Growing up in Harlem, Many of Walter Dean Myers' novels are inspired by his childhood. His writings feature such memorable characters such as Greg "Slam" Harris, the sports hero, and Steve Harmon, an accused accomplice to murder.  With a high degree of realism and captivating detail Walter Dean Myers provides readers with remarkable characters and stories that highlight the struggles, accomplishments, and challenges of urban youth. This essay will concentrate on two of Myers novels, Monster and Slam.  Primarily, this essay will focus on how each of the main characters overcame challenges in the story.

Monster

Steve Harmon, the main character in Monster is on trial as an accomplice to murder. Throughout the story, he maintains his innocence and is bothered by a comment made by the prosecutor.

"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.  Monster."

Steve gets through the trial by recording his courtroom experiences in a notebook in the form of a film script.

Slam!

Greg "Slam" Harris is a seventeen-year-old extremely talented basketball player.  He is a fierce competitor on the court but he faces many struggles off the court. From poor grades to family problems, Greg has to learn to deal with life off the court like he deals with competition on the court.  A change of perspective improves his outlook on life.

"If somebody starts messing with my game its like theyre getting into my head.Thats the word and I know it the same way I know my tag, "Slam." Yeah, thats it. "Slam." But without the ball, without the floorboards under my feet, without the mid-court line that takes me halfway home, you can get to me."

Urban Characters Facing Challenges

In both novels, the language and plot make these stories extremely realistic and familiar territory for teen readers.  The main characters in both Monster and Slam!  have to overcome obstacles in each story. Steve has to clear his name, and Greg has to make sure his name does not get too tarnished! Steve and Greg are presented as flawed and have to confront peer pressure, school difficulties, and family problems.  Both stories are significant, because they highlight the consequences of life decisions from two different ends of the spectrum.  One character ends up in jail and one decides to look at life differently. Myers has created two characters teens can easily connect with and explore life's challenges through powerful yet profound urban literature!