Walter Dean Myers has made the big time...and happy new year

Walter Dean Myers was recently named the national ambassador for young people's literature.  This means he will tour the country for two years visiting schools and library talking about the importance of reading!  I wonder if there's a way we can get him at MN.

Can you imagine?

If you don't know who Mr. Myers is, stop reading this blog (!) and pick up Monster, the story of a young boy justly? unjustly? accused of acting as a murder accomplice during a robbery.  Steve documents his  time awaiting trial through a journal written in movie script style. It's such a sad, genuine, hard story.  And it leaves you wondering...there is no nice & tidy ending.  Just like in real life.  Love it.


Of significance is WDM's message to people with a similar background.  He dropped out of high school and yet has managed to lead a successful life as an author.  He will tell you, reading saved his life. The following is taken from a New York Times article:

“I think that what we need to do is say reading is going to really affect your life,” he said in an interview at his book-cluttered house here in Jersey City, adding that he hoped to speak directly to low-income minority parents. “You take a black man who doesn’t have a job, but you say to him, ‘Look, you can make a difference in your child’s life, just by reading to him for 30 minutes a day.’ That’s what I would like to do.”


OK Mavs, go read a WDM book and let's brainstorm on how we can wrangle a visit from the country's newest young adult literature laureate!

And a big Happy New Year, btw.  The next entry will be all about how to make 2012 your year!