Member-only story

Walter Dean Myers: A Lifetime of Writing and Inspiring Young People

Will Ward

·3.8k Followers· Follow

Published in Shooter Walter Dean Myers

5 min read

282 View Claps

28 Respond

Save

Listen

Walter Dean Myers, An American Author Of Over 100 Books For Children And Young Adults. Shooter Walter Dean Myers

Early Life and Education

Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He was the son of a minister and a homemaker. Myers grew up in a poor neighborhood in Harlem, New York City. He was a bright child, but he struggled in school. He was often bored by the curriculum and found it difficult to relate to the white teachers who did not understand his experiences as a black child.

Despite his struggles in school, Myers loved to read. He would often spend hours at the local library, reading everything he could get his hands on. He was particularly drawn to books about adventure and heroism. Myers's love of reading inspired him to become a writer.

Shooter

by Walter Dean Myers

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	932 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	137 pages

After graduating from high school, Myers attended New York University. He studied English and creative writing. Myers graduated from NYU in 1959. After college, Myers worked as a social worker and a teacher. He also wrote short stories and articles for magazines.

Writing Career

Myers's first novel, Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff, was published in 1975. The novel told the story of two young black boys who are trying to survive in the inner city. Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff was a critical and commercial success. It won the Newbery Medal, the most prestigious award for children's literature.

Myers went on to write over 100 books for children and young adults. His work often explored the challenges faced by inner-city youth. He wrote about poverty, violence, and racism. But Myers also wrote about hope and resilience. He believed that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.

Myers's books have been translated into over 20 languages. They have been read by millions of children and young adults around the world. Myers's work has had a profound impact on the lives of many young people. He has helped them to understand their own experiences and to see the world in a new way.

Awards and Honors

Myers received numerous awards and honors for his work. He won the Newbery Medal in 1975 for Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, and Stuff. He also won the Coretta Scott King Award five times. The Coretta Scott King Award is given to African-American authors and illustrators who create outstanding works for children and young adults.

In 2000, Myers was named a National Book Foundation Medalist for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Legacy

Walter Dean Myers died on July 1, 2014, at the age of 76. He left behind a legacy of over 100 books that continue to inspire and teach young people. Myers was a master storyteller who had a unique ability to connect with young readers. He wrote about the challenges that young people face, but he also wrote about hope and resilience. Myers's books have made a difference in the lives of countless young people. He will be remembered as one of the most important and influential authors of our time.