Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text/story?
QUESTION 1-3
NOTES
p.1
Who is the main character?
What details do we learn about him?
The main character is ____
He is….
p. 1-11
Describe the Settings of the story
The story starts in….
The story also takes place at…
p. 12
What words are used to describe Ms.
O’brien? Who is she?
Ms. O’Brien is…
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 4-6
p. 13
Who is James King?
p. 15
“The fear is evident on his face”
What is Steve FEARING?
p.17
Who is Asa Briggs? Describe him.
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION
NOTES
STUDENT QUESTIONS
from Reading Log
1)What was the crime Steve is accused of
committing?
Steve is accused of Felony Murder
2) How does Steve feel? Is he scared?
He is worried. He tells his attorney “I’m
scared”
3) What is going on in the Courtroom?
4) What does Steve’s mom think of him?
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 7-8
NOTES
p.18
What is the reason for the FLASHBACK?
How does the scene change inform the
reader?
The scene changes because…
p. 19
What does Mr. Sawicki advise members of
the film club?
USE TEXTUAL EVIDENDCE
Mr. Sawicki advises that ”______”
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 9
p.20-24
Summarize what District Attorney Petrocelli
says in her opening statements to the jury.
Specifically, what does she present about
Steve’s involvement in the murder?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 10-11
NOTES
p.27-28
What is Mr. Briggs hoping to prove in the
case according to his opening statement?
p. 28-32
Who is the first witness and what does he
testify about?
Discredit
credibility
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 12-14
p.28-41
Who is Zinzi? What is his involvement in the
trial? Use textual evidence from his
testimony.
p. 42
Describe the second FLASHBACK.
What do we learn about Steve and why do
you think it is included?
p. 46
How can you explain Steve’s MOOD from
reading his journal entry? What might you
suggest he do to improve his mood?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 15-16
p. 47
Who is Wendell Bolden?
p. 55
Bolden testifies
“I just want to do the right thing.”
Do you believe him? Justify your opinion.
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 17-18
p. 49-51 & p. 58
Draw a quick Sketch and
Write a short summary about the two
FLASHBACKS
p. 63
What was Steve’s dream about?
INFER-What do you think it MEANS?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 19-20
p.73
Explain what the significance of the scene of
death row is to the story.
Is it something a 16 year old should be
imagining?
p. 75
What do you think about Mr. Briggs’s crossexamination of Detective Karyl?
How did he try to influence the jury with his
questions?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION- Separate HW
NOTES
p. 79
5 points
½ PAGE RESPONSE
Evaluate O’Brien’s statement:
“You’re young, you’re Black, and you’re on
trial. What else do they need to know?”
How does this statement CONTRAST with
the idea of JUSTICE?
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 21-22
p. 82
Describe Osvaldo Cruz from the
information/textual evidence on pages 8288
p. 89-98
Summarize the journal in 5 sentences
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 24-25
p. 99
O’Brien tells Steve, “If you give up, they’ll
give up on you”
INFER-What does she mean?
p. 109
In your own words, tell what you would
think of Osvaldo if you were on the jury.
Use the word “credibility” in your answer
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 26-27
p. 113
Think about how Mr. Harmon feels.
What does he tell Steve at the end of their
meeting?
p. 116
What is Steve assuming about his father in
his journal? Use textual evidence in your
answer
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 28-29
p. 119
The women talking about the crime make
the statement:
“California is a lot worse than Harlem”
What are they referring to?
Explain what you think about their
judgment.
p. 121
On the newscast, a NEIGHBORHOOD
RESIDENT makes a statement. What does he
say?
--paraphrase or put it in your own words-
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 30-32
NOTES
p. 125
Write 4 ADJECTIVES that describe Mrs.
Harmon’s reaction on this page.
1.
2.
3.
4.
p. 129
Steve writes that he “couldn’t breathe”.
Why?
p. 135
What caused Mr. Nesbitt’s death?
use Textual Evidence
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 33-34
p. 138
Explain the difference between “I’m not
guilty” and “I didn’t do it”
Why do you think O’Brien advises Steve
about the distinction?
p. 143
Summarize. Why is Ernie locked up?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION 35
p. 146
Copy the Bible passage that Ms. Harmon
selected for Steve to read on page 146 into
your notes
Write 1 paragraph
Interpret what you think it means (the
message or theme) and explain why she
would have chose that passage
Write at least 4 sentences in your analysis
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #1-3
p. 149-152
What evidence is revealed in this flashback?
Why is it important?
p. 155
What does Steve say about the violence in
jail? Explain what he means.
p. 156
What does Steve recognize as IRONIC about
visitation policy at the detention center?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #4-5
p. 161
Describe Lorelle Henry.
p. 161-171
Summarize Ms. Henry’s testimony
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #6-7
p. 172
Why does Briggs asks James King to take
notes? DO you think his defense strategy
will be successful?
p. 172
Describe Bobo Evans.
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #8
p. 200
In the movie, Steve plans to include a short
“comic scene”.
Describe the scene that is supposed to
occur on screen
INFER: Why would this part be included in
the movie? What effects would it have on
the audience?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #9-10
p. 203
“We lie to ourselves here. Maybe we are
here because we lie to ourselves.”
What does Steve mean by this statement?
p. 205
What advice does Steve think he would tell
his brother, Jerry?
Why do you think he would share that
advice?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #11-12
p. 210
Summarize Dorothy Moore’s testimony
p. 211
Do you think Moore is a CREDIBLE witness?
Do you believe her and why?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #13-14
p. 213
What does George Nipping testify about?
What argument is Mr. Briggs attempting to
make?
p. 214
Just after another flashback to the film
class, what technique does the film-maker
use?
Draw a sketch of what you would see in the
movie
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #15-16
p. 215
What does O’Brien expect to gain from having Steve testify?
USE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
***Be specific about how she says Steve taking the witness
stand will help his case***
p. 219
What does O’Brien do to help Steve prepare?
Why do you think she has him practice?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #17-18
p. 221
What is Steve’s definition of truth?
p. 224
If you were a juror, what would you think about Steve’s
testimony? Does he sound credible? Why or why not?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #19-20
NOTES
What is an alibi?
An Alibi is a form of defense
used in criminal procedure
wherein the accused attempts
to prove that he or she was in
some other place at the time
the alleged offense was
committed.
p. 231
What does Steve testify is his alibi?
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #21
p. 233
What does Petrocelli do that is objectionable?
Explain what she tries to do and the judge’s reaction.
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #22
p. 236
Mr. Sawicki testifies about Steve’s art/film-making being
evidence of his honesty. Explain what he means about Steve
having a “very deep character”
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #23-24
p. 243
Choose two ideas or statements that you think are the
strongest in Briggs’s closing argument
p. 253
What does O’Brien present as creating “reasonable doubt”
about Steve’s involvement in the crime?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #25-26
p. 255
List the rights Petrocelli mentions in her closing argument
p. 260
What would you need to believe to find Steve “not guilty”
according to Petrocelli?
Use Textual evidence
“Cite” exactly what she says to the jury
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #27-28
p. 261
Interpret what “walked the moral tightrope” means
p. 262
Petrocelli states that Steve’s “willingness to check out the
store…was one of the causative factors in the death of Mr.
Nesbitt”
Do you think that being a lookout also means you caused the
murder?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #29-31
p. 263
What symbols are shown around the
courtroom? What do they represent?
p. 266
Describe the attitude of the guards?
Do they seem realistic? Why?
p. 271
Summarize Steve’s journal in 3 sentences
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #32
p. 276
Describe O’Brien’s reaction to the verdict.
p. 280
What do you think of the final courtroom
scene? Do you think it is an effective end to the
film?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #33
p. 280
What do you think Steve is trying to figure out
about himself? Have you had the same sort of
search in yourself?
NOTES
Monster Notes
EQ: What can we learn about
justice from the text?
QUESTION PART 2 #34-35
Walter Dean Myers
Summarize what Myers says about young
people who are imprisoned and the decisions
that they make.
What was the moment that inspired this story
according to Myers?
NOTES