Walter Dean Myers book summaries

“The best time to cry is at night, when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help.”

Steve's journal entry early in the book, reflecting on the violence and fear in jail.

“I am not a monster. I am a human being.”

Steve's internal declaration, repeated throughout the book, in response to the prosecutor's label.

“You are what you do. You are what you do.”

A line from Steve's screenplay, spoken by the prosecutor, emphasizing the theme of identity and action.

“I think that the truth is what you see, and what you see depends on where you are standing.”

Steve's reflection on the nature of truth and perspective, near the end of the book.

“They took my picture. They took my fingerprints. They took my name.”

Steve's journal entry describing the dehumanizing process of being processed into the criminal justice system.