Bad Boy: A Memoir

I am a former elementary teacher and school librarian who has been reading Walter Dean Myers books for years. In his usual conversational manner Walter Dean Myers writes about his journey to become one of the best, most respected, and award-winning children's book writers. He explains his struggles growing up in Harlem, NY, and how certain people in his life had positive effects to motivate him to become a writer. However, along the way he never thought he could earn a living from writing or become a famous writer for children, mainly boys. Probably the biggest motivation in Walter's life was READING an assortment of FICTION and NONFICTION books, so that he knew there could be a life for him beyond the difficult life he was experiencing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and his in-depth evaluations about where he had come from and what he needed to do to succeed. This INSPIRATIONAL book should be published in hardcover and be in every elementary, middle-school, and high school library for librarians to give to kids who are struggling through hardships within their family and at school. Kids will learn to never give up, because EVERY ONE of THEM can succeed in life. After all Walter Dean Myer did not finish high school. But he did what one teacher advised him to do, and that was to "NEVER STOP WRITING." As Walter said on page 200 of BAD BOY, "My reading ability led me to books, which led me to ideas, which led me to more books and more ideas. The slow dance through the ideas led me to writing." However, Walter's becoming a writer could also lead SAM, TANISHA, JUSTIN, CHELSEA, EUGENE, LA TOYA, ALBERT, KRISSY, and BARACK to become an attorney, doctor, vetrinarian, mechanic, builder, successful businessman, or president of the United States, Liberia, or another country! Our kids need encouragement and BOOKS, especially biographies and autobiographies, not criticism and punishment for minor offenses. Everyone read BAD BOY! And publish this book in hard cover for school and public librarians to purchase to withstand constant circulation. Karen McWilliams, children's book author

I am basing this off of my son. He had to pick one of the summer reading options for 7th grade. He enjoyed it and it was a rather quick read. Both sets of grandparents had very different upbringing and experiences. It was enlightening for our son to read about a young man in 1950's Harlem, struggling to find himself as a bright, intellectual outcast. The young boy was always ready for a fight because the Harlem streets were no joke! I read the memoir after my son finished. I'd say it is still relevant in this day and age. This story is a strong voice in teen literature today.

The style is simple and unemotional in a way that makes this account of a troubled childhood and adolescence digestible and also appropriate for younger readers. The reader isn’t forced to experience the emotional trauma of identifying too heavily with the aithor’s tribulations or dwell on his periodic suffering. At the same time, as an adult reader, I might have liked to enter the author’s head or emotional world a bit more: it feels he kids you at arm’s length, or farther, the whole time. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting memoir of childhood for a challenged boy and a readable snapshot of an important part of recent American history.

My son (11) was required to read a memoir or autobiography this quarter. He’s a super picky reader—although he does enjoy reading—so I figured finding him a nonfiction book that held his interest wasn’t going to be an easy task. How wrong I was! This was one of the first books I came across on Amazon. It sounded interesting to me, so I told my son about it, and he agreed that “it didn’t sound bad.” High praise indeed. 🙄🙄 In the end, he enjoyed it. So much so that I bought him another book by the same author! Happy reading!

I once met Walter Dean Myers, so I was very interested in reading about his early life. Although his journey to adulthood was fraught with webs of confusion, questions about his self-worth, struggles with racial identity and relationships, and the trials of education he did manage to find his place in the universe. Even though I knew something about the outcome, I was unable to keep myself from rooting for this troubled youth. The memoir was coherent, logical, and moving. His was a world outside of my experience, but Walter Dean Myers painted a picture of his youth and his family that was clear to me. I appreciated his straightforward approach.

This contemporary autobiography deals with many issues young people in urban communities are familiar with: social and emotional challenges, discomfort with school situations, and searching for meaning in difficult circumstances. The book also teaches students an important lesson: they (like Walter Dean Myers) can overcome challenges in their lives and find their own unique talents in the process. Readers will enjoy the culturally unique setting (Harlem) and vivid character descriptions in this literary non-fiction book. Walter Dean Myers has written many other books so reading one can lead to reading another - his work is particularly appealing to middle-school and early high school aged readers.

ordered for my son