Walter Dean Myers Author Study Post-Unit Assessment

Part1
1. What are two main themes in “Kitty and Mack a Love Story”?
a. violence and war b. love and friendship
c. community and war d. commitment and slavery

2. What is Walter Dean Myers’ family background?

a. he grew up with his mom and dad in Harlem
b. was born in West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents
c. was a carpenter on a trade ship
d. was born a writer

3. Identify two main themes in most of Walter Dean Myers’ works.

a. Harlem and community b. violence and luck
b. hunger and starvation d. pride and war

4. “I’m not cutting the rug,…but I’m not lying on it, either.” is an example of:
a. Personification b. simile
b. idiomatic expression c. metaphor

5. What is the purpose of an author study?

a. to get to know how an author lives
b. to learn a lot about several authors
c. to gain a deeper understanding about an author’s life and work
d. to be able to share what you have learned about an author

6. Using one story from 145th Street Short Stories and the novel you read explain
what you believe to be the personal experience that inspired Walter Dean Myers to
create the pieces you chose?
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 Part 2
Directions: Tell students that in the section they will be note taking from a read aloud.
Read the passage twice a moderate pace.

Walter Dean Myers the Man

Walter Dean Myers is an African American author of young adult literature. He was
born in Martinsburg West Virginia. His mother died when he was only two years old. He
has little memory of her. He moved to Harlem New York, when he was three to live with
his foster parents, the Deans. He took their name as his middle name. After dropping out
of high school at seventeen, Myers joined the Army. He was in the Army for four years.
This experience helped inform the writing of 1989's Fallen Angels, one of his most
controversial and enduring books. Upon being discharged from the Army, Myers
returned to New York where he worked loading trucks, and in the post office while
writing at night. Eventually, he entered and won a 1969 contest sponsored by the Council
on Interracial Books for Children, which led to his first book for children, Where Does
The Day Go? being published. His career began in earnest however, when he began
writing books for young adults.

In 1975, Myers published Fast Sam, Cool Clyde and Stuff, which was one of the first
novels in the rapidly increasing genre known as "young adult literature." More so, it was
one of the first books to deal with African-American characters in an urban setting.
Myers would continue to write young adult realistic fiction throughout his career, helping
shape the genre as a whole.

Myers has also published numerous volumes of poetry and a vast array of non-fiction
works dealing with the African-American experience through out history. Exploring
everything from the accomplishments of Muhammad Ali to the struggle for freedom in
Haiti, Myers brought to his non-fiction work the same attention to detail and rich
language that characterizes his novels.

He continues to publish and receive honors, such as the 2006 title Jazz, which was a 2007
ALA Children's Notable Book and was illustrated by his son, Christopher Myers.

It should be noted that most of Myers' works are based on his old neighborhood in
Harlem, New York. He deals with the struggling urban teen, often depicting gang life,
drug use, violence, and dealing with peers and peer pressure when one has found a way
out. Myers generally writes about what he knows and has experienced. He currently lives
in New Jersey with his family.
Part 2

Respond to the follow questions using your notes from the read aloud.

1. In the chart below, identify two cause and effect relationships.

Cause Effect

1.

2.

2 The expression “controversial and enduring” is used to describe the book Fallen Angels
explain how it also describes Walter Dean Myers’ life. Use evidence from the text to
support your answer.

3 What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing “Walter Dean Myers the Man”?
Circle your choice. Explain your choice using details from the article.
to inform to entertain to persuade
Book 2
4 Write an essay in which you describe how Walter Dean Myers became the writer he is
today. Use details from the article to support your answer. Be sure to include the
following information:

• describe his experiences

• explain how his experiences shaped him as a writer
• use details from the article to support your answer
Check your writing for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.