Growing up in Harlem in the 1940s, Walter Dean Myers didn't have it easy. His uncle was murdered when he was 14, sending his foster father spiraling into deep depression and alcoholism, and bringing down the entire family — and Myers' chances of going to college.
Despite these challenges, Walter Dean Myers persevered and found solace in books and writing. He turned to literature as a form of escape and self-expression, using his troubled experiences as fuel for his stories.
Myers attended Stuyvesant High School, where he discovered his love for writing and began to nurture his talent. However, his family's financial struggles and the absence of a strong support system made it difficult for him to pursue higher education.
Determined to achieve his dreams, Myers joined the army at the age of 17. During his time in the military, he continued to write and send his work to publishers. After his service, he took various odd jobs to make ends meet while still pursuing his writing.
In 1969, Walter Dean Myers published his first children's book, "Where Does the Day Go?". This marked the beginning of a prolific writing career that would span over four decades. Myers wrote over a hundred books, often dealing with themes of poverty, racism, and the struggles of young African Americans.
His works became highly acclaimed and earned him numerous awards, including the Coretta Scott King Award and the Michael L. Printz Award. Myers' writing resonated with young readers who found themselves represented in his stories. He was a prominent advocate for diverse voices in literature and actively worked towards increasing representation in children's books.
Through his writing, Walter Dean Myers aimed to provide a platform for young readers to see themselves in literature and to inspire them to overcome their own challenges. Despite the hardships he faced, he emerged as a highly respected author, leaving a lasting impact on the literary world.