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