Congratulations to Walter Dean Myers!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Job description:

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature raises national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.
I think he's a brilliant choice! Have you ever heard him speak? I complied a collection of videos for your listening and viewing pleasure. Congratulations, Walter Dean Myers!


Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers discuss their picture book, We Are America.


Walter reads a selection from We Are America.


Christopher Myers talks about what it is like to work with his dad, Walter Dean Myers.


Watch an interview with Ross Workman and Walter Dean Myers.


Readers Theater with Walter Dean Myers, Sarah Weeks, Avi, and Pam Munoz Ryan.


Walter's mother turned him into a great reader.

"In this AdLit.org podcast series award-winning author Walter Dean Myers discusses his childhood, his approach to writing, and the representations of minorities in young adult literature."

Borrow Walter's books from your school or public library. Whenever possible, please support independent bookshops.

Video of the Day: Zombie Chasers

Sunday, January 1, 2012


I spend more hours than I care to admit hunting down book trailers, watching author interviews, and reading interesting tidbits to share with my students. Thanks to the video feature with illustrator Steve Wolfhard and author John Kloepfer, I'm calling Anderson's Bookshop in the morning to order The Zombie Chasers series. You see, book trailers and author interviews DO sell books. I think many of my students will become Zombie Chasers in 2012.

Visit TheZombieChasers.com to get to know the Zombie Chasers, read excerpts, and play games.



"Reading is a big part of my writing process." -John Koepfer


Borrow The Zombie Chasers from your school or public library .

Happy New Year!



1. read every Caldecott Medal and Honor book.

2. participate in the Newbery Medal Challenge.

3. connect with schools around the world.

4. read 2012 books.

5. call my mom at least once per week.

6. try to live a stress-free life.

7. smile whenever possible.