Lane noted in the African American Review that the author 'celebrates children by weaving narratives of the black juvenile experience in ways that reverse the effects of mediated messages of the black experience in public culture. They appeal because Myers knows and cares about the things that concern his readers and because he creates characters that readers are happy to spend time with.' R. Lauded for his understanding of the young, Myers is acclaimed as the creator of believable, sympathetic adolescent characters he is also praised for creating realistic dialogue, some of which draws on rap music and other aspects of black culture.Calling Myers 'a unique voice,' Rudine Sims Bishop said that Myers has become 'an important writer because he creates books that appeal to young adults from many cultural groups. Although his characters confront difficult issues, Myers stresses survival, pride, and hope in his works, which are filled with love and laughter and a strong sense of possibility for the future of their protagonists. His themes often include the relationship between fathers and sons as well as the search for identity and self-worth in an environment of poverty, drugs, gangs, and racism. Myers stresses the more positive aspects of black urban life in his works often setting his stories in his boyhood home of Harlem, he is acknowledged for depicting the strength and dignity of his characters without downplaying the harsh realities of their lives.Īlthough he features both young men and women as protagonists, Myers is noted for his focus on young black males. Although he is praised for his contributions to several genres, he is perhaps best known as the writer of books for readers in junior high and high school that range from farcical, lighthearted stories for younger teens to powerful, moving novels for older adolescents. A versatile and prolific author, Myers has written realistic and historical fiction, mysteries, adventure stories, fantasies, nonfiction, poetry, and picture books for a diverse audience of young people. As a member of this group, which also includes Alice Childress, Lucille Clifton, Eloise Greenfield, Virginia Hamilton, and Sharon Bell Mathis, Myers distinguished himself by bringing both humor and poignancy to his work as well by creating books with special appeal to boys in addition, he is considered the only prominent male writer of the group to have consistently published books of quality. A number of African-American writers emerged in the 1960s and 1970s who sought to provide more realistic storylines and more well-rounded portrayals of black characters than those by previous authors.

Harlem by walter dean myers read aloud