Walter Dean Myers was born August 12th, 1937, in Wester Virginia, but grew up with Herbert and Florence Dean. His biological mother had given him up, and he never discovered why. Growing up, he loved Basketball, but had trouble in school, so at the age of 17, he joined the army. One of his brothers had joined as well, but tragically was killed on first day of duty in Vietnam.
Today, Myers' son, Christopher, illustrates his books and even writes some of his own. Myers is currently National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Most of his writing, he says, is about his teen years, not knowing who he was, not knowing how to navigate this world. He has been quoted saying, "Reading is not optional." Though he has a few children's picture books (more for older elementary level), most of his works are on heavier topics, such as Vietnam, jail, school shootings, etc.
This he has many terrific works, I'm going to share my thoughts on his book, Monster. Monster is a polysemic book. No, the "author is not dead", folks. If this means nothing to you, I will explain. Roland Barthes first introduced the idea of "the author is dead." The meaning behind this is that there is no original text because everything that's written has already been written and everything that's been said has already been said. Nothing is new, it's all simply in how we rework our language. This idea of the dead author does not hold true for all books (if any actually). Everything can interpreted in different ways by different people. A polysemic text is one that has no determinate meaning. The reader produces meaning.
With that all clear, I shall continue. Monster is a polysemic text. You struggle throughout the novel to determine whether teen Steve Harmon is innocent or guilty of a crime he is on trial for. You get Steve's view the whole time and yet you are still left confused as to what he really thinks or what his actions were. He lies, he tries to tell the truth, he's innocent, he's guilty. Everything is somewhat up in the air. This heavy story is more appropriate for older teens as the content and meaning of the novel can be difficult to grasp. It is in the style of a screenplay, which helps make it a very quick read.
Awards:
Other books of interest by Myers:
Sunrise Over Fallujah
Shooter
Autobiography of My Dead Brother
Hoops
Another author of interest:
Angela Johnson was born June 18th, 1961 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She began her career in 1989 and was inspire by her babysitter, Cynthia Rylant, to start writing, as Cynthia had spotted much potential in Angela. As she knew people in publishing field already, it was rather easy for her to dive in. She's now published over 40 books. She prefers to write contemporary realism. She respects criticism from kids. You can watch an interview with her here.
Angela Johnson's novel If You Come Softly is an option for accompanying Myers's Monster. Johnson's novel tells the story of two high schoolers, a female Jewish girl and an African American boy who meet and fall in love. The story has a twist ending. Overall, this is a terrific story of two teens who feel like the world is telling them to stay away from each other while their hearts are telling them otherwise. The novel illustrates the struggles that accompany couples of different races.
Awards:
Books of interest by Johnson:
Picture and young adult books.
Sweet Smell of Roses
Other authors of interest:
Sharon Draper was born August 21st, 1952 in Ohio. She is a professional educator as well as an author. She is actively engaged with the YWCA of Cincinnati.
Awards:
Books of interest by Draper:
Copper Sun
Tears of a Tiger
Out of My Mind
November Blues
Romiette and Julio
Children's books to accompany Monster and If You Come Softly:
Nappy Hair by Caroivia Herron
I Too Am America by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Other Side of the Fence by Angela Johnson. Try comparing it to "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost.
Discussion Questions for The Other Side and I, Too, Am America:
1. How would you classify each book and why?
2. Do you think these books represent "good" multicultural literature? Why or why not?
3. How would you use these books?
4. What do you think of the illustrations in terms of whether they enhance, support, or detract from the story?
5. Both books are written and illustrated by African Americans. Does this impact your view of how authentic these books are?
Specific to The Other Side
1. The illustrator portrays the characters (of all races) as dressing similarly, and the author has them speak similarly. Does this contribute to assimilationist perspectives?
2. Mama tells Clover not to play with the other children, yet teaches her not to stare. What do you think about the contradiction there?
3. Is the ending satisfying?
4. Is there a moral to this story? Should there be? (Relate to how this book should be used with children).
Specific to I, Too, Am America
1. What does the collage style of art contribute to the text?
2. What is the symbolism of the porter throwing the papers and things off the back of the train? (This is addressed in the illustrator's note.)
3. What images of African Americans are presented in the text? Are they reflected in the artwork? Are they positive or negative?
Today, Myers' son, Christopher, illustrates his books and even writes some of his own. Myers is currently National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Most of his writing, he says, is about his teen years, not knowing who he was, not knowing how to navigate this world. He has been quoted saying, "Reading is not optional." Though he has a few children's picture books (more for older elementary level), most of his works are on heavier topics, such as Vietnam, jail, school shootings, etc.
This he has many terrific works, I'm going to share my thoughts on his book, Monster. Monster is a polysemic book. No, the "author is not dead", folks. If this means nothing to you, I will explain. Roland Barthes first introduced the idea of "the author is dead." The meaning behind this is that there is no original text because everything that's written has already been written and everything that's been said has already been said. Nothing is new, it's all simply in how we rework our language. This idea of the dead author does not hold true for all books (if any actually). Everything can interpreted in different ways by different people. A polysemic text is one that has no determinate meaning. The reader produces meaning.
With that all clear, I shall continue. Monster is a polysemic text. You struggle throughout the novel to determine whether teen Steve Harmon is innocent or guilty of a crime he is on trial for. You get Steve's view the whole time and yet you are still left confused as to what he really thinks or what his actions were. He lies, he tries to tell the truth, he's innocent, he's guilty. Everything is somewhat up in the air. This heavy story is more appropriate for older teens as the content and meaning of the novel can be difficult to grasp. It is in the style of a screenplay, which helps make it a very quick read.
Awards:
- Nominated for the 1999 National Book Award for Young People's Literature. The National Book Award for Young People's Literature is one of four annual National Book Awards, which are given by the National Book Foundation to recognize outstanding literary work by US citizens.
- Won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2000. The Michael L. Printz Award annually honors the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit, each year.
- Named a Coretta Scott King Award Honor in 2000. The Coretta Scott King Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.
Other books of interest by Myers:
Sunrise Over Fallujah
Shooter
Autobiography of My Dead Brother
Hoops
Another author of interest:
Angela Johnson was born June 18th, 1961 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She began her career in 1989 and was inspire by her babysitter, Cynthia Rylant, to start writing, as Cynthia had spotted much potential in Angela. As she knew people in publishing field already, it was rather easy for her to dive in. She's now published over 40 books. She prefers to write contemporary realism. She respects criticism from kids. You can watch an interview with her here.
Angela Johnson's novel If You Come Softly is an option for accompanying Myers's Monster. Johnson's novel tells the story of two high schoolers, a female Jewish girl and an African American boy who meet and fall in love. The story has a twist ending. Overall, this is a terrific story of two teens who feel like the world is telling them to stay away from each other while their hearts are telling them otherwise. The novel illustrates the struggles that accompany couples of different races.
Awards:
- Won Coretta Scott King Award
- Won Ezra Jack Keats Book Award. The Ezra Jack Keats Book Award is given annually to an outstanding new writer and new illustrator of picture books for children.
- MacArthur Fellows Genius Grant. The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowship to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction.
Books of interest by Johnson:
Picture and young adult books.
Sweet Smell of Roses
Other authors of interest:
Sharon Draper was born August 21st, 1952 in Ohio. She is a professional educator as well as an author. She is actively engaged with the YWCA of Cincinnati.
Awards:
- Coretta Scott King Award
Books of interest by Draper:
Copper Sun
Tears of a Tiger
Out of My Mind
November Blues
Romiette and Julio
Children's books to accompany Monster and If You Come Softly:
Nappy Hair by Caroivia Herron
I Too Am America by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Other Side of the Fence by Angela Johnson. Try comparing it to "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost.
Discussion Questions for The Other Side and I, Too, Am America:
1. How would you classify each book and why?
2. Do you think these books represent "good" multicultural literature? Why or why not?
3. How would you use these books?
4. What do you think of the illustrations in terms of whether they enhance, support, or detract from the story?
5. Both books are written and illustrated by African Americans. Does this impact your view of how authentic these books are?
Specific to The Other Side
1. The illustrator portrays the characters (of all races) as dressing similarly, and the author has them speak similarly. Does this contribute to assimilationist perspectives?
2. Mama tells Clover not to play with the other children, yet teaches her not to stare. What do you think about the contradiction there?
3. Is the ending satisfying?
4. Is there a moral to this story? Should there be? (Relate to how this book should be used with children).
Specific to I, Too, Am America
1. What does the collage style of art contribute to the text?
2. What is the symbolism of the porter throwing the papers and things off the back of the train? (This is addressed in the illustrator's note.)
3. What images of African Americans are presented in the text? Are they reflected in the artwork? Are they positive or negative?
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