Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers
ISBN: 978-0-644-72883
Myers, W. D. (2001). Bad boy: A memoir. New York: Amistad.
Plot Summary
Walter Dean Myers, award-winning author, did not start out award winning. Born to African American parents in the 1930s, Dean Myers did not have an advantage in life. After his mother’s death, he was informally adopted by his father’s first wife and her second husband. Dean Myers was raised alongside his much older half-sisters as the treasured baby. An abundance of energy led Dean Myers to find himself constantly in trouble at school. He enjoyed books and literature, but was quick to anger and find himself in fights. Tall for his age, and strong, Dean Myers was not one to let a slight go, or walk away from an argument. A few teachers noticed his intelligence and reading ability, but his behavior often stood in his way. He also had a speech impediment that made him reluctant to speak or read in class. A sixth grade teacher encouraged Dean Myers and recommended him for an accelerated class the next year. The next couple years were good ones, as Dean Myers did well in his accelerated program with other students. He was accepted into a good high school, but began to fall through the cracks. His uncle’s death left a hole in Dean Myers’ father, and his mother began to obsess over the numbers, similar to today’s lottery. Dean Myers eventually stopped attending high school, and ends his formal education as a teenager unsure of where life will lead.
Critical Evaluation
A moving, true story about the life of acclaimed young adult author Walter Dean Myers. Written by Myers himself, he describes his poor, but loving family and his descent into a bad boy attitude. It is not entirely clear why Myers, an honors student, shifted his life from potential college student to high school dropout. His path illustrates how many other students find themselves floundering and falling through the cracks in the public school system. The realities of mid-20th century Harlem are an interesting combination of culture and disrepair. Though writing about himself, Myers never affects a preachy or self-important tone of voice. Rather, he is fair in his descriptions of both himself and the people he knew. Rather short for a memoir (although an appropriate length for the age group), many background questions linger. The epilogue does little to adequately answer the questions. Bad Boy covers Myers’ life through high school, with only a short explanation of his early adult life. It would have been interesting to see how Myers was able to change his life around and become the writer he is today. However, the purpose of the memoir serves to examine Myers early life, and how these experiences have shaped his adulthood, and his writing for young adults.
Reader’s Annotation
Follows the youth and young adulthood of author Walter Dean Myers as he struggles to survive in Harlem, New York.
About the Author
Walter Dean Myers published his first book in 1969, and has not stopped. Since his debut, Dean Myers has written over 90 books, and is a prolific writer. Most of his books are fiction novels for young adults, but he has written some non-fiction as well. He aims to write for teens and the troubles they may encounter during life. Dean Myers has won numerous awards including the Printz Award, Coretta Schott King Award, and Margaret A. Edwards Award. He has also been a Newbery Honor twice, and was a two-time National Book Award Finalist.
Walter Dean Myers was born Walter Milton Myers in West Virginia. For reasons he did not quite understand, Dean Myers was informally adopted by Florence, his father’s first wife, and her second husband Herbert. Though he later met his biological father and his other siblings, Dean Myers considered Florence and Herbert as his parents. He was raised in Harlem, New York with a close relationship to church and the neighborhood. Dean Myers skipped a grade in school, but ended up dropping out of high school. He joined the army at 17, and did not turn to writing until much later in life. He credits a high school English teacher for inspiring him to always keep on reading and writing. Dean Myers chooses to write about the teen years because those were the most difficult of his life.
Genre
Memoir
Curriculum Ties
African American History
Booktalking
How does a self-titled ‘Bad Boy’ turned into an acclaimed young adult writer? Written by Myers himself, he describes his poor, but loving family and his descent into a bad boy attitude. It is not entirely clear why Myers, an honors student, shifted his life from potential college student to high school dropout. His path illustrates how many other students find themselves floundering and falling through the cracks in the public school system. The realities of mid-20th century Harlem are an interesting combination of culture and disrepair. Though writing about himself, Myers never affects a preachy or self-important tone of voice. Rather, he is fair in his descriptions of both himself and the people he knew. Rather short for a memoir (although an appropriate length for the age group), many background questions linger. The epilogue does little to adequately answer the questions. Bad Boy covers Myers’ life through high school, with only a short explanation of his early adult life. It would have been interesting to see how Myers was able to change his life around and become the writer he is today. However, the purpose of the memoir serves to examine Myers early life, and how these experiences have shaped his adulthood, and his writing for young adults.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 7th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Some challenge issues may include the author’s descent into not caring about school, and defying adults.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Walter Dean Myers is a well-known and acclaimed author of young adult literature. I have never read any of his novels, but felt he would be a good individual to read about.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Myers, W. D. (2009). Biography. Retrieved from http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/bio.html
ISBN: 978-0-644-72883
Myers, W. D. (2001). Bad boy: A memoir. New York: Amistad.
Plot Summary
Walter Dean Myers, award-winning author, did not start out award winning. Born to African American parents in the 1930s, Dean Myers did not have an advantage in life. After his mother’s death, he was informally adopted by his father’s first wife and her second husband. Dean Myers was raised alongside his much older half-sisters as the treasured baby. An abundance of energy led Dean Myers to find himself constantly in trouble at school. He enjoyed books and literature, but was quick to anger and find himself in fights. Tall for his age, and strong, Dean Myers was not one to let a slight go, or walk away from an argument. A few teachers noticed his intelligence and reading ability, but his behavior often stood in his way. He also had a speech impediment that made him reluctant to speak or read in class. A sixth grade teacher encouraged Dean Myers and recommended him for an accelerated class the next year. The next couple years were good ones, as Dean Myers did well in his accelerated program with other students. He was accepted into a good high school, but began to fall through the cracks. His uncle’s death left a hole in Dean Myers’ father, and his mother began to obsess over the numbers, similar to today’s lottery. Dean Myers eventually stopped attending high school, and ends his formal education as a teenager unsure of where life will lead.
Critical Evaluation
A moving, true story about the life of acclaimed young adult author Walter Dean Myers. Written by Myers himself, he describes his poor, but loving family and his descent into a bad boy attitude. It is not entirely clear why Myers, an honors student, shifted his life from potential college student to high school dropout. His path illustrates how many other students find themselves floundering and falling through the cracks in the public school system. The realities of mid-20th century Harlem are an interesting combination of culture and disrepair. Though writing about himself, Myers never affects a preachy or self-important tone of voice. Rather, he is fair in his descriptions of both himself and the people he knew. Rather short for a memoir (although an appropriate length for the age group), many background questions linger. The epilogue does little to adequately answer the questions. Bad Boy covers Myers’ life through high school, with only a short explanation of his early adult life. It would have been interesting to see how Myers was able to change his life around and become the writer he is today. However, the purpose of the memoir serves to examine Myers early life, and how these experiences have shaped his adulthood, and his writing for young adults.
Reader’s Annotation
Follows the youth and young adulthood of author Walter Dean Myers as he struggles to survive in Harlem, New York.
About the Author
Walter Dean Myers published his first book in 1969, and has not stopped. Since his debut, Dean Myers has written over 90 books, and is a prolific writer. Most of his books are fiction novels for young adults, but he has written some non-fiction as well. He aims to write for teens and the troubles they may encounter during life. Dean Myers has won numerous awards including the Printz Award, Coretta Schott King Award, and Margaret A. Edwards Award. He has also been a Newbery Honor twice, and was a two-time National Book Award Finalist.
Walter Dean Myers was born Walter Milton Myers in West Virginia. For reasons he did not quite understand, Dean Myers was informally adopted by Florence, his father’s first wife, and her second husband Herbert. Though he later met his biological father and his other siblings, Dean Myers considered Florence and Herbert as his parents. He was raised in Harlem, New York with a close relationship to church and the neighborhood. Dean Myers skipped a grade in school, but ended up dropping out of high school. He joined the army at 17, and did not turn to writing until much later in life. He credits a high school English teacher for inspiring him to always keep on reading and writing. Dean Myers chooses to write about the teen years because those were the most difficult of his life.
Genre
Memoir
Curriculum Ties
African American History
Booktalking
How does a self-titled ‘Bad Boy’ turned into an acclaimed young adult writer? Written by Myers himself, he describes his poor, but loving family and his descent into a bad boy attitude. It is not entirely clear why Myers, an honors student, shifted his life from potential college student to high school dropout. His path illustrates how many other students find themselves floundering and falling through the cracks in the public school system. The realities of mid-20th century Harlem are an interesting combination of culture and disrepair. Though writing about himself, Myers never affects a preachy or self-important tone of voice. Rather, he is fair in his descriptions of both himself and the people he knew. Rather short for a memoir (although an appropriate length for the age group), many background questions linger. The epilogue does little to adequately answer the questions. Bad Boy covers Myers’ life through high school, with only a short explanation of his early adult life. It would have been interesting to see how Myers was able to change his life around and become the writer he is today. However, the purpose of the memoir serves to examine Myers early life, and how these experiences have shaped his adulthood, and his writing for young adults.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 7th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Some challenge issues may include the author’s descent into not caring about school, and defying adults.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
Walter Dean Myers is a well-known and acclaimed author of young adult literature. I have never read any of his novels, but felt he would be a good individual to read about.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Myers, W. D. (2009). Biography. Retrieved from http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/bio.html
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