't seem worth the effort to climb out of his hole to check it out." (13.10-11)
This excerpt from "Holes" shows the mystery as well as character interaction that is such a big part of "holes" story.



Holes characters

 

 

 

Holes has many unique characters with different stories and wishes. Stanley doesn't feel like he belongs where he is, he just wants to go home or at least fit in with his new friends. "Zero" is quiet and nonsocial, but eager to talk to someone who will let him, like Stanley. The Warden is manipulative and gets angry easily. All the characters differences creates friendships as well as enemies. 

Holes intro

 

 

So far, "holes" is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats,who has been wrongly incriminated for something he says he didn't do. He is sent to camp Greenlake where he and many other juveniles are sent instead of jail. Everyone in this camp must wakeup early every morning and dig a hole around 5 feet deep, for what seems to be no reason. They work in dangerously hot conditions and don't get a lot of water. Stanley is accompanied by "Armpit" and "Zero" as well as others while the deal with each other and the brutality of camp Greenlake.