INTRO TO AUTHORWALTER DEAN MYERS

BIRTHAugust 12, 1937Martinsburg, WVGeorge & Mary

CHILDHOODHad 3 sisters & 2 brothersBiological mother passed away giving birth to his younger sisterGeorge married Florence, but eventually divorced

CHILDHOODFlorence remarried Herbert Dean; they adopted WalterLived in Harlem, NYHad a speech impediment

CHILDHOODLoving family; Had 2 step-sistersFlorence was an alcoholicCentered around neighborhood and church--Neighborhood = protection; Church = guidance

EDUCATION Smart, but not considered a

good student Loved reading & writing Reading & writing made him

different from his peers

EDUCATIONMost of authors he read were British and whiteHigh school drop-outJoined the army @ 17 y/o