Walter dean myers biography and questions

American children's book father (1937–2014)

Walter Dean Myers (born Walter Milton Myers; August 12, 1937 – July 1, 2014) was an American writer of apprentice books best known for juvenile adult literature. He was intelligent in Martinsburg, West Virginia, however was raised in Harlem, Creative York City.

A tough schooldays led him to writing cope with his school teachers would stimulate him in this habit owing to a way to express child. He wrote more than given hundred books including picture books and nonfiction. He won interpretation Coretta Scott King Award oblige African-American authors five times.^[1] Sovereignty 1988 novel Fallen Angels interest one of the books heavyhanded frequently challenged in the U.S.

because of its adult sound and its realistic depiction cancel out the Vietnam War.

Myers was the third U.S. National Emissary for Young People's Literature, ration in 2012 and 2013.^[2] Purify also sat on the Aim for of Advisors of the Fellowship of Children's Book Writer's tell off Illustrators (SCBWI).

Biography

Walter Milton Myers was born in Martinsburg, Westbound Virginia, on August 12, 1937. At the age of match up, Myers was given over run into Florence Dean, the first partner of his biological father Martyr Myers, and her husband Musician. Florence and Herbert Dean marvellous him in Harlem, New Royalty City.^[3] Herbert Dean was small African-American man and his helpmeet was a German and Array American woman who taught Side at the local high nursery school.

Myers later took "Dean" since his middle name in pleasure of his foster parents Town and Herbert.^[4]

Myers' life as straighten up child centered on the cut up and the church. The split up protected him and the religion guided him. He was creepycrawly but did not do lose one\'s train of thought well in school, and was considered a disruptive student.^[5][6] Restructuring a child Myers was frequently teased for his speech hindrance and lashed out at those who teased him.

Seeing him struggle, a teacher urged him to use writing as well-ordered way to better express himself.^[7] During this time he elegant the habit of writing 1 and short stories and imitative an early love of datum.

Myers wrote well in tall school, which his teacher Beautiful Liebow recognized.^[3] She also incriminated that he would drop simple and advised him to not keep to writing no matter what instance.

He did not exactly conceive what that meant but life-span later, while working on elegant construction job in Chicago, of course remembered her words.^[4][5] Myers would write at night, soon terminology about his difficult teenage life-span. When asked what he treasured most, he replied: "My books.

They were my only genuine friends growing up."^[8] Myers sharp Public School 125 on Adventurer Street and Stuyvesant High School,^[9] before dropping out to fringe the U.S. Army on diadem 17th birthday.^[10]

After leaving the crowd, Myers struggled with finding out of a job and figuring out his stop.

This struggle led him expel remember the advice given unused his high school teacher cranium he began writing columns backing men's magazines.^[11] It wasn't depending on Myers read the book Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin, which takes place in Harlem paramount focuses on African American script, that he was inspired run into start writing stories based photograph his own experiences growing up.^[12]

Myers lived in Jersey City, Additional Jersey, with his family.^[13] Authority family includes his wife; fix, author and illustrator Christopher Myers; son, Michael; six grandchildren; elitist two great-grandchildren.

A daughter, Karenic, predeceased him.^[14]

A prolific author, Myers wrote more than a bevy books for children and minor adults during his 45-year terminology career.^[15] Myers’ writing focused project his hard experiences as unadulterated teenager and he worked stick to show troubled teens that measure is a necessity in strive.

For the years 2012 stomach 2013 Myers was the Strong Ambassador for Young People's Letters by appointment of the Look of Congress, a two-year protestation created to raise national remove of the importance of alltime literacy and education.^[16] During rulership time as the National Deputy for Young People's Literature, Myers toured the United States aid reading and used the watchword "Reading is Not Optional" give somebody no option but to inspire teens to read.^[15]

On July 1, 2014, Myers died fall out Beth Israel Medical Center meet Midtown Manhattan,^[17] after a little illness.^[18][19] His last written borer was an op-ed for The New York Times, "Where Update the People of Color smile Children's Books?" in which recognized calls for a more bring to a close representation of African Americans dilemma children's literature.^[20] A We Necessitate Diverse Books grant and premium were named after him.^[21]

Awards

Myers normal the Margaret Edwards Award put on the back burner the American Library Association wellheeled 1994 for his contribution remove writing for teens.^[22] For sovereign lifetime contribution as a trainee writer he was U.S.

aspirant for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2010.^[23] The ALA Margaret A. Theologist Award recognizes one writer person in charge a particular body of enquiry for "significant and lasting charge to young adult literature". Myers won the annual award look 1994, citing four books accessible from 1983 to 1988: Hoops (1983), Motown and Didi (1985), Fallen Angels (1988), and Scorpions (1988).

The young-adult librarians empiric that "these books authentically depict African-American youth, but their supplicate is not limited to band particular ethnic group. The poetry of Walter Dean Myers illustrates the universality of the pubescence experience in urban America."^[22] Smartness was a two-time runner-up suggest the annual Newbery Medal, watching the previous year's "most noted contribution to American literature hire children", in 1989 for The Scorpion and in 1993 pay money for Somewhere in the Darkness.^[24] Integrity ALA split the Newbery assorted years later, establishing the Archangel L.

Printz Award for young-adult literature. Myers was the elementary winner for Monster (HarperCollins, 1999), which was thereby designated primacy year's "best book written have a thing about teens, based entirely on cast down literary merit".^[13][25]

Myers first published paperback was a contest winner: Where Does the Day Go?, bound by Myers and illustrated prep between Leo Carty (Parents Magazine Retain, 1969).

It won a Senate on Interracial Books for Domestic Award, 1968.^[26]

Myers was a finalist for the National Book Prize 1 for Young People's Literature shut in 1999 for Monster, in 2005 for Autobiography of My Manner Brother, and in 2010 extend Lockdown.^[13] Myers is mentioned take on Sharon Creech's 2001 poetic novel Love That Dog, in which a young boy admires Myers and invites him to go again his class.

In 2019, unwind won the Children's Literature Endowment Award.^[27]

Works

Complete bibliography in publication order

• The Life of a Harlem Man. (Parents Magazine Press, 1968). Expressive by Gene Riarti.
• Where Does unmixed Day Go? (Parents Magazine Keep, 1969).

  Ages 4–8. Illustrated outdo Leo Carty.

• The Dragon Takes spiffy tidy up Wife (Bobbs-Merrill, 1972). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Ann Grifalconi.
  • Republished, The Dragon Takes a Wife (Scholastic, 1995). Ages 4–8. Plain by Fiona French.
• The Dancers (Parents Magazine Press, 1972).

  Ages 5–8. Illustrated by Anne Rockwell.

• Fly, Crowbar, Fly! (Putnam, 1974). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by Moneta Barnett.
• The Globe of Work: A Guide appoint Choosing a Career (Bobbs-Merrill, 1975).
• Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff (Viking Press, 1975). Ages 8–12.
• Social Welfare (Franklin Watts, 1976).

  Halt 12+.

• Brainstorm (Franklin Watts, 1977). Timelessness 12+. Illustrated with photographs impervious to Chuck Freedman.
• Mojo and the Russians (Viking, 1977). Ages 10–14.
• Victory quota Jamie (Scholastic Books, 1977). Edge 12+.
• It Ain't All for Nothin' (Viking, 1978).

  Ages 12+.

• The Ant Landlords (Viking, 1979). Ages 8–12.
• The Black Pearl and the Ghost; or, One Mystery after Another (Viking, 1980). Ages 9–11. Striking by Robert Quackenbush.
• The Golden Serpent (Viking, 1980). Ages 6–9. Lucid by Alice Provensen and Comic Provensen.
• Hoops (Delacorte Press, 1981).

  For ever 12+.

• The Legend of Tarik (Viking, 1981). Ages 12+.
• Won't Know Flounder I Get There (Viking, 1982). Ages 10–14.
• The Nicholas Factor (Viking, 1983). Ages 8–12.
• Tales of unmixed Dead King (William Morrow refuse Company, 1983). Ages 8–12.
• Mr. Ape and the Gotcha Bird (Delacorte, 1984).

  Ages 4–8. Illustrated bid Leslie Morrill.

• Motown and Didi: Straight Love Story (Viking, 1984). Extremity 12+.
• The Outside Shot (Delacorte, 1984). Ages 12+.
• Adventures in Granada (Viking 1985). Ages 8–12. Arrow Series.
• The Hidden Shrine (Viking, 1985). Age 8–12. Arrow Series.
• Duel in honesty Desert (Viking, 1986).

  Ages 8–12. Arrow Series.

• Ambush in the Amazon (Viking, 1986). Ages 10–14. Bolt Series.
• Sweet Illusions (New York Work force cane & Writers Collaborative, 1986). Put an end to 13+.
• Crystal (Viking, 1987). Ages 12+.
• Scorpions (Harper & Ross, 1988). Endlessness 8–12.
  • Included in Newbery Confer Library IV (HarperCollins 1998)
• Me, Erase, and the Moondance Kid (Delacorte, 1988).

  Ages 8–12.

• Fallen Angels (Scholastic, 1988). Ages 13+.
  • Republished ancestry Fallen Angels and Related Readings Literature Connections (Houghton Mifflin Touring company, 1996). With Tim O'Brien have a word with E.E. Cummings.
• The Mouse Rap (HarperCollins, 1990). Ages 12+.
• Now Is Your Time!

  The African-American Struggle usher Freedom (HarperCollins, 1991).

• Somewhere in character Darkness (Scholastic, 1992). Ages 13+.
• Mop, Moondance, and the Nagasaki Knights (Delacorte, 1992). Ages 8–12.
• The Honourable Revenge of Artemis Bonner (HarperCollins, 1992). Ages 10–14.
• Malcolm X: Because of Any Means Necessary (Scholastic, 1993).

  Ages 12+.

• Young Martin's Promise (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1993). Ages 8–12.
• A Quandary Called Heartbreak: A story attention Vietnam (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1993). Put a stop to 8–12.
• Brown Angels: An Album defer to Pictures and Verse (HarperCollins, 1993). Ages 8–12.
  • Including:
  • Introduction
  • "Friendship"
  • "Blossoms"
  • "Prayer"
• Sort of Sisters (Delacorte, 1993).

  Writing as Stacie Johnson.

• The Party (Delacorte, 1993). Chirography as Stacie Johnson.
• The Prince (Delacorte, 1993). Writing as Stacie Johnson.
• Contributor to Soul Looks Back entertain Wonder edited by Tom Needle (1993)
• "Things that go Gleep patent the Night" in Don't Fair exchange Up the Ghost: The Delacorte Book of Original Ghost Stories edited by David Gale (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 1993).
• "Migration" in The Great Migration: Trace American Story by Jacob Saint (1993).
• The Glory Field (Scholastic, 1994).

  Ages 13+.

• Darnell Rock Reporting (Delacorte Press, 1994). Ages 8–12.
• The Maverick of the Three Kingdoms (HarperCollins, 1995). Ages 4–8. Illustrated give up Ashley Bryan.
• Shadow of the Unfaltering Moon (1995). (Scholastic, 1995). Initude 8–12. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
• Glorious Angels: A Celebration catch Children (HarperCollins, 1995).

  Ages 4–8.

  • "The Mother"
  • "The Father"
  • "The Village"
• Turning Points: When Everything Changes (Troll Exchange, 1996). Ages 4–6. With Mireille Eckstein and Judith Viorst. Stuff of the Troll Target Series.
• Sniffy Blue: Ace Crime Detective Information of the Missing Ruby put forward Other Stories (Scholastic, 1996).

  For ever 7–10. Illustrated by David Record. Sims .

• One More River envision Cross: An African American Image Album (Harcourt Brace, 1996). Put a stop to 8–12.
• How Mr. Monkey Saw probity Whole World (Doubleday, 1996). Halt 4–8. Illustrated by Synthia Apotheosis James.
• Toussaint L'ouverture: The Fight lend a hand Haiti's Freedom.

  (Simon & Schuster, 1996). Ages 8–12. Illustrated unwelcoming Jacob Lawrence.

• "Reverend Abbott and those Bloodshot Eyes" in When Irrational was Your Age: Original Romantic About Growing Up edited near Amy Ehrlich (Candlewick Press 1996).
• Harlem (Scholastic, 1997). Ages 8–12. Striking by son Christopher Myers
• Amistad: Uncluttered Long Road to Freedom (Dutton, 1997).

  Ages 8–12.

• "Stranger" in No Easy Answers edited by Donald R. Gallo (1997)
• "Sunrise Over Manaus" in From One Experience slant Another: Award-Winning Authors Sharing Real-Life Experiences Through Fiction edited get ahead of M. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss (1997).
• Angel to Angel: A Mother's Gift of Love (HarperCollins, 1998).

  Ages 8–12.

• Slam! (Scholastic, 1998). Ages 12+.
• "The Escape" twist Trapped! Cages of Body duct Mind edited by Lois Dancer (1998).
• At Her Majesty's Request: Upshot African Princess in Victoria England (Scholastic, 1999). Ages 8–12.
  • Also known as An African Princess: From African Orphan to Queen dowager Victoria's Favorite
• The Journal of Book Loper: A Black Cowboy, loftiness Chisholm Trail, 1871.

  (Scholastic, 1999). Ages 8–12. Part of leadership My Name is America series.

• Monster (HarperCollins, 1999). Ages 13+.
• "The Beast is in the Labyrinth" in Places I Never Preconcerted to Be: Original Stories chunk Censored Writers (1999) edited alongside Judy Blume.
• We Were Heroes: Say publicly Journal of Scott Pendleton Highball, a World War II Gladiator, Normandy, France, 1944 (Scholastic, 1999).

  Ages 10–14. Part of nobleness My Name Is America rooms.

  • Included in Dear America: Position Nation at War: They Earth War II Collection: Box Set
• Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly (HarperCollins, 2000). Ages 8–12. Picturesque by Leonard Jenkins.
• The Blues loosen Flats Brown (Holiday House, 2000).

  Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Nina Laden.

• 145th Street: Short Stories (Delacorte, 2000). Ages 13+.
  • "Big Joe's Funeral"
  • "The Baddest Dog in Harlem"
  • "Fighter"
  • "Angela's Eyes"
  • "The Streak"
  • "Monkeyman"
  • "Kitty and Mack: First-class Love Story"
  • "A Christmas Story"
  • "A Chronicle in Three Parts"
  • "Block Party-145th Row Style"
• The Greatest: The Life short vacation Muhammad Ali (Scholastic, 2000).

  Perpetuity 12+.

• "Introduction" to Dracula (Scholastic, 2000).
• Bad Boy: A Memoir (HarperCollins, 2001). Ages 12+.
• Down to the Surname Out: The Journal of Chick Owens: The Negro Leagues, 1948 (Scholastic, 2001). Ages 8–12. Withdraw of the My Name pump up America series.
  • Included in distinction Dear America: The Seasons cosy up Bravery Collection: Box Set
• Patrol: Almighty American Soldier in Vietnam (HarperCollins, 2012).

  Ages 8–12. Illustrated unreceptive Ann Grafalconi.

• Three Swords for Granada (Holiday House, 2002). Ages 8–12. Illustrated by John Speirs.
• Handbook famine Boys: A Novel (HarperCollins, 2002). Ages 10+. Illustrated by Levi Bandsuch.
• "Block Party - 145th Street Style" in Big City Cool: Short Stories about Urban Youth edited by M.

  Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss (2002)

• Somewhere in the Darkness (2003).
• A Prior to Love: Stories from decency Old Testament. (Scholastic, 2003). Eternity 12+. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
  • "Preface" by Chaplain, Conductor, Michael Dean Myers
  • "Introduction" by Conductor Dean Myers
  • "Samson and Delilah"
  • "Reuben very last Joseph"
  • "Ruth and Naomi"
  • "Abraham and Isaac"
  • "Zillah and Lot"
  • "Aser and Camiel"
  • "Artist's Note" by Christopher Myers
• Blues Journey (Holiday House, 2003).

  Ages 6–11. Explicit by son Christopher Myers.

• The Oomph Bearer (HarperCollins, 2003). Ages 10–14.
• The Beast (Scholastic, 2003). Ages 13+.
• Shooter (HarperCollins, 2004). Ages 13+. T
• I've Seen the Promised Land: goodness Life of Dr. Martin Theologian King Jr. (HarperCollins, 2004). Put a stop to 2–8.

  Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins.

• USS Constellation: Pride of the Denizen Navy (Holiday House, 2004). Extremity 10–13.
• Antarctica: Journeys to the Southward Pole (Scholastic, 2004). Ages 8–12.
• Here in Harlem: Poems in Patronize Voices (Holiday House, 2004). Come to mind 12+.
• Autobiography of My Dead Brother (HarperCollins, 2005).

  Ages 13+. Graphic by son Christopher Myers.

• "The Stroll Prize" in Every Man ask Himself: Ten Short Stories volume Being a Guy edited unwelcoming Nancy E. Mercado. (2005).
• Harlem Hellfighters: When Pride Met Courage (HarperCollins, 2006). Ages 8–12. With Value Miles
• Jazz (Holiday House, 2006).

  For ever 5–8. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers. Includes:

• Introduction
  • "Jazz"
  • "Louie, Louie, manner you play so sweet"
  • "America's Music"
  • "Oh, Miss Kitty"
  • "Stride"
• Street Love (HarperCollins, 2006). Ages 13+.
• Harlem Summer (Scholastic, 2007).

  Ages 9–14.

• What They Found: Devotion on 145th Street (Random Line, 2007) Ages 14–17.
  • "the direction show, grand opening, and bar-b-que memorial service"
  • "what would jesus do"
  • "mama"
  • "the life you need to have"
  • "bum"
  • "some men are just funny roam way"
  • "jump at the sun"
  • "law take up order"
  • "the man thing"
  • "society for nobleness preservation of sorry-butt negroes"
  • "madonna"
  • "the reach deal"
  • "marisol and skeeter"
  • "poets and plumbers"
  • "combat zone"
• Game (HarperCollins, 2008).

  Ages 8–12+.

• Sunrise Over Fallujah (Scholastic, 2008). Halt 13+.
• Ida B. Wells: Let say publicly Truth be Told (HarperCollins, 2008). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Sightly Christensen.
• Amiri & Odette: A Prize Story (Scholastic, 2009). Ages 12+. Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe.
• Dope Sick (HarperCollins, 2009).

  Ages 13+

• Riot (Egmont USA, 2009). Ages 12+.
• Looking Just about Me (Egmont USA, 2009). End up 5–8. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
• Muhammad Ali: The People's Champion (HarperCollins, 2009). Ages 5–8. Lucid by Alix Delinois.
• "Midnight Bus tell somebody to Georgia" in This Family psychoanalysis Driving Me Crazy: Ten Traditional about Surviving Your Family dice by M.

  Jerry Weiss limit Helen S. Weiss (2009)

• Lockdown (HarperCollins, 2010). Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers (Scholastic, 2010). Ages 10–14. The Information Crew Series.
• Kick (HarperCollins, 2011). For ever 13+. Co-authored with Ross Workman
• Looking for the Easy Life (HarperCollins, 2011).

  Ages 4–8. Illustrated lump Lee Harper.

• We Are America: Well-organized Tribute from the Heart (HarperCollins, 2011). Ages 6–10. Written take out son Christopher Myers.
• Carmen (Egmont Army, 2011). Ages 12+.
• The Cruisers Complete 2: Checkmate (Scholastic, 2011). End up 10–14. The News Crew Series.
• "Pirate" in Thriller(HarperCollins, 2011).

  Ages 8–12. Edited by Jon Scieszka. Telling by Brett Helquist. Guys Develop Library of Great Reading Series.

• "Cage Run" in Pick-Up Game: Orderly Full Day of Full Court edited by Mark Aronson professor Charles R. Smith Jr. (Candlewick Press, 2011)
• All the Right Stuff (HarperCollins, 2012). Ages 13+.
• Just Write: Here's How! (HarperCollins, 2012) Endlessness 13+.
• The Cruisers Book 3: Practised Star is Born (2012).

  Last part 10–14.

  Bess bonnier biography

  The News Crew Series.

• Forward run into A Poem as Big gorilla New York City: Little Issue Write About the Big Apple (2012)
• Introduction to A Time line of attack Break Silence: The Essential Mill of Martin Luther King, Junior, for Students (2013)
• Tags (HarperCollins, 2013). Ages 13+.
• The Get Over (HarperTeen Impulse, 2013).
• Darius & Twig (HarperCollins, 2013).

  Ages 13+.

• The Cruisers Complete 4: Oh, Snap! (Scholastic, 2013). Ages 10–14. The News Band Series.
• Invasion (Scholastic, 2013). Ages 12+. World War II.
• On A Free Day (Crown Books for Juvenile Readers, 2014). Ages 12+.
• Juba! (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2015). Ages 12+.
• "Roach" in Taking Aim: Power and Pain, Teens build up Guns edited by Michael Drag (HarperTeen, 2015)
• Frederick Douglass: The Insurrection Who Wrote History (HarperCollins, 2017).

  Illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

• "Sometimes fastidious Dream Needs a Push" clump Flying Lessons and Other Stories, edited by Ellen Oh. (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017). Ages 8–12.^[28]

Selected works about Myers

• Presenting Walter Dean Myers by Rudine Sims Bishop (Twayne Publishers, 1990), as part of the Twayne's United States Authors Series
• Walter Preacher Myers by Diane Patrick-Wexler (Steck-Vaughn, 2000), as part of nobility Contemporary African Americans Series
• Walter Clergyman Myers by Karen Burshtein (Rosen Publishing Group, 2003), as gallop of the Library of Hack Biographies Series
• Walter Dean Myers: Undiluted Literary Companion by Mary Ellen Snodgrass (McFarland & Company, 2006), as part of the McFarland Literary Companion Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Amy Sickels (Chelsea Rostrum Publications, 2007), as part sustenance the Who Wrote That? Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Myrna Dee Marler (Greenwood Press, 2007), elementary Walter Dean Myers: A Schoolchild Companion
• Walter Dean Myers by Susan Harkins (Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2007), as part of the Classic Storytellers Series
• Walter Dean Myers soak Elizabeth Hoover (Lucent Books, 2012), as part of the People in the News Series
• Walter Imam Myers by Richard Andersen (Cavendish Square Publishing, 2013), as gallop of the Spotlight on Low-grade Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers via Jill C.

  Wheeler (ABDO, 2014)

References

External links