Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers

Born August 12, 1937 in West Virginia Raised in Harlem, New York City Currently lives in Jersey City, New Jersey

Early Life

Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia in 1937

Mother died when he was 2 yrs. old

Moved to Harlem after being “adopted” by Florence and Herbert Dean at age three

Family

At age 4 mother taught him to read Father told “scary” stories Grandfather told “God gonna get ya”

kind of stories

Family

Considered the Deans his “real” parents Writes about surrogate parenting

Starting School

With the ability to read Head full of stories Severe speech impediment Became a behavior problem 5th grade teacher told him to write

and gave him decent books to read

Harlem

Grew up in the 40s and 50s Sunday morning Bible school Afternoons at the park, activities at church Famous Afro-Americans still lived there Remembers his years in Harlem before

adolescence as good years

Adolescence

Placed in accelerated junior high school program

Stuyvesant High School Teacher Bonnie Liebow Spent more time out of school Wrote stories and poems Acquired first typewriter

Young Adulthood

Thought family’s finances ruled out college

Fell into gang culture Dropped out of high school twice At 17 joined the army

Life After the Army

“Starving artist” period back in Harlem Job in post office Married and divorced Attended City College and a writer’s

workshop at Columbia University Worked at various jobs

Beginning of a Career

1968 Where Does the Day Go? wins first prize in Council on Interracial books for Children Contest

1969 published by Parents’ Magazine 1970 becomes senior editor for Bobbs-Merrill In 1972 with The Dancers pays tribute to his

foster parents and changes name 1977 became full-time writer

Variety of Genre Poetry Short Stories Children’s Books Young Adult Fiction Historical Fiction Non-Fiction

Poetry

Began writing poems in Ms. Conway’s 5th grade class

Hasn’t stopped writing since

Children’s Books

Picture books Juvenile fiction

Young Adult Fiction

Realistic urban novels Mystery and adventure Critically acclaimed works

On Being a Young Adult Author

“The young adult and middle grade periods of my life were so vivid and, in looking back, so influential in how I would live the rest of my life, that I am drawn to [them] over and over again.”

“My ideas come largely from my own background.”

“I lived in Harlem, and I write about Harlem.”

Themes

Friendships and peer relations Family Individual and social responsibility Love Growing up Finding oneself

Historical Fiction

Writes from his own background Enjoys history

Non-Fiction Magazine pieces Children’s books Biographies Historical

Myers and Myers

Son Christopher illustrated several of his father’s books

Books I Have Read Fallen Angels Scorpions Harlem Blues Journey Handbook for Boys

Malcolm X The Glory Field 145th Street Stories Monster

Major Awards ALA Best Books for Young Adults ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award

for lifetime achievement ALA Notable Books ALAN Award

for outstanding contributions to the field of young adult literature

Caldecott Honor Book Coretta Scott King Award Michael L. Prinz Award National Book Award Finalist Newberry Honor Book Parents’ Choice Award

Myers Today

Helped establish The Walter Dean Myers Publishing Institute part of the Langston Hughes Children’s

Literature Festival NBA’s "Read to Achieve" program Lives with his wife Connie in Jersey City, NJ