Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers is a man who loves books. He loves reading. He also loves to write. Both have been a big part of his life since he was a small boy. Now he is a famous author. He has written more than eighty-five books! Many of his books have won awards. How did he become such a great author? The story might surprise you.


Walter Milton Myers was born in West Virginia in 1937. Two years later, his mother died. Walter was sent to live with a foster family, the Deans. He moved to New York City. He lived in Harlem. It was a tough place to grow up. The Deans loved Walter very much. They did the best that they could to take care of him. They had many friends in their neighborhood. All of the children played together. The parents would all help each other out with the kids. The Deans were also members of a church. Both groups were like a second family to Walter. They helped him stay out of trouble in a place where trouble was easy to find.


Walter loved going to the library. Reading was so much fun for Walter. Most fun things cost money. The Deans didn't have a lot of money. Walter felt so lucky because he could read as many books as he wanted for free!


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