“Anytime Myers steps to the plate, you know there’s a chance he’ll hit it out of the park.”
— Booklist, starred review

An author study is an excellent way to investigate and celebrate the work of a writer.

Click here to watch a video of Walter Dean Myers discussing language.

Walter Dean Myers is the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books for children and young adults, including Sunrise Over Fallujah, Fallen Angels, Monster, Somewhere in the Darkness, Slam!, Jazz, and Harlem. Mr. Myers has received two Newbery Honors, five Coretta Scott King Awards, and the inaugural recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. In addition, he was the winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award and the 1994 recipient of the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring an author for a "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature." He is considered one of the preeminent writers for children.

In 2012, Walter Dean Myers was named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. The National Ambassador program, sponsored by the Library of Congress and the Children’s Book Council, was established in 2008 with the naming of Jon Scieszka for the first two-year term. Candidates are selected based on their contribution to young people’s literature and their ability to relate to children.

Start your author study by reading a short biography of Walter Dean Myers and choosing a selection of his books to read — some of which have free teaching resources such as book talks, discussion guides, and extension activities. Then go to Scholastic's Author Study Guide to get more detailed information about conducting an author study and to download free printables. Students may want to visit Walter Dean Myers' website for more information on his books and life.