MONSTER QUESTIONS - Pages 7-32
1. Pages 1-5 Steve Harmon's Opening Notes
a) "I see a face looking back at me but I don't recognize it. It doesn't look
like me." Based on the opening paragraph, why has Steve's face changed?
b) Why does Steve state he feels like his life has become a movie?
2. Pages 12-13 Opening Courtroom Scene
a) What is the crime for which Steve has been charged?
b) What is the maximum sentence Kathy O'Brien, Steve's lawyer, says
Steve could receive if they lose?
3. Page 14 Stenographer and Guards Scene
What does the little scene between the stenographer and the guards reveal about Steve's situation?
4. Page 16 Courtroom
What does O'Brien mean when she says her job is to make Steve a human being in the eyes of the jury?
5. Page 17
Who is Asa Briggs?
6. Page 18 Film Club Flashback
Why do you think the author included the flashback scene with Mr. Sawicki, the film club mentor, at Steve's old school?
7. Pages 20-24 Prosecutor's Opening Statement
a) What is the impression of Steve that Sandra Petrocelli, the prosecutor, wants to leave with the jury?
b) What does Steve write on his notepad over and over during Petrocelli's opening statement?
8. Pages 28-32 Jose Delgado's Testimony
a) Who is Jose Delgado and what is his relationship to the deceased
Alguinaldo Nesbitt?
b) How does Asa Briggs cast doubt on Jose Delgado's character during his
cross examination?
MONSTER QUESTIONS - Pages 32-57
1. Pages 32-41 Zinzi's Testimony
a) Summarize Zinzi's testimony (bare bones facts).
b) Why did Zinzi testify?
c) Do you think Zinzi's evidence should have been admissible? Fully explain
your reasons why.
2. Pages 41-43 The Flashback - Steve age 12
a) Describe what happens in this little scene.
b) What does this scene show about Steve as a person?
c) Why would the author include this scene in the book?
3. Pages 47-49 Bolden's testimony
a) Summarize Bolden's testimony (bare bones facts)
4. Pages 49-51 Flashback - James King & Steve
a) Describe what happens in this flashback.
b) Explain how the author uses this flashback to increase the suspense in
the novel?
5. Pages 52-57 Bolden's testimony continues
a) What doe we learn from this second part of Bolden's testimony? (bare
bones facts)
b) Should the judge have allowed Bolden to testify? Why or why not?
6. We are about to move back to a scene with Steve in the jail cell. What
do you predict might happen or that Steve will think about?
MONSTER QUESTIONS - Pages 57-99
1. Page 58 Steve and Jerry
What is the author trying to show us by using this flashback?
2. Page 73 Death Row
Why would the author include the scene about death row on page 73?
3. Page 77 Prison Inmates
One of the inmates said, "Somebody got to do some time. They're going to lock somebody up." In the case of harsh crimes such as murder, do you think that police, judges and juries sometimes lock an accused person up just so someone is convicted of the crime and the case is solved? Or do they wait to be sure they have the right person beyond a shadow of a doubt? Give a reason for your opinion.
4. Pages 80-88 Osvaldo Cruz
a) Describe Steve's relationship with Osvaldo Cruz prior to this trial.
b) Describe how Osvaldo Cruz tries to present himself on the stand. Do you think he is putting on an act or is he sincerely behaving the way he feels? Justify your assessment of him.
6. Pages 89-98 Steve Harmon's Notes
a) What details make Steve seem innocent?
b) Does Steve really care about what happened to Mr. Nesbitt or is he merely worried about going to jail? Refer to a specific detail that supports your opinion.
7. Page 98 Personal Opinion About Steve
Do you sympathize with Steve at all? Why or why not?
MONSTER QUESTIONS - Pages 98-148
1. Pages 115-116 (and on page 40) Steve's Innocence?
a) Summarize what Steve says to claim he is innocent.
b) Do you think that he is being totally honest? Explain your viewpoint.
2. Pages 110-116 Steve's Dad
Do you think that Mr. Harmon believes his son is innocent? Quote a few of his remarks that led you to your opinion?
3. Pages 144-148 Steve's Mother
Steve's mother claims she thinks Steve is innocent. Examine her words and behaviour during this visit. Do you think she is just saying he is innocent or do you think she really believes him? Justify your viewpoint by referring to details in this section.
4. Page 130 Steve's Notes
Paraphrase what Steve says in your own words.
5. Pages 115-116 and Pages 117-126 Drugstore Robbery
a) What details do we learn about what happened to Steve after the hold-
up? (bare bones facts)
b) Why would the author choose to include this information now when we
are part way through the story?
MONSTER QUESTIONS - Pages 147-199
**Summarize the key points the lawyers and the witnesses are making in point form:
1. Pages 162-165
Lorelle Henry questioned by Prosecutor Sandra Petrocelli
2. Pages 165-170
Lorelle Henry questioned by Asa Briggs (Defense Attorney for James King)
3. Page 171
a) Lorelle Henry questioned by Kathy O'Brien
b) Rebuttal by Sandra Petrocelli
4. Page 173
Explain Brigg's objection regarding the witness Bobo Evans?
5. Pages 174-185
Bobo Evans questioned by Prosecutor Sandra Petrocelli
6. Pages 185-189
Bobo Evans questioned by Asa Briggs (Defense Attorney for James King)
7. Page 198
Bobo Evans questioned by Kathy O'Brien
8. Page 199
Rebuttal by Sandra Petrocelli
MONSTER QUESTIONS - Pages 200-276
1. Page 200 Miss O'Brien and Steve Harmon
Why does Miss O'Brien say Bobo's testimony hurt Steve's case? How did it hurt Steve's chances of being found not guilty?
2. Page 203 Steve's Notes
"We lie to ourselves in here. Maybe we are here because we lie to ourselves." What is Steve finally starting to realize about himself that has landed him in jail and on trial?
3. Page 206-211 Sandra Petrocelli and Dorothy Moore
What is the prosecutor Petrocelli trying to prove by cross-examining Dorothy Moore on the witness stand?
4. Page 216 Miss O'Brien and Steve Harmon
Why is Miss O'Brien certain James King will not take the witness stand?
5. Pages 224-234 Steve's Testimony
In your opinion, do you believe Steve proved his innocence during his questioning on the stand by prosecutor Petrocelli? What does he say that helps to create reasonable doubt?
6. Page 243 Asa Brigg (James King's Defense attorney)
In his closing argument, what does Asa Briggs mean when he says, "the prosecutor talked of monsters. She not only found them, but she has brought them to testify for the State."?
7. Page 253 Miss O'Brien's Closing Remarks
In her closing remarks, why does Miss O'Brien say there is reasonable doubt to Steve Harmon's guilt?
8. Page 276 The Verdict
Why do you think Miss O'Brien does not hug Steve after he has been found not guilty by the jury?
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