Walter Dean Myers, author of the Printz Award-winning novel Monster, was born in 1937.
Event Description
Walter Dean Myers authored dozens of young adult novels, short stories, and other works. He began writing at an early age, after discovering that he could easily read his own words, despite a speech disability. Myers' novels about adolescents in real-life situations have earned a number of awards, including the Coretta Scott King Award for several titles, such as Fallen Angels, and a Newbery Honor Award for Scorpions.
Classroom Activity
Monster is presented in the form of a film script, written by the main character. Discuss how this format affects the story and why the author may have selected this writing style. Have students write a story using a similar format. Some options include:
- Have students rewrite a story as a screenplay from a character's point of view. Younger students could select a favorite children's story or picture book for this activity, while older students may choose their favorite novel.
- Ask students to write an autobiographical story. Have students first list interesting events from their lives, and then write a true or fictional account based on the facts.
Have students share their stories by creating a class book or reading them aloud.
Websites
This Houghton Mifflin page offers a biography of Myers and a booklist of his works.
HarperChildren's provides this reading group guide for Monster. There are discussion questions and information related to Myers and the book.
This page from Reading Rockets features an interview with Myers. Also included on the page are links to an annotated booklist and a brief biography of Meyers.
Scholastic offers this brief autobiography of Myers with links to additional information about his poem Harlem and a page focusing on the work of Myers and his son, illustrator Christopher Myers.