World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Walter Dean Myers

ウォルター・ディーン・マイヤーズ

Wōrutā Dīn Maiazāsu

Aliases: Walter Milton Myers
Pen Names: Stacie Johnson（Used for some works）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1937-08-12 （Martinsburg, West Virginia）
Died
2014-07-01 （New York City） age 76
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
Harlem, New York City → Jersey City, New Jersey

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's book author
Active Years
1969-2014
Affiliations
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Memberships
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Influenced By
James Baldwin
Influenced
Christopher Myers
Nominations
Newbery Honor (Scorpions, 1989; Somewhere in the Darkness, 1993), National Book Award finalist (Monster, 1999; etc.)

Education

Empire State College
Literature
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Country: United States
Graduated after leaving the army; dropped out of high school

Awards

Margaret A. Edwards Award
1994
Work: Hoops, Motown and Didi, Fallen Angels, Scorpions
Category: Young adult literature
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Winner
Michael L. Printz Award
2000
Work: Monster
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Winner
Children's Literature Legacy Award
2019
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Winner
Coretta Scott King Award
Result: 5 times

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Fallen Angels

1988 Young adult novel

Realistic depiction of the Vietnam War from an African American teen's perspective

Vietnam WarUrban youthAfrican American experience

Monster

1999 Young adult novel

Story of a 16-year-old boy on trial for murder, written in screenplay format

Justice systemIdentityUrban crime
Adaptations
  • [Film] Monster / アンソニー・ロック (2018)

Bibliography

  • The Life of a Harlem Man
  • Where Does the Day Go?
  • Fallen Angels
  • Monster

Adaptations

  • Legend of the Lost Tomb (1997 film)
  • Monster (2018 film)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
RealismVernacular languageVaried formats (screenplay, journal)
Recurring Motifs
African American youthUrban lifeSocial issues

Health

  • Speech impediment
    幼少期
    Led to bullying but encouraged writing as outlet

Legacy

Pioneering YA author focusing on African American urban youth experiences. Won numerous awards including Margaret Edwards and Printz. Served as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

In Popular Culture

  • Mentioned in Sharon Creech's Love That Dog

Quotes

  • Reading is Not Optional
    Source: Slogan as National Ambassador (2012)

Trivia

  • Raised by foster parents in Harlem
  • Adopted at age 3
  • Son Christopher Myers is also author/illustrator
  • Dropped out of high school to join US Army