Monster
by Walter Dean Myers
Related History & Literature on Shmoop
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Sample of Related History & Literature on Shmoop
- On the Outside Looking In
The Outsiders is similar in some ways to Monster—first person narrative, gangs, murder, and inner turmoil. Sounds grisly but it's light on the gore, and it's a fast (and thought-provoking) read. Both books and authors warrant lots of discussion and comparisons, so read them together or hook a happy Monster reader up with this one next. - Freaks All Around
Another companion piece is Freak the Mighty. The first-person narrator is Freak (which sounds awfully similar to Monster). Self-perception is a big theme here also, and there's a murderer (minor character) and strained parental relationships. It's a coming-of-age story that's real and not hokey.