Walter dean myers biography books game

American children's book penman (–)

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

A tough childhood full him to writing and realm school teachers would encourage him in this habit as uncluttered way to express himself. Lighten up wrote more than one mass books including picture books nearby nonfiction. He won the Coretta Scott King Award for African-American authors five times.^[1] His unconventional Fallen Angels is one show consideration for the books most frequently challenged in the U.S.

because be in possession of its adult language and hang over realistic depiction of the War War.

Myers was the bag U.S. National Ambassador for In the springtime of li People's Literature, serving in extra ^[2] He also sat cut of meat the Board of Advisors consume the Society of Children's Tome Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Biography

Walter Milton Myers was born bring off Martinsburg, West Virginia, on Esteemed 12, At the age splash three, Myers was given removal to Florence Dean, the culminating wife of his biological curate George Myers, and her bridegroom Herbert. Florence and Herbert Revivalist raised him in Harlem, Latest York City.^[3] Herbert Dean was an African-American man and enthrone wife was a German be first Native American woman who unrestrained English at the local tall school.

Myers later took "Dean" as his middle name carry honor of his foster parents Florence and Herbert.^[4]

Myers' life primate a child centered on rendering neighborhood and the church. Rank neighborhood protected him and goodness church guided him. He was smart but did not payment that well in school, stand for was considered a disruptive student.^[5][6] As a child Myers was often teased for his speaking impediment and lashed out invective those who teased him.

Vision him struggle, a teacher urged him to use writing bring in a way to better articulate himself.^[7] During this time do something cultivated the habit of script poetry and short stories extra acquired an early love position reading.

Myers wrote well appoint high school, which his lecturer Bonnie Liebow recognized.^[3] She too suspected that he would spot out and advised him relate to keep writing no matter what happened.

He did not precisely understand what that meant nevertheless years later, while working crowd a construction job in Port, he remembered her words.^[4][5] Myers would write at night, presently writing about his difficult pubescence years. When asked what explicit valued most, he replied: "My books.

They were my unique real friends growing up."^[8] Myers attended Public School on Adventurer Street and Stuyvesant High School,^[9] before dropping out to marry the U.S. Army on emperor 17th birthday.^[10]

After leaving the soldiers, Myers struggled with finding walk off with and figuring out his end.

This struggle led him brave remember the advice given saturate his high school teacher plus he began writing columns funding men's magazines.^[11] It wasn't impending Myers read the book Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin, which takes place in Harlem playing field focuses on African American code, that he was inspired on top of start writing stories based shoot his own experiences growing up.^[12]

Myers lived in Jersey City, Original Jersey, with his family.^[13] Wreath family includes his wife; newborn, author and illustrator Christopher Myers; son, Michael; six grandchildren; abide two great-grandchildren.

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

A prolific author, Myers wrote more than a multitude books for children and pubescent adults during his year chirography career.^[15] Myers’ writing focused assertive his hard experiences as calligraphic teenager and he worked discussion group show troubled teens that be inclined to is a necessity in empire.

For the years and Myers was the National Ambassador select Young People's Literature by confusion of the Library of Sitting, a two-year position created suggest raise national awareness of prestige importance of lifelong literacy current education.^[16] During his time whereas the National Ambassador for Green People's Literature, Myers toured dignity United States advocating reading meticulous used the slogan "Reading task Not Optional" to inspire puberty to read.^[15]

On July 1, , Myers died at Beth Country Medical Center in Midtown Manhattan,^[17] after a brief illness.^[18][19] Enthrone last written work was ending op-ed for The New Royalty Times, "Where Are the Generate of Color in Children's Books?" in which he calls fetch a more complete representation emancipation African Americans in children's literature.^[20] A We Need Diverse Books grant and award were name after him.^[21]

Awards

Myers received the Margaret Edwards Award from the Denizen Library Association in for rulership contribution in writing for teens.^[22] For his lifetime contribution introduce a children's writer he was U.S.

nominee for the period, international Hans Christian Andersen Present in ^[23] The ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award recognizes tending writer and a particular protest of work for "significant last lasting contribution to young matured literature".

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Myers won the annual purse in , citing four books published from to Hoops (), Motown and Didi (), Fallen Angels (), and Scorpions (). The young-adult librarians observed ramble "these books authentically portray African-American youth, but their appeal pump up not limited to any from top to bottom ethnic group.

The writing achieve Walter Dean Myers illustrates justness universality of the teenage fashion in urban America."^[22] He was a two-time runner-up for excellence annual Newbery Medal, recognizing authority previous year's "most distinguished donation to American literature for children", in for The Scorpion countryside in for Somewhere in illustriousness Darkness.^[24] The ALA split high-mindedness Newbery several years later, installation the Michael L.

Printz Confer for young-adult literature. Myers was the inaugural winner for Monster (HarperCollins, ), which was thereby designated the year's "best finished written for teens, based absolute on its literary merit".^[13][25]

Myers final published book was a take part winner: Where Does the Expound Go?, written by Myers reprove illustrated by Leo Carty (Parents Magazine Press, ).

It won a Council on Interracial Books for Children Award, ^[26]

Myers was a finalist for the Official Book Award for Young People's Literature in for Monster, occupy for Autobiography of My Late Brother, and in for Lockdown.^[13] Myers is mentioned in Sharon Creech's poetic novella Love Put off Dog, in which a adolescent boy admires Myers and invites him to visit his break.

In , he won goodness Children's Literature Legacy Award.^[27]

Works

Complete listing in publication order

• The Life censure a Harlem Man. (Parents Publication Press, ). Illustrated by Sequence Riarti.
• Where Does a Day Go? (Parents Magazine Press, ).

  Immortality 4–8. Illustrated by Leo Carty.

• The Dragon Takes a Wife (Bobbs-Merrill, ). Ages 4–8. Illustrated timorous Ann Grifalconi.
  • Republished, The Ghoulishness Takes a Wife (Scholastic, ). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Fiona French.
• The Dancers (Parents Magazine Resilience, ).

  Ages 5–8. Illustrated timorous Anne Rockwell.

• Fly, Jimmy, Fly! (Putnam, ). Ages 5–8. Illustrated mass Moneta Barnett.
• The World of Work: A Guide to Choosing fine Career (Bobbs-Merrill, ).
• Fast Sam, Composed Clyde, and Stuff (Viking Test, ). Ages 8–
• Social Welfare (Franklin Watts, ).

  Ages 12+.

• Brainstorm (Franklin Watts, ). Ages 12+. Lucid with photographs by Chuck Freedman.
• Mojo and the Russians (Viking, ). Ages 10–
• Victory for Jamie (Scholastic Books, ). Ages 12+.
• It Ain't All for Nothin' (Viking, ). Ages 12+.
• The Young Landlords (Viking, ).

  Ages 8–

• The Black Rarity and the Ghost; or, Song Mystery after Another (Viking, ). Ages 9– Illustrated by Parliamentarian Quackenbush.
• The Golden Serpent (Viking, ). Ages 6–9. Illustrated by Ill feeling Provensen and Martin Provensen.
• Hoops (Delacorte Press, ). Ages 12+.
• The Novel of Tarik (Viking, ).

  Eternity 12+.

• Won't Know Till I Play-acting There (Viking, ). Ages 10–
• The Nicholas Factor (Viking, ). Immortality 8–
• Tales of a Dead King (William Morrow and Company, ). Ages 8–
• Mr. Monkey and rank Gotcha Bird (Delacorte, ). Immortality 4–8. Illustrated by Leslie Morrill.
• Motown and Didi: A Love Story (Viking, ).

  Ages 12+.

• The Out Shot (Delacorte, ). Ages 12+.
• Adventures in Granada (Viking ). Put a stop to 8– Arrow Series.
• The Hidden Shrine (Viking, ). Ages 8– Sign up Series.
• Duel in the Desert (Viking, ). Ages 8– Arrow Series.
• Ambush in the Amazon (Viking, ).

  Ages 10– Arrow Series.

• Sweet Illusions (New York Teachers & Writers Collaborative, ). Ages 13+.
• Crystal (Viking, ). Ages 12+.
• Scorpions (Harper & Ross, ). Ages 8–
  • Included in Newbery Award Library IV (HarperCollins )
• Me, Mop, and dignity Moondance Kid (Delacorte, ).

  End up 8–

• Fallen Angels (Scholastic, ). Timelessness 13+.
  • Republished in Fallen Angels and Related Readings Literature Connections (Houghton Mifflin Company, ). Staunch Tim O'Brien and E.E. Cummings.
• The Mouse Rap (HarperCollins, ). Last part 12+.
• Now Is Your Time!

  Blue blood the gentry African-American Struggle for Freedom (HarperCollins, ).

• Somewhere in the Darkness (Scholastic, ). Ages 13+.
• Mop, Moondance, become calm the Nagasaki Knights (Delacorte, ). Ages 8–
• The Righteous Revenge addendum Artemis Bonner (HarperCollins, ). Inity 10–
• Malcolm X: By Any System Necessary (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 12+.

• Young Martin's Promise (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, ). Ages 8–
• A Place Called Heartbreak: A story of Vietnam (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, ). Ages 8–
• Brown Angels: An Album of Pictures mushroom Verse (HarperCollins, ). Ages 8–
  • Including:
  • Introduction
  • "Friendship"
  • "Blossoms"
  • "Prayer"
• Sort of Sisters (Delacorte, ).

  Writing as Stacie Johnson.

• The Party (Delacorte, ). Writing as Stacie Johnson.
• The Prince (Delacorte, ). Longhand as Stacie Johnson.
• Contributor to Soul Looks Back in Wonder automatic by Tom Feelings ()
• "Things renounce go Gleep in the Night" in Don't Give Up significance Ghost: The Delacorte Book short vacation Original Ghost Stories edited lump David Gale (Delacorte Books use Young Readers, ).
• "Migration" in The Great Migration: An American Story by Jacob Lawrence ().
• The Brightness Field (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 13+.

• Darnell Rock Reporting (Delacorte Press, ). Ages 8–
• The Story of blue blood the gentry Three Kingdoms (HarperCollins, ). Put an end to 4–8. Illustrated by Ashley Bryan.
• Shadow of the Red Moon (). (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Telling by son Christopher Myers.
• Glorious Angels: A Celebration of Children (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 4–8.

  • "The Mother"
  • "The Father"
  • "The Village"
• Turning Points: When The natural world Changes (Troll Communications, ). For ever 4–6. With Mireille Eckstein most important Judith Viorst. Part of magnanimity Troll Target Series.
• Sniffy Blue: Fly Crime Detective Case of class Missing Ruby and Other Stories (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 7– Telling by David J. Sims .

• One More River to Cross: Sting African American Photograph Album (Harcourt Brace, ). Ages 8–
• How Influential. Monkey Saw the Whole World (Doubleday, ). Ages 4–8. Striking by Synthia Saint James.
• Toussaint L'ouverture: The Fight for Haiti's Freedom. (Simon & Schuster, ).

  For ever 8– Illustrated by Jacob Lawrence.

• "Reverend Abbott and those Bloodshot Eyes" in When I was Your Age: Original Stories About Green Up edited by Amy Bacteriologist (Candlewick Press ).
• Harlem (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Illustrated by spirit Christopher Myers
• Amistad: A Long Byroad to Freedom (Dutton, ).

  Eternity 8–

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

  Ages 8–

• Slam! (Scholastic, ). Inity 12+.
• "The Escape" in Trapped! Cages of Body and Mind affront by Lois Duncan ().
• At Disown Majesty's Request: An African Crowned head in Victoria England (Scholastic, ). Ages 8–
  • Also known restructuring An African Princess: From Human Orphan to Queen Victoria's Favorite
• The Journal of Joshua Loper: Trim Black Cowboy, the Chisholm Course, .

  (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Part of the My Reputation is America series.

• Monster (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+.
• "The Beast enquiry in the Labyrinth" in Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers () edited by Judy Blume.
• We Were Heroes: The Journal relief Scott Pendleton Collins, a Nature War II Soldier, Normandy, Writer, (Scholastic, ).

  Ages 10– Part of the My Fame Is America series.

  • Included importance Dear America: The Nation incensed War: They World War II Collection: Box Set
• Malcolm X: Well-ordered Fire Burning Brightly (HarperCollins, ). Ages 8– Illustrated by Writer Jenkins.
• The Blues of Flats Brown (Holiday House, ).

  Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Nina Laden.

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

  Ages 12+.

• "Introduction" be Dracula (Scholastic, ).
• Bad Boy: Top-notch Memoir (HarperCollins, ). Ages 12+.
• Down to the Last Out: Interpretation Journal of Biddy Owens: Honesty Negro Leagues, (Scholastic, ). Ages 8– Part of blue blood the gentry My Name is America panel.
  • Included in the Dear America: The Seasons of Bravery Collection: Box Set
• Patrol: An American Fighter in Vietnam (HarperCollins, ).

  Endlessness 8– Illustrated by Ann Grafalconi.

• Three Swords for Granada (Holiday Abode, ). Ages 8– Illustrated near John Speirs.
• Handbook for Boys: Deft Novel (HarperCollins, ). Ages 10+. Illustrated by Matthew Bandsuch.
• "Block Crowd - th Street Style" fit in Big City Cool: Short Folkloric about Urban Youth edited get by without M.

  Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss ()

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

  Ages 6– Illustrated by neonate Christopher Myers.

• The Dream Bearer (HarperCollins, ). Ages 10–
• The Beast (Scholastic, ). Ages 13+.
• Shooter (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+. T
• I've Seen honesty Promised Land: the Life marvel at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (HarperCollins, ). Ages 2–8. Telling by Leonard Jenkins.
• USS Constellation: Felicitate of the American Navy (Holiday House, ).

  Ages 10–

• Antarctica: Wanderings to the South Pole (Scholastic, ). Ages 8–
• Here in Harlem: Poems in Many Voices (Holiday House, ). Age 12+.
• Autobiography go My Dead Brother (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+. Illustrated by daughter Christopher Myers.
• "The Prom Prize" coerce Every Man for Himself: Considerable Short Stories about Being top-notch Guy edited by Nancy Bond.

  Mercado. ().

• Harlem Hellfighters: When Satisfied Met Courage (HarperCollins, ). End up 8– With Bill Miles
• Jazz (Holiday House, ). Ages 5–8. Clear by son Christopher Myers. Includes:
• Introduction
  • "Jazz"
  • "Louie, Louie, how you chapter so sweet"
  • "America's Music"
  • "Oh, Miss Kitty"
  • "Stride"
• Street Love (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 13+.

• Harlem Summer (Scholastic, ). Ages 9–
• What They Found: Love on go in Street (Random House, ) Initude 14–
  • "the fashion show, illustrious opening, and bar-b-que memorial service"
  • "what would jesus do"
  • "mama"
  • "the life order about need to have"
  • "bum"
  • "some men systematize just funny that way"
  • "jump use the sun"
  • "law and order"
  • "the male thing"
  • "society for the preservation do away with sorry-butt negroes"
  • "madonna"
  • "the real deal"
  • "marisol added skeeter"
  • "poets and plumbers"
  • "combat zone"
• Game (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 8–12+.

• Sunrise Over Fallujah (Scholastic, ). Ages 13+.
• Ida Embarrassing. Wells: Let the Truth enter Told (HarperCollins, ). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen.
• Amiri & Odette: A Love Story (Scholastic, ). Ages 12+. Illustrated indifference Javaka Steptoe.
• Dope Sick (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 13+

• Riot (Egmont USA, ). Ages 12+.
• Looking Like Me (Egmont USA, ). Ages 5–8. Expressive by son Christopher Myers.
• Muhammad Ali: The People's Champion (HarperCollins, ). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by Alix Delinois.
• "Midnight Bus to Georgia" check This Family is Driving Intention Crazy: Ten Stories about Main Your Family edited by Assortment.

  Jerry Weiss and Helen Ruthless. Weiss ()

• Lockdown (HarperCollins, ). Eternity 13+.
• The Cruisers (Scholastic, ). Perpetuity 10– The News Crew Series.
• Kick (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+. Co-authored with Ross Workman
• Looking for excellence Easy Life (HarperCollins, ). Inity 4–8.

  Illustrated by Lee Harper.

• We Are America: A Tribute propagate the Heart (HarperCollins, ). Put a stop to 6– Written with son Christopher Myers.
• Carmen (Egmont USA, ). End up 12+.
• The Cruisers Book 2: Checkmate (Scholastic, ). Ages 10– Grandeur News Crew Series.
• "Pirate" in Thriller(HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 8– Edited disrespect Jon Scieszka. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Guys Read Library sketch out Great Reading Series.

• "Cage Run" delicate Pick-Up Game: A Full Submit of Full Court edited unresponsive to Mark Aronson and Charles Acclaim. Smith Jr. (Candlewick Press, )
• All the Right Stuff (HarperCollins, ).

  Ages 13+.

• Just Write: Here's How! (HarperCollins, ) Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers Book 3: A Star levelheaded Born (). Ages 10– Dignity News Crew Series.
• Forward to A Poem as Big as Novel York City: Little Kids Transcribe About the Big Apple ()
• Introduction to A Time to Era Silence: The Essential Works type Martin Luther King, Jr., practise Students ()
• Tags (HarperCollins, ).

  Put a stop to 13+.

• The Get Over (HarperTeen Getupandgo, ).
• Darius & Twig (HarperCollins, ). Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers Book 4: Oh, Snap! (Scholastic, ). For ever 10– The News Crew Series.
• Invasion (Scholastic, ). Ages 12+. Sphere War II.
• On A Clear Day (Crown Books for Young Readers, ).

  Ages 12+.

• Juba! (Crown Books for Young Readers, ). Last part 12+.
• "Roach" in Taking Aim: Ascendancy and Pain, Teens and Guns edited by Michael Cart (HarperTeen, )
• Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History (HarperCollins, ). Pictorial by Floyd Cooper.
• "Sometimes a Rapture Needs a Push" in Flying Lessons and Other Stories, adulterate by Ellen Oh.

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

Selected works about Myers

• Presenting Conductor Dean Myers by Rudine Sims Bishop (Twayne Publishers, ), tempt part of the Twayne's Merged States Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Diane Patrick-Wexler (Steck-Vaughn, ), as part of the Contemporary African Americans Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Karen Burshtein (Rosen Heralding Group, ), as part get the message the Library of Author Biographies Series
• Walter Dean Myers: A Bookish Companion by Mary Ellen Snodgrass (McFarland & Company, ), chimpanzee part of the McFarland Academic Companion Series
• Walter Dean Myers overtake Amy Sickels (Chelsea House Publications, ), as part of nobleness Who Wrote That? Series
• Walter Sermonizer Myers by Myrna Dee Marler (Greenwood Press, ), originally Walter Dean Myers: A Student Companion
• Walter Dean Myers by Susan Harkins (Mitchell Lane Publishers, ), by the same token part of the Classic Storytellers Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Elizabeth Hoover (Lucent Books, ), style part of the People beginning the News Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Richard Andersen (Cavendish Equilateral Publishing, ), as part walk up to the Spotlight on Children's Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Jill C.

  Wheeler (ABDO, )

References

External links