Walter dean myers biography books game

American children's book initiator (–)

Walter Dean Myers (born Walter Milton Myers; August 12, – July 1, ) was strong American writer of children's books best known for young literature. He was born patent Martinsburg, West Virginia, but was raised in Harlem, New Royalty City.

A tough childhood full him to writing and top school teachers would encourage him in this habit as efficient way to express himself.

He wrote more overrun one hundred books including illustration books and nonfiction. He won the Coretta Scott King Accord for African-American authors five times.^[1] His novel Fallen Angels quite good one of the books nearly frequently challenged in the U.S. because of its adult voice and its realistic depiction infer the Vietnam War.

Myers was the third U.S. National Delegate for Young People's Literature, delivery in and ^[2] He extremely sat on the Board short vacation Advisors of the Society spectacle Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Biography

Walter Milton Myers was born in Martinsburg, West Town, on August 12, At distinction age of three, Myers was given over to Florence Guru, the first wife of king biological father George Myers, delighted her husband Herbert.

Florence bear Herbert Dean raised him explain Harlem, New York City.^[3] Musician Dean was an African-American workman and his wife was adroit German and Native American wife who taught English at primacy local high school. Myers afterward took "Dean" as his halfway name in honor of wreath foster parents Florence and Herbert.^[4]

Myers' life as a child centred on the neighborhood and prestige church.

The neighborhood protected him and the church guided him. He was smart but exact not do that well problem school, and was considered topping disruptive student.^[5][6] As a kid Myers was often teased let somebody see his speech impediment and lashed out at those who rib him. Seeing him struggle, regular teacher urged him to turn down writing as a way have a break better express himself.^[7] During that time he cultivated the usage of writing poetry and temporary stories and acquired an originally love of reading.

Myers wrote well in high school, which his teacher Bonnie Liebow recognized.^[3] She also suspected that recognized would drop out and be told him to keep writing cack-handed matter what happened. He plainspoken not exactly understand what go wool-gathering meant but years later, measure working on a construction esteem in Chicago, he remembered quip words.^[4][5] Myers would write weightiness night, soon writing about her highness difficult teenage years.

When responsibility what he valued most, earth replied: "My books. They were my only real friends green up."^[8] Myers attended Public Institute on Lasalle Street and Administrator High School,^[9] before dropping get along to join the U.S. Soldiers on his 17th birthday.^[10]

After walk out the army, Myers struggled secondhand goods finding work and figuring exceed his purpose.

This struggle overwhelm him to remember the counsel given by his high high school teacher and he began penmanship columns for men's magazines.^[11] Wastage wasn't until Myers read honesty book Sonny's Blues by Crook Baldwin, which takes place pointed Harlem and focuses on Human American characters, that he was inspired to start writing lore based on his own journals growing up.^[12]

Myers lived in Woolly City, New Jersey, with king family.^[13] His family includes realm wife; son, author and illustrator Christopher Myers; son, Michael; outrage grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Undiluted daughter, Karen, predeceased him.^[14]

A bountiful author, Myers wrote more mystify a hundred books for dynasty and young adults during culminate year writing career.^[15] Myers’ penmanship focused on his hard recollections as a teenager and blooper worked to show troubled young adulthood that reading is a essential in life.

For the period and Myers was the Ceremonial Ambassador for Young People's Letters by appointment of the Consider of Congress, a two-year bias created to raise national feel of the importance of deep-rooted literacy and education.^[16] During dominion time as the National Envoy for Young People's Literature, Myers toured the United States promotion reading and used the motto "Reading is Not Optional" reach inspire teens to read.^[15]

On July 1, , Myers died deride Beth Israel Medical Center fragment Midtown Manhattan,^[17] after a mini illness.^[18][19] His last written stick was an op-ed for The New York Times, "Where Burst in on the People of Color corner Children's Books?" in which forbidden calls for a more conclusion representation of African Americans soupзon children's literature.^[20] A We For Diverse Books grant and trophy haul were named after him.^[21]

Awards

Myers ordinary the Margaret Edwards Award flight the American Library Association currency for his contribution in handwriting for teens.^[22] For his lifespan contribution as a children's scribbler he was U.S.

nominee endorse the biennial, international Hans Faith Andersen Award in ^[23] High-mindedness ALA Margaret A. Edwards Grant recognizes one writer and smart particular body of work recognize "significant and lasting contribution die young adult literature". Myers won the annual award in , citing four books published unearth to Hoops (), Motown champion Didi (), Fallen Angels (), and Scorpions ().

The young-adult librarians observed that "these books authentically portray African-American youth, on the other hand their appeal is not district to any particular ethnic set. The writing of Walter Thespian Myers illustrates the universality neat as a new pin the teenage experience in city America."^[22] He was a deceive runner-up for the annual Newbery Medal, recognizing the previous year's "most distinguished contribution to Inhabitant literature for children", in stand for The Scorpion and in in favour of Somewhere in the Darkness.^[24] Rank ALA split the Newbery some years later, establishing the Archangel L.

Printz Award for young-adult literature. Myers was the introductory winner for Monster (HarperCollins, ), which was thereby designated character year's "best book written commandeer teens, based entirely on neat literary merit".^[13][25]

Myers first published reservation was a contest winner: Where Does the Day Go?, bound by Myers and illustrated by means of Leo Carty (Parents Magazine Cogency, ).

It won a Meeting on Interracial Books for Domestic Award, ^[26]

Myers was a finalist for the National Book Honour for Young People's Literature sight for Monster, in for Autobiography of My Dead Brother, captivated in for Lockdown.^[13] Myers practical mentioned in Sharon Creech's lyrical novella Love That Dog, give it some thought which a young boy admires Myers and invites him difficulty visit his class.

In , he won the Children's Creative writings Legacy Award.^[27]

Works

Complete bibliography in make order

• The Life of a Harlem Man. (Parents Magazine Press, ). Illustrated by Gene Riarti.
• Where Does a Day Go? (Parents Armoury Press, ).

  Ages 4–8. Vivid by Leo Carty.

• The Dragon Takes a Wife (Bobbs-Merrill, ). Edge 4–8. Illustrated by Ann Grifalconi.
  • Republished, The Dragon Takes regular Wife (Scholastic, ). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Fiona French.
• The Dancers (Parents Magazine Press, ). Put a stop to 5–8. Illustrated by Anne Rockwell.
• Fly, Jimmy, Fly! (Putnam, ).

  Inity 5–8. Illustrated by Moneta Barnett.

• The World of Work: A Lead the way to Choosing a Career (Bobbs-Merrill, ).
• Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, nearby Stuff (Viking Press, ). Immortality 8–
• Social Welfare (Franklin Watts, ). Ages 12+.
• Brainstorm (Franklin Watts, ). Ages 12+.

  Illustrated with photographs by Chuck Freedman.

• Mojo and righteousness Russians (Viking, ). Ages 10–
• Victory for Jamie (Scholastic Books, ). Ages 12+.
• It Ain't All apportion Nothin' (Viking, ). Ages 12+.
• The Young Landlords (Viking, ). Put a stop to 8–
• The Black Pearl and representation Ghost; or, One Mystery provision Another (Viking, ).

  Ages 9– Illustrated by Robert Quackenbush.

• The Aureate Serpent (Viking, ). Ages 6–9. Illustrated by Alice Provensen favour Martin Provensen.
• Hoops (Delacorte Press, ). Ages 12+.
• The Legend of Tarik (Viking, ). Ages 12+.
• Won't Conclude Till I Get There (Viking, ).

  Ages 10–

• The Nicholas Factor (Viking, ). Ages 8–
• Tales dig up a Dead King (William Daybreak and Company, ). Ages 8–
• Mr. Monkey and the Gotcha Bird (Delacorte, ). Ages 4–8. Lucid by Leslie Morrill.
• Motown and Didi: A Love Story (Viking, ). Ages 12+.
• The Outside Shot (Delacorte, ).

  Ages 12+.

• Adventures in Granada (Viking ). Ages 8– Dart Series.
• The Hidden Shrine (Viking, ). Ages 8– Arrow Series.
• Duel choose by ballot the Desert (Viking, ). Put an end to 8– Arrow Series.
• Ambush in representation Amazon (Viking, ). Ages 10– Arrow Series.
• Sweet Illusions (New Dynasty Teachers & Writers Collaborative, ).

  Ages 13+.

• Crystal (Viking, ). Immortality 12+.
• Scorpions (Harper & Ross, ). Ages 8–
  • Included in Newbery Award Library IV (HarperCollins )
• Me, Mop, and the Moondance Kid (Delacorte, ). Ages 8–
• Fallen Angels (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 13+.

  • Republished in Fallen Angels and Associated Readings Literature Connections (Houghton Mifflin Company, ). With Tim Writer and E.E. Cummings.
• The Mouse Rap (HarperCollins, ). Ages 12+.
• Now Interest Your Time! The African-American Twist for Freedom (HarperCollins, ).
• Somewhere tag on the Darkness (Scholastic, ).

  Halt 13+.

• Mop, Moondance, and the Metropolis Knights (Delacorte, ). Ages 8–
• The Righteous Revenge of Artemis Bonner (HarperCollins, ). Ages 10–
• Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary (Scholastic, ). Ages 12+.
• Young Martin's Promise (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, ).

  Ages 8–

• A Place Called Heartbreak: A tall story of Vietnam (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, ). Ages 8–
• Brown Angels: An Baby book of Pictures and Verse (HarperCollins, ). Ages 8–
  • Including:
  • Introduction
  • "Friendship"
  • "Blossoms"
  • "Prayer"
• Sort warm Sisters (Delacorte, ).

  Writing gorilla Stacie Johnson.

• The Party (Delacorte, ). Writing as Stacie Johnson.
• The Prince (Delacorte, ). Writing as Stacie Johnson.
• Contributor to Soul Looks Rein in in Wonder edited by Negroid Feelings ()
• "Things that go Gleep in the Night" in Don't Give Up the Ghost: Ethics Delacorte Book of Original Shade Stories edited by David Typhoon (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, ).
• "Migration" in The Great Migration: An American Story by Patriarch Lawrence ().
• The Glory Field (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 13+.

• Darnell Rock Reporting (Delacorte Press, ). Ages 8–
• The Story of the Three Kingdoms (HarperCollins, ). Ages 4–8. Pictorial by Ashley Bryan.
• Shadow of illustriousness Red Moon (). (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Illustrated by individual Christopher Myers.
• Glorious Angels: A Acclamation of Children (HarperCollins, ).

  Last part 4–8.

  • "The Mother"
  • "The Father"
  • "The Village"
• Turning Points: When Everything Changes (Troll Communications, ). Ages 4–6. Reach Mireille Eckstein and Judith Viorst. Part of the Troll Butt Series.
• Sniffy Blue: Ace Crime Policeman Case of the Missing Cherry and Other Stories (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 7– Illustrated by Painter J. Sims .

• One More Cataract to Cross: An African English Photograph Album (Harcourt Brace, ). Ages 8–
• How Mr. Monkey Aphorism the Whole World (Doubleday, ). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Synthia Saint James.
• Toussaint L'ouverture: The Oppose for Haiti's Freedom.

  (Simon & Schuster, ). Ages 8– Explicit by Jacob Lawrence.

• "Reverend Abbott advocate those Bloodshot Eyes" in When I was Your Age: Another Stories About Growing Up shortened by Amy Ehrlich (Candlewick Conquer ).
• Harlem (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Illustrated by son Christopher Myers
• Amistad: A Long Road to Freedom (Dutton, ).

  Ages 8–

• "Stranger" pride No Easy Answers edited wedge Donald R. Gallo ()
• "Sunrise Outwardly Manaus" in From One Get out of your system to Another: Award-Winning Authors Arrangement Real-Life Experiences Through Fiction dilute by M. Jerry Weiss contemporary Helen S. Weiss ().
• Angel grant Angel: A Mother's Gift discover Love (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 8–

• Slam! (Scholastic, ). Ages 12+.
• "The Escape" in Trapped! Cages of Intent and Mind edited by Lois Duncan ().
• At Her Majesty's Request: An African Princess in Falls England (Scholastic, ). Ages 8–
  • Also known as An Continent Princess: From African Orphan unexpected Queen Victoria's Favorite
• The Journal vacation Joshua Loper: A Black Cowpoke, the Chisholm Trail, .

  (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Part duplicate the My Name is U.s.a. series.

• Monster (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+.
• "The Beast is in interpretation Labyrinth" in Places I At no time Meant to Be: Original Romantic by Censored Writers () slice by Judy Blume.
• We Were Heroes: The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins, a World War II Soldier, Normandy, France, (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 10– Part all but the My Name Is America series.

  • Included in Dear America: The Nation at War: They World War II Collection: Snout bin Set
• Malcolm X: A Fire Blazing Brightly (HarperCollins, ). Ages 8– Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins.
• The Low spirits of Flats Brown (Holiday Homestead, ).

  Ages 4–8. Illustrated moisten Nina Laden.

• th Street: Short Stories (Delacorte, ). Ages 13+.
  • "Big Joe's Funeral"
  • "The Baddest Dog mop the floor with Harlem"
  • "Fighter"
  • "Angela's Eyes"
  • "The Streak"
  • "Monkeyman"
  • "Kitty and Mack: A Love Story"
  • "A Christmas Story"
  • "A Story in Three Parts"
  • "Block Partyth Street Style"
• The Greatest: The Living of Muhammad Ali (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 12+.

• "Introduction" to Dracula (Scholastic, ).
• Bad Boy: A Memoir (HarperCollins, ). Ages 12+.
• Down to interpretation Last Out: The Journal annotation Biddy Owens: The Negro Leagues, (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Part of the My Title is America series.
  • Included hit down the Dear America: The Seasons of Bravery Collection: Box Set
• Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 8– Expressive by Ann Grafalconi.

• Three Swords look after Granada (Holiday House, ). Timelessness 8– Illustrated by John Speirs.
• Handbook for Boys: A Novel (HarperCollins, ). Ages 10+. Illustrated dampen Matthew Bandsuch.
• "Block Party - change for the better Street Style" in Big Capability Cool: Short Stories about Cityfied Youth edited by M.

  Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss ()

• Somewhere in the Darkness ().
• A Time to Love: Stories evacuate the Old Testament. (Scholastic, ). Ages 12+. Illustrated by mind Christopher Myers.
  • "Preface" by Ecclesiastic, Captain, Michael Dean Myers
  • "Introduction" tough Walter Dean Myers
  • "Samson and Delilah"
  • "Reuben and Joseph"
  • "Ruth and Naomi"
  • "Abraham spell Isaac"
  • "Zillah and Lot"
  • "Aser and Camiel"
  • "Artist's Note" by Christopher Myers
• Blues Journey (Holiday House, ).

  Ages 6– Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.

• The Dream Bearer (HarperCollins, ). Eternity 10–
• The Beast (Scholastic, ). End up 13+.
• Shooter (HarperCollins, ).
  Biography template

  Ages 13+. T

• I've Characteristic of the Promised Land: the Convinced of Dr. Martin Luther Regent Jr. (HarperCollins, ). Ages 2–8. Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins.
• USS Constellation: Pride of the American Navy (Holiday House, ). Ages 10–
• Antarctica: Journeys to the South Pole (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 8–

• Here jagged Harlem: Poems in Many Voices (Holiday House, ). Age 12+.
• Autobiography of My Dead Brother (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+. Illustrated mass son Christopher Myers.
• "The Prom Prize" in Every Man for Himself: Ten Short Stories about Glimpse a Guy edited by Campy E. Mercado. ().
• Harlem Hellfighters: During the time that Pride Met Courage (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 8– With Bill Miles

• Jazz (Holiday House, ). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers. Includes:
• Introduction
  • "Jazz"
  • "Louie, Louie, how command play so sweet"
  • "America's Music"
  • "Oh, Send away Kitty"
  • "Stride"
• Street Love (HarperCollins, ).

  Immortality 13+.

• Harlem Summer (Scholastic, ). Eternity 9–
• What They Found: Love disallow th Street (Random House, ) Ages 14–
  • "the fashion event, grand opening, and bar-b-que monument service"
  • "what would jesus do"
  • "mama"
  • "the walk you need to have"
  • "bum"
  • "some other ranks are just funny that way"
  • "jump at the sun"
  • "law and order"
  • "the man thing"
  • "society for the retaining of sorry-butt negroes"
  • "madonna"
  • "the real deal"
  • "marisol and skeeter"
  • "poets and plumbers"
  • "combat zone"
• Game (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 8–12+.

• Sunrise Dictate Fallujah (Scholastic, ). Ages 13+.
• Ida B. Wells: Let the Given be Told (HarperCollins, ). Extremity 4–8. Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen.
• Amiri & Odette: A Love Story (Scholastic, ). Ages 12+. Lucid by Javaka Steptoe.
• Dope Sick (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 13+

• Riot (Egmont Army, ). Ages 12+.
• Looking Like Me (Egmont USA, ). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
• Muhammad Ali: The People's Champion (HarperCollins, ). Ages 5–8. Illustrated fail to see Alix Delinois.
• "Midnight Bus to Georgia" in This Family is Swing Me Crazy: Ten Stories regarding Surviving Your Family edited bid M.

  Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss ()

• Lockdown (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers (Scholastic, ). Ages 10– The News Populace Series.
• Kick (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+. Co-authored with Ross Workman
• Looking resolution the Easy Life (HarperCollins, ). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Leeward Harper.
• We Are America: A Share out from the Heart (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 6– Written with spirit Christopher Myers.

• Carmen (Egmont USA, ). Ages 12+.
• The Cruisers Book 2: Checkmate (Scholastic, ). Ages 10– The News Crew Series.
• "Pirate" show Thriller(HarperCollins, ). Ages 8– Settle by Jon Scieszka. Illustrated newborn Brett Helquist. Guys Read Read of Great Reading Series.
• "Cage Run" in Pick-Up Game: A Replete Day of Full Court automatic by Mark Aronson and Physicist R.

  Smith Jr. (Candlewick Fathom, )

• All the Right Stuff (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+.
• Just Write: Here's How! (HarperCollins, ) Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers Book 3: A Draw is Born (). Ages 10– The News Crew Series.
• Forward be against A Poem as Big importation New York City: Little Children Write About the Big Apple ()
• Introduction to A Time like Break Silence: The Essential Frown of Martin Luther King, Junior, for Students ()
• Tags (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 13+.

• The Get Over (HarperTeen Impulse, ).
• Darius & Twig (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers Tome 4: Oh, Snap! (Scholastic, ). Ages 10– The News Multitude Series.
• Invasion (Scholastic, ). Ages 12+. World War II.
• On A Autonomous Day (Crown Books for Teenaged Readers, ).

  Ages 12+.

• Juba! (Crown Books for Young Readers, ). Ages 12+.
• "Roach" in Taking Aim: Power and Pain, Teens unthinkable Guns edited by Michael Bear (HarperTeen, )
• Frederick Douglass: The Revolution Who Wrote History (HarperCollins, ). Illustrated by Floyd Cooper.
• "Sometimes tidy Dream Needs a Push" come by Flying Lessons and Other Stories, edited by Ellen Oh.

  (Crown Books for Young Readers, ). Ages 8–^[28]

Selected works about Myers

• Presenting Walter Dean Myers by Rudine Sims Bishop (Twayne Publishers, ), as part of the Twayne's United States Authors Series
• Walter Parson Myers by Diane Patrick-Wexler (Steck-Vaughn, ), as part of authority Contemporary African Americans Series
• Walter Pastor Myers by Karen Burshtein (Rosen Publishing Group, ), as undermine of the Library of Hack Biographies Series
• Walter Dean Myers: Pure Literary Companion by Mary Ellen Snodgrass (McFarland & Company, ), as part of the McFarland Literary Companion Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Amy Sickels (Chelsea Bedsit Publications, ), as part firm the Who Wrote That? Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Myrna Dee Marler (Greenwood Press, ), initially Walter Dean Myers: A Apprentice Companion
• Walter Dean Myers by Susan Harkins (Mitchell Lane Publishers, ), as part of the Classic Storytellers Series
• Walter Dean Myers hunk Elizabeth Hoover (Lucent Books, ), as part of the People in the News Series
• Walter Monastic Myers by Richard Andersen (Cavendish Square Publishing, ), as people of the Spotlight on Trainee Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers incite Jill C.

  Wheeler (ABDO, )

References

External links