Autobiography of My Dead Brother -- Walter Dean Myers

I haven't read a whole lot of Walter Dean Myers.  Yes, I know.  Bad librarian.

(If this next bit sounds vague, keep in mind that I read Monster years ago.)  I remember that while I appreciated the book, I felt kind of odd about it.  I never really connected with the main character, but I chalked that up partially to the screenplay format of the book.  I also remember thinking that it was deliberate.  The main character was trying to distance himself from his own situation, and so it made sense that I would feel that distance.  The feeling was due to good writing on WDM's part.  I think.

Anyway, I was surprised that Autobiography of My Dead Brother had the same effect on me.  The format is much more traditional, so I don't think that was the reason for my inability to connect.  The text is interspersed with comic strips, portraits and other drawings (all done by Christopher Myers), but that shouldn't have been a problem.

I don't think it was the setting or the story.  I've read plenty of other books set in the inner city and a billion others that deal with the ending of a friendship. 

It wasn't that I didn't like it -- I did.  I thought that the characters and their relationships were complex enough to make them real people and while it was always clear that tragedy loomed, I wouldn't call it predictable.  I just didn't form any sort of relationship with any of the characters.  Which for me, a person who is able to get attached to people in commercials, is strange.

So.  Anyone out there read a lot of Myers?  Any thoughts?  I realize that I'm really opening myself up for a lot of potential abuse, but what's my problem?