Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers was a prolific American children's author known for his urban fiction inspired by his childhood and adolescence in Harlem.

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Profession :

Young Adult Writer

Birthday :

August 12, 1937

Death Date:

July 01, 2014

Age :

76

Walter Dean Myers (August 12, 1937 รขย€ย“ July 1, 2014) was a renowned American author and poet who focused on young adult literature. Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, he grew up in Harlem under the care of his foster parents. Myers was a trailblazer in promoting diversity in young adult literature, drawing inspiration from his childhood and teenage years in Harlem to create urban fiction.

Some of his most notable works include “Monster,” a novel about a teenage boy in prison, “Fallen Angels,” and “Scorpions.” Throughout his career, Myers published over 100 books that tackled themes such as urban life, poverty, and racism. His numerous accolades include two Newbery Honor Awards, five Coretta Scott King Author Book Awards, and three National Book Award Finalist citations.

Myers also served as the 2012-2013 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and received the ALA’s Margaret A. Edwards Award for his extensive body of work. His passing on July 1, 2014, left a lasting legacy on young readers and the world of young adult literature.