Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Amistad (HarperTempest) (HarperCollins)
Pages
214
Description
Young Adult Fiction. HTML: A classic memoir that's gripping, funny, and ultimately unforgettable from the bestselling former National Ambassador of Books for Young People. A strong choice for summer reading�??an engaging and powerful autobiographical exploration of growing up a so-called "bad boy" in Harlem in the 1940s. As a boy, Myers was quick-tempered and physically strong, always ready for a fight. He also read voraciously�??he would check out books from the library and carry them home, hidden in brown paper bags in order to avoid other boys' teasing. He aspired to be a writer (and he eventually succeeded). But as his hope for a successful future diminished, the values he had been taught at home, in school, and in his community seemed worthless, and he turned to the streets and to his books for comfort. Don't miss this memoir by New York Times bestselling author Walter Dean Myers, one of the most important voices of our time.… (more)
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001-05-08
Physical description
214 p.; 7.2 inches
ISBN
9780064472883
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member winkinkwriting
Walter Dean Meyers rocks. Another great book that puts you in the narrator's shoes--this time it's the author. Fascinating look at life in Harlem in the 40s and 50s. Beautiful writing.
LibraryThing member PigOfHappiness
Walter Dean Myers recounts what life was like growing up in Harlem, NY during the 1940's and 1950's. Appropriate for middle school and beyond.
LibraryThing member snash
An interesting memoir recounting the difficulties of growing up smart and black, both adding to his sense of alienation. Writing simple and straightforward which nonetheless left me anxiously anticipating what would happen next. Includes good depictions of Harlem in the 1940's and 50's.
LibraryThing member BGMSTeachers
For older students who get in trouble a lot, this autobiography by Walter Dean Myers has good lessons about rising above what you have been dealt and moving on. Boys who have been in trouble like this book.
LibraryThing member cassiusclay
personal response: After reading about his life, particularly his early childhood, I am amazed Walter Dean Myers is still alive. He sounds like he took a lot of stupid risks as a kid. Overall, it was nice to see where he came from and how he became the person that wrote wonderful stories like
curricular connections:
a must to include in an author study.
reflection of mid-20th century domestic history
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Monster. When he describes his friend throwing away a stack of comic books every month I cringed. How could someone do that? I wonder what treasures were discarded.curricular connections:
a must to include in an author study.
reflection of mid-20th century domestic history
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LibraryThing member J.Rod
This Autobiography shows how Walter struggled on his way to be a men, he had to choose from right and wrong to succeed. Walter also wanted to do the best to be a good man and succeed. Walter was also a great writer, Everyone always likes to hear about a kid growing up black in Harlem, and the
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struggles of a family trying to do their very best to take out a good living life. Once he was disgusted of how he was living life and so then he remembered a fellow teacher back in elementary school that once told him, “Whatever you do don’t stop writing”. Walter Didn’t stop he wrote a book and then became an award winning author. I recommend this book because it shows how people lived life back then and also how little money they had to survive the hard times, I also recommend it because it shows how hard working was Walter to succeed Show Less
LibraryThing member StonehamHS_Library
We can all relate to being the odd one out, but not all of us can relate to being discriminated by an entire country. This memoir called Bad Boy by Walter Dean Myers is an insightful novel about what it is like growing up as an African American boy in Harlem during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Walter
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is a tough, ill-tempered boy who just can’t seem to stay out of trouble and lives with his adoptive parents. A speech problem he had would provoke his classmates to make fun of Walter which got him in trouble with his teachers. He meant well, but at times he just couldn’t control his anger. Walter is an exceptionally bright young man who discovers his love for reading which becomes his escape from the rest of the world. Sports also play a big part in his life. Most of his time as a child was spent playing ball games they made up, or going to the park to play basketball. Although he loved sports, he didn’t exactly have the resources to play competitively. Once he hits high school, he begins to lose himself and doesn’t really know where he wants to go in life. As he misses more and more days of school his teachers begin to notice, so he has to see a counselor every week. The women he sees asks him the question “do you like being black?” and Walter answers yes of course, but it makes him think about himself in different ways than he had before. For Walter, reading and writing are his remedies for when he is feeling lost or out of place. When he wasn’t going to school, he was in the park reading as many as three books a week. This story connects to the American Dream because it is all about the struggle for a good life. Throughout the book, Walter watches as his colleagues apply for colleges and discover what they want to do for a living. He doesn’t know what he wants to do when he’s older but he knows he doesn’t want to become like all the other black men in Harlem who have jobs that require only physical strength and no intellectuality. He wants to make a name for himself and be content with what he becomes. “I was a thinking being, and I wanted to know where I fit into the world. Even if the importance of defining myself had somehow eluded me, there were people around me who would not let me forget the importance of announcing to the world who I was or who I intended to be.” (Page 175) I enjoyed this book because it gave me a chance to get an idea of someone else’s perspective on life. The way Walter lived is very different from how I live. I will never fully understand what it must have been like to grow up as an African American in that period of time, but this memoir changed my outlook on things in many different ways. The way the author wrote the story is enjoyable in the sense that it wasn’t told with much dialogue, but it included many stories from his childhood and how they affected him as a person. The story brings up different outlooks on everyday things that the reader may not think about at all. It was a short but compelling story that was worth reading.-(?) Show Less
LibraryThing member Sara_Killough
5Q
4P
Just like the protagonist in his young adult novel Lockdown, young Walter Dean Meyers grows up struggling to control his issues with anger as they continue to land him in trouble until he discovers the ability to channel his feelings into his writing. In his memoir, Meyers paints a vivid
4P
Just like the protagonist in his young adult novel Lockdown, young Walter Dean Meyers grows up struggling to control his issues with anger as they continue to land him in trouble until he discovers the ability to channel his feelings into his writing. In his memoir, Meyers paints a vivid
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picture of his life, his family, and his acquaintances that is engaging and that makes this book a page-turner. Readers may be interested to hear about the early life of such a prolific author, and the book will continue to draw them in until the very last page! Show Less
LibraryThing member Ctorm
5Q 4P
An intimate look into the life of an influential and beloved children's and YA author, Walter Dean Myers. Myers tells of growing up in Harlem and how his love of reading and books helped him find a way to attain his aspirations. A great read as his family and social life are rife with colorful
An intimate look into the life of an influential and beloved children's and YA author, Walter Dean Myers. Myers tells of growing up in Harlem and how his love of reading and books helped him find a way to attain his aspirations. A great read as his family and social life are rife with colorful
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characters and incidents, readers will enjoy learning about such a renowned author. Show Less
LibraryThing member CircusTrain
4Q - some sentiments and descriptions are well beyond most of the YA range, although very beautifully rendered, and with a naked honesty that is deeply touching.
3P - sadly, this is not likely to appeal to mainstream YA very strongly, although it really does deserve to.
3P - sadly, this is not likely to appeal to mainstream YA very strongly, although it really does deserve to.
LibraryThing member econnick
This memoir is an account of Walter Dean Myers' childhood in Harlem. While this memoir may be difficult to incorporate into a middle school classroom, Myers' tales show how his inner struggles and questions helped to shape himself as a writer. The questions and confusion that he experienced as a
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teen, highly influenced by his own race and how he fit into the world, is one that can be translated into many teenagers lives. I think this book would be beneficial for any student who may be struggling to find his or her place in any environment. I enjoyed reading about his childhood and look forward to exploring his fiction books as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Narrated by Joe Morton. The author's autobiography of growing up in Harlem. He had a reputation among his teachers about his problem behavior but he was strong in reading and writing. As a teen, school became less meaningful to him, and he skipped for weeks at a time, going instead to Central Park
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to read. At age 127, he joined the army. After his military service, he took on stultifying jobs until he realized he needed to get back to writing again. Winning a children's book-writing contest began his career as a children's book writer. The book slows down when he talks about heftier books he's read such as "Ulysses." Narrator Morton reads with such stern seriousness. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pamela_SC
I am so glad to have read this book with my 6th-grade students! What honesty he exhibits about his life and struggles! I love that there is a happy ending, and it was actually quite easy for my students to arrive at a message he was communicating to them. There were parts I would not read aloud
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with them from Myers' teen years, but it was all part of his complete honesty about his life. Many students were so engaged in this book for its honesty and its right in your face approach to the racism Myers encountered when he grew up. Every parent should read this book and then let their middle or high school aged kids read it. Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: Kind of drawn out, somewhat dated story about Myer's experience growing up in 1950's Harlem and struggling to find himself as a bright, intellectual outcast.
Subjects
Awards
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2003)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2002)
CCBC Choices (2001)
Call number
YA A Mye