Authors write best about that which they are most familiar and Walter Dean Myers was no exception. He had a difficult childhood “in a tough neighborhood in New York City.” (4) “Walter Dean Myers was not afraid to write about subjects that make people uneasy. His more than 100 books for children and young adults address topics including gangs, drugs, and crime. They feature strong young people who thrive in poor urban neighborhoods.” (4)

He grew up in foster care in New York City. He loved to read. He was in fights at school, often angry because of his speech impediment. During high school, his foster mother, Florence, was “drinking too much alcohol” (10) and an uncle was murdered. As a result, his grades went down and he began skipping school. One of his teachers encouraged him to write every day.Walter joined the drug and gang scene after dropping out of high school, before joining the army. After three years in the army, Walter got out. He had various jobs including working for the post office. Eventually, he took a writing class, entered a book competition and won. He attended City University for awhile and a writer’s workshop at Columbia University. From there, he became an acquisitions editor, though he continued writing on his own. In 1972, he published a picture book-The Dragon Takes a Wife, and in 1973 he published a young adult book – Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff. He left his job as an acquisitions editor, in 1977, to become a full-time writer.”Myers had loved to read as a child. Yet he rarely found books about people who were like him or his friends and family. Now he had time to change that.” (18) Myers’ life had come full circle and now he was also teaching classes and workshops on writing. “In January 2012, the US Librarian of Congress named Myers the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. As ambassador, Myers served a two-year term to raise awareness about the importance of reading for youth. His chosen theme in that role was ‘Reading Is Not Optional.’ ” (20)

Walter Dean Myers has won various medals including: Newbery Honor, Coretta Scott King, and the Michael L. Printz Award.

Myers past away on July 1, 2014.