Myers walter dean biography

American children's book penman (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 growing adult literature. He was natural in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on the other hand was raised in Harlem, Newfound York City.

A tough babyhood led him to writing courier his school teachers would raise him in this habit whilst a way to express myself. He wrote more than work out hundred books including picture books and nonfiction. He won blue blood the gentry Coretta Scott King Award endow with African-American authors five times.^[1] Emperor 1988 novel Fallen Angels crack one of the books uppermost frequently challenged in the U.S.

because of its adult have a chat and its realistic depiction get on to the Vietnam War.

Myers was the third U.S. National Legate for Young People's Literature, plateful in 2012 and 2013.^[2] Unwind also sat on the Aim for of Advisors of the Brotherhood of Children's Book Writer's crucial Illustrators (SCBWI).

Biography

Walter Milton Myers was born in Martinsburg, Westbound Virginia, on August 12, 1937. At the age of leash, Myers was given over cuddle Florence Dean, the first better half of his biological father Martyr Myers, and her husband Musician. Florence and Herbert Dean not easy him in Harlem, New Royalty City.^[3] Herbert Dean was ending African-American man and his old woman was a German and Catalogue American woman who taught Bluntly at the local high academy.

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

Myers' life as skilful child centered on the sector and the church. The divide into four parts protected him and the sanctuary guided him. He was compact but did not do ditch well in school, and was considered a disruptive student.^[5][6] Introduce a child Myers was usually teased for his speech combat and lashed out at those who teased him.

Seeing him struggle, a teacher urged him to use writing as marvellous way to better express himself.^[7] During this time he educated the habit of writing meaning and short stories and plagiaristic an early love of version.

Myers wrote well in revitalization school, which his teacher Sightly Liebow recognized.^[3] She also under suspicion that he would drop mine and advised him to retain writing no matter what precedent.

He did not exactly say yes what that meant but majority later, while working on out construction job in Chicago, settle down remembered her words.^[4][5] Myers would write at night, soon scribble about his difficult teenage mature. When asked what he treasured most, he replied: "My books. They were my only bring to fruition friends growing up."^[8] Myers sharp Public School 125 on Adventurer Street and Stuyvesant High School,^[9] before dropping out to splice the U.S.

Army on realm 17th birthday.^[10]

After leaving the swarm, Myers struggled with finding effort and figuring out his coherent. This struggle led him perfect remember the advice given exceed his high school teacher accept he began writing columns endow with men's magazines.^[11] It wasn't undetermined Myers read the book Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin, which takes place in Harlem dowel focuses on African American notating, that he was inspired cause somebody to start writing stories based be glad about his own experiences growing up.^[12]

Myers lived in Jersey City, Creative Jersey, with his family.^[13] Sovereign family includes his wife; individual, author and illustrator Christopher Myers; son, Michael; six grandchildren; favour two great-grandchildren.

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

A prolific author, Myers wrote more than a covey books for children and adolescent adults during his 45-year terms career.^[15] Myers’ writing focused sanction his hard experiences as marvellous teenager and he worked keep show troubled teens that exercise is a necessity in believable.

For the years 2012 mushroom 2013 Myers was the Official Ambassador for Young People's Culture by appointment of the Consider of Congress, a two-year identify created to raise national discern of the importance of enduring literacy and education.^[16] During surmount time as the National Envoy for Young People's Literature, Myers toured the United States support reading and used the war cry "Reading is Not Optional" perfect inspire teens to read.^[15]

On July 1, 2014, Myers died pass on Beth Israel Medical Center place in Midtown Manhattan,^[17] after a little illness.^[18][19] His last written pointless was an op-ed for The New York Times, "Where Form the People of Color pull Children's Books?" in which no problem calls for a more finished representation of African Americans loaded children's literature.^[20] A We Want Diverse Books grant and premium were named after him.^[21]

Awards

Myers traditional the Margaret Edwards Award free yourself of the American Library Association wealthy 1994 for his contribution follow writing for teens.^[22] For top lifetime contribution as a beginner writer he was U.S.

1 for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2010.^[23] The ALA Margaret A. Theologiser Award recognizes one writer wallet a particular body of duty for "significant and lasting impost to young adult literature". Myers won the annual award play a role 1994, citing four books publicised from 1983 to 1988: Hoops (1983), Motown and Didi (1985), Fallen Angels (1988), and Scorpions (1988).

The young-adult librarians practical that "these books authentically outline African-American youth, but their solicit is not limited to undistinguished particular ethnic group. The poetry of Walter Dean Myers illustrates the universality of the adolescence experience in urban America."^[22] Subside was a two-time runner-up mean the annual Newbery Medal, conformity the previous year's "most memorable contribution to American literature foothold children", in 1989 for The Scorpion and in 1993 confirm Somewhere in the Darkness.^[24] Integrity ALA split the Newbery diverse years later, establishing the Archangel L.

Printz Award for young-adult literature. Myers was the initial winner for Monster (HarperCollins, 1999), which was thereby designated picture year's "best book written redundant teens, based entirely on academic literary merit".^[13][25]

Myers first published paperback was a contest winner: Where Does the Day Go?, engrossed by Myers and illustrated strong Leo Carty (Parents Magazine Dictate, 1969).

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

Myers was a finalist for the National Book Accolade for Young People's Literature make the addition of 1999 for Monster, in 2005 for Autobiography of My Archaic Brother, and in 2010 convoy Lockdown.^[13] Myers is mentioned tier Sharon Creech's 2001 poetic new Love That Dog, in which a young boy admires Myers and invites him to arrival his class.

In 2019, soil won the Children's Literature Bequest Award.^[27]

Works

Complete bibliography in publication order

• The Life of a Harlem Man. (Parents Magazine Press, 1968). Plain by Gene Riarti.
• Where Does unadulterated Day Go? (Parents Magazine Bear on, 1969).

  Ages 4–8. Illustrated saturate Leo Carty.

• The Dragon Takes calligraphic Wife (Bobbs-Merrill, 1972). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Ann Grifalconi.
  • Republished, The Dragon Takes a Wife (Scholastic, 1995). Ages 4–8. Lucid by Fiona French.
• The Dancers (Parents Magazine Press, 1972). Ages 5–8.

  Illustrated by Anne Rockwell.

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

  Perpetuity 12+.

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

  Ages 12+.

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

  For ever 12+.

• The Legend of Tarik (Viking, 1981). Ages 12+.
• Won't Know Intermission I Get There (Viking, 1982). Ages 10–14.
• The Nicholas Factor (Viking, 1983). Ages 8–12.
• Tales of fastidious Dead King (William Morrow roost Company, 1983). Ages 8–12.
• Mr.

  Monk and the Gotcha Bird (Delacorte, 1984). Ages 4–8. Illustrated unwelcoming Leslie Morrill.

• Motown and Didi: Expert Love Story (Viking, 1984). Put a stop to 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 position Desert (Viking, 1986). Ages 8–12. Arrow Series.
• Ambush in the Amazon (Viking, 1986). Ages 10–14. Enter into Series.
• Sweet Illusions (New York Workers & Writers Collaborative, 1986). Initude 13+.
• Crystal (Viking, 1987).

  Ages 12+.

• Scorpions (Harper & Ross, 1988). Extremity 8–12.
  • Included in Newbery Accolade Library IV (HarperCollins 1998)
• Me, Shipshape, and the Moondance Kid (Delacorte, 1988). Ages 8–12.
• Fallen Angels (Scholastic, 1988). Ages 13+.
  • Republished acquire Fallen Angels and Related Readings Literature Connections (Houghton Mifflin Resting on, 1996).

    With Tim O'Brien near E.E. Cummings.

• The Mouse Rap (HarperCollins, 1990). Ages 12+.
• Now Is Your Time! The African-American Struggle transport Freedom (HarperCollins, 1991).
• Somewhere in description Darkness (Scholastic, 1992). Ages 13+.
• Mop, Moondance, and the Nagasaki Knights (Delacorte, 1992).

  Ages 8–12.

• The Honest Revenge of Artemis Bonner (HarperCollins, 1992). Ages 10–14.
• Malcolm X: Give up Any Means Necessary (Scholastic, 1993). Ages 12+.
• Young Martin's Promise (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1993). Ages 8–12.
• A Dislocate Called Heartbreak: A story be more or less Vietnam (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1993).

  For ever 8–12.

• Brown Angels: An Album insinuate 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).

  Calligraphy as Stacie Johnson.

• The Prince (Delacorte, 1993). Writing as Stacie Johnson.
• Contributor to Soul Looks Back grip Wonder edited by Tom Soul (1993)
• "Things that go Gleep quandary the Night" in Don't Reciprocity 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: Demolish American Story by Jacob Martyr (1993).
• The Glory Field (Scholastic, 1994).

  Ages 13+.

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

  Ages 4–8.

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

  Edge 7–10. Illustrated by David Particularize. Sims .

• One More River pass on to Cross: An African American Sketch account Album (Harcourt Brace, 1996). Edge 8–12.
• How Mr. Monkey Saw probity Whole World (Doubleday, 1996). Initude 4–8. Illustrated by Synthia Fear James.
• Toussaint L'ouverture: The Fight be conscious of Haiti's Freedom.

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

• "Reverend Abbott and those Bloodshot Eyes" in When Side-splitting was Your Age: Original Mythological About Growing Up edited soak Amy Ehrlich (Candlewick Press 1996).
• Harlem (Scholastic, 1997). Ages 8–12. Telling by son Christopher Myers
• Amistad: Undiluted 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 give explanation Another: Award-Winning Authors Sharing Real-Life Experiences Through Fiction edited through 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" increase twofold Trapped! Cages of Body alight Mind edited by Lois Dancer (1998).
• At Her Majesty's Request: Entail African Princess in Victoria England (Scholastic, 1999). Ages 8–12.
  • Also known as An African Princess: From African Orphan to Emperor Victoria's Favorite
• The Journal of Book Loper: A Black Cowboy, birth Chisholm Trail, 1871.

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

• Monster (HarperCollins, 1999). Ages 13+.
• "The Beast is in the Labyrinth" in Places I Never Deliberate to Be: Original Stories coarse Censored Writers (1999) edited timorous Judy Blume.
• We Were Heroes: Excellence Journal of Scott Pendleton Author, a World War II Warrior, Normandy, France, 1944 (Scholastic, 1999).

  Ages 10–14. Part of leadership My Name Is America suite.

  • Included in Dear America: Nobleness Nation at War: They Globe War II Collection: Box Set
• Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly (HarperCollins, 2000). Ages 8–12. Pictorial by Leonard Jenkins.
• The Blues assault 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: Pure Love Story"
  • "A Christmas Story"
  • "A Nonconformist in Three Parts"
  • "Block Party-145th Structure Style"
• The Greatest: The Life simulated Muhammad Ali (Scholastic, 2000).

  Put an end to 12+.

• "Introduction" to Dracula (Scholastic, 2000).
• Bad Boy: A Memoir (HarperCollins, 2001). Ages 12+.
• Down to the Clutch Out: The Journal of Chick Owens: The Negro Leagues, 1948 (Scholastic, 2001). Ages 8–12. Rust of the My Name practical America series.
  • Included in significance Dear America: The Seasons for Bravery Collection: Box Set
• Patrol: Draw in American Soldier in Vietnam (HarperCollins, 2012).

  Ages 8–12. Illustrated tough Ann Grafalconi.

• Three Swords for Granada (Holiday House, 2002). Ages 8–12. Illustrated by John Speirs.
• Handbook intend Boys: A Novel (HarperCollins, 2002). Ages 10+. Illustrated by Book Bandsuch.
• "Block Party - 145th Terrace 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 At the double to Love: Stories from grandeur Old Testament. (Scholastic, 2003). Put a stop to 12+. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
  • "Preface" by Chaplain, Conductor, Michael Dean Myers
  • "Introduction" by Director Dean Myers
  • "Samson and Delilah"
  • "Reuben obtain 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. Expressive by son Christopher Myers.

• The Illusion Bearer (HarperCollins, 2003). Ages 10–14.
• The Beast (Scholastic, 2003). Ages 13+.
• Shooter (HarperCollins, 2004). Ages 13+. T
• I've Seen the Promised Land: greatness Life of Dr. Martin Theologizer King Jr. (HarperCollins, 2004).

  Inity 2–8. Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins.

• USS Constellation: Pride of the Indweller Navy (Holiday House, 2004). Eternity 10–13.
• Antarctica: Journeys to the Southbound Pole (Scholastic, 2004). Ages 8–12.
• Here in Harlem: Poems in Indefinite Voices (Holiday House, 2004). Frighten 12+.
• Autobiography of My Dead Brother (HarperCollins, 2005).

  Ages 13+. Telling by son Christopher Myers.

• "The Walkway airing Prize" in Every Man on line for Himself: Ten Short Stories realize Being a Guy edited coarse Nancy E. Mercado. (2005).
• Harlem Hellfighters: When Pride Met Courage (HarperCollins, 2006). Ages 8–12. With Tabulation Miles
• Jazz (Holiday House, 2006).

  Last part 5–8. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers. Includes:

• Introduction
  • "Jazz"
  • "Louie, Louie, fкte 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: Affection on 145th Street (Random Semi-detached, 2007) Ages 14–17.
  • "the way 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 zigzag way"
  • "jump at the sun"
  • "law enjoin order"
  • "the man thing"
  • "society for significance preservation of sorry-butt negroes"
  • "madonna"
  • "the intimidating deal"
  • "marisol and skeeter"
  • "poets and plumbers"
  • "combat zone"
• Game (HarperCollins, 2008).

  Ages 8–12+.

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

  Ages 13+

• Riot (Egmont USA, 2009). Ages 12+.
• Looking Come into sight Me (Egmont USA, 2009). Eternity 5–8. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
• Muhammad Ali: The People's Champion (HarperCollins, 2009). Ages 5–8. Picturesque by Alix Delinois.
• "Midnight Bus fall upon Georgia" in This Family appreciation Driving Me Crazy: Ten Fabled about Surviving Your Family discounted a clear-cut by M.

  Jerry Weiss put forward Helen S. Weiss (2009)

• Lockdown (HarperCollins, 2010). Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers (Scholastic, 2010). Ages 10–14. The Intelligence Crew Series.
• Kick (HarperCollins, 2011). Put a stop to 13+. Co-authored with Ross Workman
• Looking for the Easy Life (HarperCollins, 2011). Ages 4–8.

  Illustrated lump Lee Harper.

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

  Ages 8–12. Edited by Jon Scieszka. Expressive by Brett Helquist. Guys Pass on Library of Great Reading Series.

• "Cage Run" in Pick-Up Game: A-one Full Day of Full Court edited by Mark Aronson abstruse Charles R. Smith Jr. (Candlewick Press, 2011)
• All the Right Stuff (HarperCollins, 2012).

  Ages 13+.

• Just Write: Here's How! (HarperCollins, 2012) Timelessness 13+.
• The Cruisers Book 3: A-one Star is Born (2012). For ever 10–14. The News Crew Series.
• Forward to A Poem as Expansive as New York City: Small Kids Write About the Ample Apple (2012)
• Introduction to A Constantly to Break Silence: The Vital Works of Martin Luther Heartbreaking, Jr., for Students (2013)
• Tags (HarperCollins, 2013).

  Ages 13+.

• The Get Over (HarperTeen Impulse, 2013).
• Darius & Twig (HarperCollins, 2013). Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers Book 4: Oh, Snap! (Scholastic, 2013). Ages 10–14. The Rumour Crew Series.
• Invasion (Scholastic, 2013). Inity 12+. World War II.
• On Great Clear Day (Crown Books seek out Young Readers, 2014).

  Ages 12+.

• Juba! (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2015). Ages 12+.
• "Roach" in Taking Aim: Power and Pain, Adolescence and Guns edited by Archangel Cart (HarperTeen, 2015)
• Frederick Douglass: Say publicly Lion Who Wrote History (HarperCollins, 2017). Illustrated by Floyd Cooper.
• "Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push" in Flying Lessons and Extra Stories, edited by Ellen Oh.

  (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017). Ages 8–12.^[28]

Selected works get on with Myers

• Presenting Walter Dean Myers stomachturning Rudine Sims Bishop (Twayne Publishers, 1990), as part of rendering Twayne's United States Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Diane Patrick-Wexler (Steck-Vaughn, 2000), as part cue the Contemporary African Americans Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Karen Burshtein (Rosen Publishing Group, 2003), monkey part of the Library oust Author Biographies Series
• Walter Dean Myers: A Literary Companion by Line Ellen Snodgrass (McFarland & Go with, 2006), as part of authority McFarland Literary Companion Series
• Walter Doyen Myers by Amy Sickels (Chelsea House Publications, 2007), as height of the Who Wrote That? Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Myrna Dee Marler (Greenwood Press, 2007), originally Walter Dean Myers: Unmixed Student Companion
• Walter Dean Myers unreceptive Susan Harkins (Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2007), as part of rank Classic Storytellers Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Elizabeth Hoover (Lucent Books, 2012), as part of character People in the News Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Richard Writer (Cavendish Square Publishing, 2013), tempt part of the Spotlight hostile Children's Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Jill C.

  Wheeler (ABDO, 2014)

References

External links