This Presentation was completed for Georgia Southern University's FRMS 7331. Walter Dean Myers was the subject of this presentation.

1. Walter Dean Myers
An Author Study
Michelle E. Colquitt
Young Adult Literature
Dr. Draper
July 12, 2015

2. Table of Contents
 Walter Dean Myers Biography
 Websites related to Walter Dean Myers
 Partial Bibliography
 Fallen Angels
 Dope Sick
 Monster
 Views Relative to the Author
 Teaching Strategies
 References

3. Walter Dean Myers
Biographical Information
 Born Walter Milton Myers on 12 Sep 1937 in Martinsburg, WV. Sent
to be adopted by his father’s fist wife and her husband, Florence
and Herbert Dean, of Harlem, New York.
 Early life was devoted to the neighborhood, church, and reading.
 Loved basketball and had a painful stuttering condition.
 Later became involved in delinquent activities.
 Dropped out of school at age 16.
 Enlisted in the military on his 17th birthday, serving from 1952 to
1954.
 Married twice and had 3 children (Michael Dean and Karen by
first marriage and son Christopher by second marriage
(illustrator).
 Wrote over 100 books and received many honors—6 Coretta Scott
King Awards, 2 Newberry Awards, the inaugural Michael Printz
Award
 Passed away on 1 July 2014 after a brief illness
Picture and biographical information obtained
from: walterdeanmyers.net.

4. Websites Related to Walter Dean Meyers
 http://walterdeanmyers.net/ This is the official website of Walter Dean
Myers. It contains a complete pdf bibliography of Mr. Myers’ books. This site
also contains information for teachers and parents (specifically regarding
grade levels of each work).
 https://goo.gl/SJt23A This is the official YouTube channel for Walter Dean
Myers. It contains 4 video interviews of Mr. Myers speaking about his life and
his works.
 http://goo.gl/ftauhU This is a StoryCorps interview with Mr. Myers and his
son, illustrator Christopher Myers. In this interview, WDM relates some
sadness behind his writing career.
 http://goo.gl/mN8HQM Interview with NPR about becoming the nation’s third
ambassador for Young People’s literature. Mr. Myers also reads an excerpt
from Monster during this interview.
 http://goo.gl/HffjAh This is an obituary of Mr. Myers written for the New York
Times.

5. Walter Dean Myers
Partial Bibliography
Images obtained from:
http://walterdeanmyers.net/bibliography/awards/

6. Fallen Angels
Summary
Richie Perry is a 17 year old High School graduate from Harlem, New
York. Richie did not believe he had much of a future in Harlem, so he
decided to join the military. Richie, an excellent basketball player,
becomes injured early in his military career, but is still sent to Vietnam
regardless of having a medical profile that should eliminate him from
combat.
Richie enters combat in Vietnam in the latter part of 1967. Richie, and
the rest of the Army, believes that combat will over by the end of 1967.
This was not the case. Fallen Angels outlines the intense horrors and
atrocities of the Viet Nam War. Richie is a very relatable character who
ultimately overcomes multiple tragedies without losing his humanity.
Fallen Angels has a remarkable cast of supporting characters. The
reader is genuinely rooting for the success of Richie and his comrades
by the end of this book.
Myers related the atrocities of war in a very truthful light, therefore,
this book might not be appropriate for all readers. The Teacher, Media
Specialist, and parents should work in concert to determine if the
student in question should read this text.
Image obtained from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallen_Angels_(Myers_novel)

7. Fallen Angels
Reviews
 “War-story fans will find enough
action here, though it isn't glorified;
thoughtful readers will be haunted
by this tribute to a ravaged
generation.” (Kirkus Reviews May 30,
1988) (https://goo.gl/uUI8wi)
 “Graphic and realistic, Richie's first-
person narrative provides the kind of
immediacy lacking in most war
stories. Dedicated to the older
brother he lost during the Vietnam
War, Myers's FALLEN ANGELS is both a
tribute and testament to the
thousands of young people who
fought and died in the jungles of
Vietnam.” (Tammy L. Currier, Jan 1,
1998 from http://goo.gl/vcexNR).
 Mrs. Colquitt’s Review of Fallen
Angels:
This novel is very realistic and treats the
experiences of those present during the
Vietnam War with an honest lens. This
novel is very haunting, it really stays
with the reader. This novel, first
published in 1988, is not for the faint of
heart. Some of language and action
scenes are very intense and graphic. This
was also written before the age of
political correctness, so there are
derogatory slang terms front and center
in the action. Teachers or Media
Specialists should preface their
instruction with a frank discussion about
the language and violence readers will
encounter. Myers writes concisely with a
great sense of dignity and elegance.

8. Dope Sick
Summary
Dope Sick is the story of Lil’ J, a very sympathetic
character who is struggling with the aftermath of
several horrible choices. Choices involving drugs,
crime, school, and even the birth of his young child
are discussed with a touch of magical realism.
As a Juvenile Probation Officer, I relate to my
probationers all the time that they are “living and
dying by the choices they make” to quote an old
George Jones song. Lil’ J was truly living and dying
by the choices he was making.
Ambiguity pervades this novel. The reader sincerely
hopes that Lil’ J will decide to start living and will
do so by making better choices.
Image from:
http://walterdeanmyers.net/biblio
graphy/

9. Dope Sick
Reviews
 “An ambiguous ending coupled with the
fantastical slant further diminish the
message. In his most recent urban young
adult title since Street Love (2007), Myers
delivers a solid tale, but misses the
nuances.” (Kirkus Reviews Jan 1, 2009
https://goo.gl/LyGize).
 “As expected, Myers uses street-style
lingo to cover Lil J's sorry history of drug
use, jail time, irresponsible fatherhood
and his own childhood grief. A didn't-see-
that-coming ending wraps up the story on
a note of well-earned hope and will leave
readers with plenty to think about. Ages
14–up.” (Publishers Weekly n.d.
http://goo.gl/bAi0AR)
 Mrs. Colquitt’s review:
Meyers has created a very believable young
drug addict in Jeremy Dance a/k/a Lil’ J.
Lil’ J has had a very traumatic life. Lil’ J
has witnessed his mother’s struggles with
alcohol and drugs, has been involved with
law enforcement in several jurisdictions,
has dropped out of school, and has fathered
a child. Myers establishes that Lil’ J’s
problems are in direct correlation to his
society.
Yes, the ending is ambiguous, but so is LIFE.
Magical realism abounds in this novel, and
the teacher would be remiss if this topic
was not seriously discussed. The ambiguity
of the ending and the magical realism
present could generate some lively
discussions.

10. Monster
Summary
Monster is the story of 16 year old Steve Harmon.
Steve is on trial for his role in the armed robbery
and murder of a convenience store owner. Steve,
a lover of film and member of his High School’s
film club, relates his story through a screenplay
and multiple diary entries.
Steve is called a “monster” by Ms. Petrocelli, the
lead prosecutor of his case. Steve works tirelessly
within his screenplay and diary to establish that
he is the opposite of a monster. Yet again,
ambiguities are present within this text. Myers
subtly encourages his readers to critically
evaluate and think about Steve’s case.
Image from:
http://walterdeanmyers.net/bibliogr
aphy/

11. Monster
Reviews
 “Readers will not question the 16-year-old's
relationship to the crime; that is established
early in the novel. However, opinions will vary as
to whether Steve deserves sympathy or rebuke.
Myers (Scorpions; Somewhere in the Darkness)
masterfully conveys the complexity of Steve's
character by presenting numerous angles of his
personality.” (Publishers Weekly n.d.
http://goo.gl/MVjKCF)
 “The format of this taut and moving drama
forcefully regulates the pacing; breathless,
edge-of-the-seat courtroom scenes written
entirely in dialogue alternate with thoughtful,
introspective journal entries that offer a sense
of Steve’s terror and confusion, and that deftly
demonstrate Myers’s point: the road from
innocence to trouble is comprised of small,
almost invisible steps, each involving an
experience in which a “positive moral decision”
was not made.” (Kirkus Reviews May 1, 1999
https://goo.gl/SQyhC8).
 Mrs. Colquitt’s Review:
Monster is a story that again emphasizes
the ambiguities of life without doing so in an
overly preachy manner. The situations Steve
found himself in are very realistic. Juveniles
who become involved with the Court system
have become involved for much less. As a
worker in the Court system, Myers attention
to details created a very realistic reading
experience.
The reader should enter Monster as well
as Myers’ other works not expecting to be
spoon-fed a happy ending that is unrealistic.
Myers wrote about “real life” and all its richly
layered complexities.

12. Views Relative to the Author
 Teenagers have to face very adult situations in Mr. Myers’ books (17 and going
to Vietnam War—Fallen Angels, older teenager and facing drug addiction—
Dope Sick, 16 and facing prison with the possibility of the Death Penalty—
Monster).
 Myers interviewed teenagers in Juvenile Detention Centers for realistic
information.
 Myers had run-ins with the Criminal Justice system when he was a teenager.
 Myers believed in the ambiguities of life and that stories should not be
wrapped up in a neat Happily Ever After package.
 Myers believed in critical thinking and introspection. Frequently his
characters are asked what they would change or do differently within their
lives.
 Myers struggled with the addiction of a parent, a parent giving him up for
adoption, and also with an illiterate parent. His mother’s substance abuse
issues possibly caused the mothers present in his work to deal with multiple
issues.

13. Teaching Strategies
 Possible unit on issues teenagers face in life. Teacher could invite anonymous
questions (no bullying allowed) like in Thirteen Reasons Why. Teacher could also
begin a “sharing circle” about any issues being faced by the group.
 Teacher could provide information about Harlem in contrast to the community in
which learning is taking place. This could be conducted via virtual tour and via
YouTube videos. The teacher could also compare and contrast the world of the
Harlem Renaissance to the Harlem of Walter Dean Myers.
 Students could complete an Open Mind Portrait for Steve Harmon of Monster. It
would be interesting to view the various interpretations of Steve’s ambiguous
story.
 Fallen Angels could lead to information being presented about PTSD. The teacher
should consider having a combat veteran speak to students after reading this
book. Also important would be students having information about the Wounded
Warrior Foundation or other charities for Veterans.
 Readers of Dope Sick could create a Readers Theatre Project. This could possibly
address some of the ambiguities of this story. Students could be prompted to
change one aspect of Lil’ J’s life and then write about the outcome.

14. References
 Children's Book Review: Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers, Author .
 HarperTeen/Amistad $16.99 (186p) ISBN 978-0-06-121477-6. (n.d.). Retrieved
July 13, 2015, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-121477-6
 Children's Book Review: Monster by Walter Dean Myers, Author, Christopher A.
Myers, Illustrator Amistad Press $16.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-06-028077-2. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 13, 2015, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-
028077-2
 DOPE SICK by Walter Dean Myers | Kirkus. (2009). Retrieved July 13, 2015,
from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-dean-
myers/dope-sick/
 FALLEN ANGELS by Walter Dean Myers | Kirkus. (1988, April 15). Retrieved
July 13, 2015, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-
dean-myers/fallen-angels/
 Fallen Angels. (1998). Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/fallen-angels

15. References, Continued
 Fallen Angels (Myers novel). (2015, May 16). Retrieved July 9, 2015, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallen_Angels_(Myers_novel)
 Lee, F. (2014, July 3). Walter Dean Myers Dies at 76; Wrote of Black Youth for
the Young. Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/04/arts/walter-dean-myers-childrens-author-dies-
at-76.html?_r=1
 MONSTER by Walter Dean Myers | Kirkus. (1999, May 1). Retrieved July 13,
2015, from
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/walter-dean-myers/monster-myers/
 Myers, W. (2009). Dope sick. New York: HarperTeen/Amistad.
 Myers, W. (1988). Fallen angels. New York: Scholastic.
 Myers, W., & Myers, C. (1999). Monster. New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins.

16. References Continued
 StoryCorps Story: “He never said anything good about my writing.”. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
http://storycorps.org/listen/walter-myers-and-his-son-christopher-myers/
 To Do Well In Life, You Have To 'Read Well' (2012, January 10). Retrieved July
13, 2015, from
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/10/144944598/to-do-well-in-life-you-have-to-read-well
 Walter Dean Myers. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
http://walterdeanmyers.net/
 Walter Dean Myers. (2014, April 2). Retrieved July 13, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClzQaDh14hzfBGQvHeUyCXg