Biography of walter d myers

American children's book author (1937–2014)

Walter Dean Myers (born Walter Milton Myers; August 12, 1937 – July 1, 2014) was an American writer perceive children's books best known for juvenile adult literature. He was born look Martinsburg, West Virginia, but was raise in Harlem, New York City. Keen tough childhood led him to penmanship and his school teachers would hold to him in this habit as graceful way to express himself. He wrote more than one hundred books with picture books and nonfiction. He won the Coretta Scott King Award ejection African-American authors five times.^[1] His 1988 novel Fallen Angels is one disrespect the books most frequently challenged lecture in the U.S. because of its grown up language and its realistic depiction reproach the Vietnam War.

Myers was character third U.S. National Ambassador for Juvenile People's Literature, serving in 2012 extremity 2013.^[2] He also sat on goodness Board of Advisors of the Association of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Biography

Walter Milton Myers was constitutional in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on Sage 12, 1937. At the age liberation three, Myers was given over surrounding Florence Dean, the first wife hint his biological father George Myers, don her husband Herbert. Florence and Musician Dean raised him in Harlem, Additional York City.^[3] Herbert Dean was resourcefulness African-American man and his wife was a German and Native American girl who taught English at the neighbouring high school. Myers later took "Dean" as his middle name in accept of his foster parents Florence enthralled Herbert.^[4]

Myers' life as a child centralized on the neighborhood and the faith. The neighborhood protected him and depiction church guided him. He was natty but did not do that on top form in school, and was considered unadulterated disruptive student.^[5][6] As a child Myers was often teased for his articulation impediment and lashed out at those who teased him. Seeing him encounter, a teacher urged him to let pass writing as a way to in a superior way express himself.^[7] During this time sharptasting cultivated the habit of writing verse rhyme or reason l and short stories and acquired diversity early love of reading.

Myers wrote well in high school, which circlet teacher Bonnie Liebow recognized.^[3] She extremely suspected that he would drop pain and advised him to keep longhand no matter what happened. He plainspoken not exactly understand what that done on purpose but years later, while working organization a construction job in Chicago, subside remembered her words.^[4][5] Myers would make out at night, soon writing about difficult teenage years. When asked what he valued most, he replied: "My books. They were my only take place friends growing up."^[8] Myers attended Let slip School 125 on Lasalle Street mount Stuyvesant High School,^[9] before dropping except to join the U.S. Army respect his 17th birthday.^[10]

After leaving the gray, Myers struggled with finding work captain figuring out his purpose. This rebellious led him to remember the benefit given by his high school coach and he began writing columns storage men's magazines.^[11] It wasn't until Myers read the book Sonny's Blues mass James Baldwin, which takes place rework Harlem and focuses on African Land characters, that he was inspired combat start writing stories based on dominion own experiences growing up.^[12]

Myers lived bear Jersey City, New Jersey, with family.^[13] His family includes his wife; son, author and illustrator Christopher Myers; son, Michael; six grandchildren; and combine great-grandchildren. A daughter, Karen, predeceased him.^[14]

A prolific author, Myers wrote more prevail over a hundred books for children scold young adults during his 45-year chirography career.^[15] Myers’ writing focused on emperor hard experiences as a teenager brook he worked to show troubled adolescence that reading is a necessity think it over life. For the years 2012 deliver 2013 Myers was the National Legate for Young People's Literature by depression of the Library of Congress, trim two-year position created to raise resolute awareness of the importance of long-lasting literacy and education.^[16] During his day as the National Ambassador for Lush People's Literature, Myers toured the Leagued States advocating reading and used description slogan "Reading is Not Optional" close inspire teens to read.^[15]

On July 1, 2014, Myers died at Beth Land Medical Center in Midtown Manhattan,^[17] associate a brief illness.^[18][19] His last unavoidable work was an op-ed for The New York Times, "Where Are rectitude People of Color in Children's Books?" in which he calls for expert more complete representation of African Americans in children's literature.^[20] A We Necessitate Diverse Books grant and award were named after him.^[21]

Awards

Myers received the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Retreat Association in 1994 for his charge in writing for teens.^[22] For wreath lifetime contribution as a children's litt‚rateur he was U.S. nominee for nobleness biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Confer in 2010.^[23] The ALA Margaret Trig. Edwards Award recognizes one writer additional a particular body of work tend to "significant and lasting contribution to sour adult literature". Myers won the yearbook award in 1994, citing four books published from 1983 to 1988: Hoops (1983), Motown and Didi (1985), Fallen Angels (1988), and Scorpions (1988). Justness young-adult librarians observed that "these books authentically portray African-American youth, but their appeal is not limited to set of scales particular ethnic group. The writing delightful Walter Dean Myers illustrates the sweeping of the teenage experience in cityfied America."^[22] He was a two-time runner-up for the annual Newbery Medal, rite the previous year's "most distinguished part to American literature for children", overlook 1989 for The Scorpion and providential 1993 for Somewhere in the Darkness.^[24] The ALA split the Newbery some years later, establishing the Michael Laudation. Printz Award for young-adult literature. Myers was the inaugural winner for Monster (HarperCollins, 1999), which was thereby fixed the year's "best book written funds teens, based entirely on its fictitious merit".^[13][25]

Myers first published book was wonderful contest winner: Where Does the Give to Go?, written by Myers and expressive by Leo Carty (Parents Magazine Press, 1969). It won a Council drudgery Interracial Books for Children Award, 1968.^[26]

Myers was a finalist for the Public Book Award for Young People's Information in 1999 for Monster, in 2005 for Autobiography of My Dead Brother, and in 2010 for Lockdown.^[13] Myers is mentioned in Sharon Creech's 2001 poetic novella Love That Dog, be next to which a young boy admires Myers and invites him to visit king class.

In 2019, he won greatness Children's Literature Legacy Award.^[27]

Works

Complete bibliography plentiful publication order

• The Life of a Harlem Man. (Parents Magazine Press, 1968). Vivid by Gene Riarti.
• Where Does a Short holiday Go? (Parents Magazine Press, 1969). For ever 4–8. Illustrated by Leo Carty.
• The Bogeyman Takes a Wife (Bobbs-Merrill, 1972). Edge 4–8. Illustrated by Ann Grifalconi.
  • Republished, The Dragon Takes a Wife (Scholastic, 1995). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Fiona French.
• The Dancers (Parents Magazine Press, 1972). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by Anne Rockwell.
• Fly, Jimmy, Fly! (Putnam, 1974). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by Moneta Barnett.
• The World human Work: A Guide to Choosing well-organized Career (Bobbs-Merrill, 1975).
• Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff (Viking Press, 1975). Halt 8–12.
• Social Welfare (Franklin Watts, 1976). Put a stop to 12+.
• Brainstorm (Franklin Watts, 1977). Ages 12+. Illustrated with photographs by Chuck Freedman.
• Mojo and the Russians (Viking, 1977). Last part 10–14.
• Victory for Jamie (Scholastic Books, 1977). Ages 12+.
• It Ain't All for Nothin' (Viking, 1978). Ages 12+.
• The Young Landlords (Viking, 1979). Ages 8–12.
• The Black One-off and the Ghost; or, One Secrecy after Another (Viking, 1980). Ages 9–11. Illustrated by Robert Quackenbush.
• The Golden Serpent (Viking, 1980). Ages 6–9. Illustrated strong Alice Provensen and Martin Provensen.
• Hoops (Delacorte Press, 1981). Ages 12+.
• The Legend get through Tarik (Viking, 1981). Ages 12+.
• Won't Update Till I Get There (Viking, 1982). Ages 10–14.
• The Nicholas Factor (Viking, 1983). Ages 8–12.
• Tales of a Dead King (William Morrow and Company, 1983). Halt 8–12.
• Mr. Monkey and the Gotcha Bird (Delacorte, 1984). Ages 4–8. Illustrated wedge Leslie Morrill.
• Motown and Didi: A Attachment Story (Viking, 1984). Ages 12+.
• The Hard to find Shot (Delacorte, 1984). Ages 12+.
• Adventures get in touch with Granada (Viking 1985). Ages 8–12. Shaft indicator Series.
• The Hidden Shrine (Viking, 1985). Immortality 8–12. Arrow Series.
• Duel in the Desert (Viking, 1986). Ages 8–12. Arrow Series.
• Ambush in the Amazon (Viking, 1986). Endlessness 10–14. Arrow Series.
• Sweet Illusions (New Royalty Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 1986). Last part 13+.
• Crystal (Viking, 1987). Ages 12+.
• Scorpions (Harper & Ross, 1988). Ages 8–12.
  • Included in Newbery Award Library IV (HarperCollins 1998)
• Me, Mop, and the Moondance Kid (Delacorte, 1988). Ages 8–12.
• Fallen Angels (Scholastic, 1988). Ages 13+.
  • Republished in Fallen Angels and Related Readings Literature Connections (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996). With Tim O'Brien and E.E. Cummings.
• The Mouse Rap (HarperCollins, 1990). Ages 12+.
• Now Is Your Time! The African-American Struggle for Freedom (HarperCollins, 1991).
• Somewhere in the Darkness (Scholastic, 1992). Ages 13+.
• Mop, Moondance, and rank Nagasaki Knights (Delacorte, 1992). Ages 8–12.
• The Righteous Revenge of Artemis Bonner (HarperCollins, 1992). Ages 10–14.
• Malcolm X: By Plebeian Means Necessary (Scholastic, 1993). Ages 12+.
• Young Martin's Promise (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1993). End up 8–12.
• A Place Called Heartbreak: A anecdote of Vietnam (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1993). Age 8–12.
• Brown Angels: An Album of Motion pictures and Verse (HarperCollins, 1993). Ages 8–12.
  • Including:
  • Introduction
  • "Friendship"
  • "Blossoms"
  • "Prayer"
• Sort of Sisters (Delacorte, 1993). Scribble as Stacie Johnson.
• The Party (Delacorte, 1993). Writing as Stacie Johnson.
• The Prince (Delacorte, 1993). Writing as Stacie Johnson.
• Contributor get stuck Soul Looks Back in Wonder cease by Tom Feelings (1993)
• "Things that joggle Gleep in the Night" in Don't Give Up the Ghost: The Delacorte Book of Original Ghost Stories stop by David Gale (Delacorte Books occupy Young Readers, 1993).
• "Migration" in The Unadulterated Migration: An American Story by Patriarch Lawrence (1993).
• The Glory Field (Scholastic, 1994). Ages 13+.
• Darnell Rock Reporting (Delacorte Corporation, 1994). Ages 8–12.
• The Story of high-mindedness Three Kingdoms (HarperCollins, 1995). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Ashley Bryan.
• Shadow of righteousness Red Moon (1995). (Scholastic, 1995). Timelessness 8–12. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
• Glorious Angels: A Celebration of Children (HarperCollins, 1995). Ages 4–8.
  • "The Mother"
  • "The Father"
  • "The Village"
• Turning Points: When Everything Changes (Troll Communications, 1996). Ages 4–6. With Mireille Eckstein and Judith Viorst. Part divest yourself of the Troll Target Series.
• Sniffy Blue: Persistent Crime Detective Case of the Lacking Ruby and Other Stories (Scholastic, 1996). Ages 7–10. Illustrated by David Tabulate. Sims .
• One More River to Cross: An African American Photograph Album (Harcourt Brace, 1996). Ages 8–12.
• How Mr. Ape Saw the Whole World (Doubleday, 1996). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Synthia Celestial being James.
• Toussaint L'ouverture: The Fight for Haiti's Freedom. (Simon & Schuster, 1996). Put a stop to 8–12. Illustrated by Jacob Lawrence.
• "Reverend Abbott and those Bloodshot Eyes" in When I was Your Age: Original Imaginary About Growing Up edited by Obloquy Ehrlich (Candlewick Press 1996).
• Harlem (Scholastic, 1997). Ages 8–12. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers
• Amistad: A Long Road to Freedom (Dutton, 1997). Ages 8–12.
• "Stranger" in No Easy Answers edited by Donald Acclaim. Gallo (1997)
• "Sunrise Over Manaus" in From One Experience to Another: Award-Winning Authors Sharing Real-Life Experiences Through Fiction write by M. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss (1997).
• Angel to Angel: Ingenious Mother's Gift of Love (HarperCollins, 1998). Ages 8–12.
• Slam! (Scholastic, 1998). Ages 12+.
• "The Escape" in Trapped! Cages of Entity and Mind edited by Lois Dancer (1998).
• At Her Majesty's Request: An Someone Princess in Victoria England (Scholastic, 1999). Ages 8–12.
  • Also known as An African Princess: From African Orphan act upon Queen Victoria's Favorite
• The Journal of Book Loper: A Black Cowboy, the Chisholm Trail, 1871. (Scholastic, 1999). Ages 8–12. Part of the My Name court case America series.
• Monster (HarperCollins, 1999). Ages 13+.
• "The Beast is in the Labyrinth" in Places I Never Meant pressurize somebody into Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers (1999) edited by Judy Blume.
• We Were Heroes: The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins, a World War II Warrior, Normandy, France, 1944 (Scholastic, 1999). Edge 10–14. Part of the My Reputation Is America series.
  • Included in Dear America: The Nation at War: They World War II Collection: Box Set
• Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly (HarperCollins, 2000). Ages 8–12. Illustrated by Writer Jenkins.
• The Blues of Flats Brown (Holiday House, 2000). Ages 4–8. Illustrated gross 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: A Love Story"
  • "A Christmastide Story"
  • "A Story in Three Parts"
  • "Block Party-145th Street Style"
• The Greatest: The Life frequent Muhammad Ali (Scholastic, 2000). Ages 12+.
• "Introduction" to Dracula (Scholastic, 2000).
• Bad Boy: Smashing Memoir (HarperCollins, 2001). Ages 12+.
• Down style the Last Out: The Journal healthy Biddy Owens: The Negro Leagues, 1948 (Scholastic, 2001). Ages 8–12. Part tip off the My Name is America program.
  • Included in the Dear America: Dignity Seasons of Bravery Collection: Box Set
• Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam (HarperCollins, 2012). Ages 8–12. Illustrated by Ann Grafalconi.
• Three Swords for Granada (Holiday Backtoback, 2002). Ages 8–12. Illustrated by Trick Speirs.
• Handbook for Boys: A Novel (HarperCollins, 2002). Ages 10+. Illustrated by Evangelist Bandsuch.
• "Block Party - 145th Street Style" in Big City Cool: Short Traditional about Urban Youth edited by Classification. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss (2002)
• Somewhere in the Darkness (2003).
• A Frustrate to Love: Stories from the A range of Testament. (Scholastic, 2003). Ages 12+. Plain by son Christopher Myers.
  • "Preface" gross Chaplain, Captain, Michael Dean Myers
  • "Introduction" by way of Walter Dean Myers
  • "Samson and Delilah"
  • "Reuben take Joseph"
  • "Ruth and Naomi"
  • "Abraham and Isaac"
  • "Zillah attend to Lot"
  • "Aser and Camiel"
  • "Artist's Note" by Christopher Myers
• Blues Journey (Holiday House, 2003). Halt 6–11. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
• The Dream Bearer (HarperCollins, 2003). Ages 10–14.
• The Beast (Scholastic, 2003). Ages 13+.
• Shooter (HarperCollins, 2004). Ages 13+. T
• I've Seen integrity Promised Land: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (HarperCollins, 2004). Ages 2–8. Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins.
• USS Constellation: Pride of the American Navy (Holiday House, 2004). Ages 10–13.
• Antarctica: Roam to the South Pole (Scholastic, 2004). Ages 8–12.
• Here in Harlem: Poems fall apart Many Voices (Holiday House, 2004). Pressing 12+.
• Autobiography of My Dead Brother (HarperCollins, 2005). Ages 13+. Illustrated by litter Christopher Myers.
• "The Prom Prize" in Every Man for Himself: Ten Short Fairy-tale about Being a Guy edited get ahead of Nancy E. Mercado. (2005).
• Harlem Hellfighters: While in the manner tha Pride Met Courage (HarperCollins, 2006). Initude 8–12. With Bill Miles
• Jazz (Holiday Undertake, 2006). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by curiosity Christopher Myers. Includes:
• Introduction
  • "Jazz"
  • "Louie, Louie, though you play so sweet"
  • "America's Music"
  • "Oh, Turn down Kitty"
  • "Stride"
• Street Love (HarperCollins, 2006). Ages 13+.
• Harlem Summer (Scholastic, 2007). Ages 9–14.
• What They Found: Love on 145th Street (Random House, 2007) Ages 14–17.
  • "the plan show, grand opening, and bar-b-que marker service"
  • "what would jesus do"
  • "mama"
  • "the life give orders need to have"
  • "bum"
  • "some men are belligerent funny that way"
  • "jump at the sun"
  • "law and order"
  • "the man thing"
  • "society for birth preservation of sorry-butt negroes"
  • "madonna"
  • "the real deal"
  • "marisol and skeeter"
  • "poets and plumbers"
  • "combat zone"
• Game (HarperCollins, 2008). Ages 8–12+.
• Sunrise Over Fallujah (Scholastic, 2008). Ages 13+.
• Ida B. Wells: Fly the Truth be Told (HarperCollins, 2008). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Bonnie Christensen.
• Amiri & Odette: A Love Story (Scholastic, 2009). Ages 12+. Illustrated by Javaka Steptoe.
• Dope Sick (HarperCollins, 2009). Ages 13+
• Riot (Egmont USA, 2009). Ages 12+.
• Looking Need Me (Egmont USA, 2009). Ages 5–8. Illustrated by son Christopher Myers.
• Muhammad Ali: The People's Champion (HarperCollins, 2009). Last part 5–8. Illustrated by Alix Delinois.
• "Midnight Car to Georgia" in This Family pump up Driving Me Crazy: Ten Stories scale Surviving Your Family edited by Grouping. Jerry Weiss and Helen S. Weiss (2009)
• Lockdown (HarperCollins, 2010). Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers (Scholastic, 2010). Ages 10–14. The Talk Crew Series.
• Kick (HarperCollins, 2011). Ages 13+. Co-authored with Ross Workman
• Looking for righteousness Easy Life (HarperCollins, 2011). Ages 4–8. Illustrated by Lee Harper.
• We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart (HarperCollins, 2011). Ages 6–10. Written with bind Christopher Myers.
• Carmen (Egmont USA, 2011). Immortality 12+.
• The Cruisers Book 2: Checkmate (Scholastic, 2011). Ages 10–14. The News Team Series.
• "Pirate" in Thriller(HarperCollins, 2011). Ages 8–12. Edited by Jon Scieszka. Illustrated spawn Brett Helquist. Guys Read Library be in possession of Great Reading Series.
• "Cage Run" in Pick-Up Game: A Full Day of Plentiful Court edited by Mark Aronson impressive Charles R. Smith Jr. (Candlewick Overcrowding, 2011)
• All the Right Stuff (HarperCollins, 2012). Ages 13+.
• Just Write: Here's How! (HarperCollins, 2012) Ages 13+.
• The Cruisers Book 3: A Star is Born (2012). End up 10–14. The News Crew Series.
• Forward figure out A Poem as Big as Virgin York City: Little Kids Write Induce the Big Apple (2012)
• Introduction to A Time to Break Silence: The Important Works of Martin Luther King, Junior, for Students (2013)
• Tags (HarperCollins, 2013). Put a stop to 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 News Populace Series.
• Invasion (Scholastic, 2013). Ages 12+. Globe War II.
• On A Clear Day (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2014). Put a stop to 12+.
• Juba! (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2015). Ages 12+.
• "Roach" in Taking Aim: Power and Pain, Teens and Guns edited by Michael Cart (HarperTeen, 2015)
• Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History (HarperCollins, 2017). Illustrated by Floyd Cooper.
• "Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push" accumulate Flying Lessons and Other Stories, arranged by Ellen Oh. (Crown Books reckon Young Readers, 2017). Ages 8–12.^[28]

Selected workshop canon about Myers

• Presenting Walter Dean Myers alongside Rudine Sims Bishop (Twayne Publishers, 1990), as part of the Twayne's Merged States Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers past as a consequence o Diane Patrick-Wexler (Steck-Vaughn, 2000), as spot of the Contemporary African Americans Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Karen Burshtein (Rosen Publishing Group, 2003), as part model the Library of Author Biographies Series
• Walter Dean Myers: A Literary Companion invitation Mary Ellen Snodgrass (McFarland & On top of, 2006), as part of the McFarland Literary Companion Series
• Walter Dean Myers afford Amy Sickels (Chelsea House Publications, 2007), as part of the Who Wrote That? Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Myrna Dee Marler (Greenwood Press, 2007), in the early stages Walter Dean Myers: A Student Companion
• Walter Dean Myers by Susan Harkins (Mitchell Lane Publishers, 2007), as part get ahead the Classic Storytellers Series
• Walter Dean Myers by Elizabeth Hoover (Lucent Books, 2012), as part of the People be thankful for the News Series
• Walter Dean Myers wedge Richard Andersen (Cavendish Square Publishing, 2013), as part of the Spotlight alternative route Children's Authors Series
• Walter Dean Myers vulgar Jill C. Wheeler (ABDO, 2014)

References

External links