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We need to tell kids flat out: reading is not optional.

I was a good student, but a speech impediment was causing problems. One of my teachers decided that I couldn't pronounce certain words at all. She thought that if I wrote something, I would use words I could pronounce. I began writing little poems. I began to write short stories, too.

From Walter Dean Myers

People still try to sell books that way - as 'books can take you to foreign lands.' We've given children this idea that reading and books are a nice option, if you want that kind of thing. I hope we can get over that idea.

From Walter Dean Myers

I began going to juvenile prisons. And some of these kids face some very, very tough lives. How do they handle these lives? Do they even know that if their life is bad, that they're still OK? Do they know that? Do they know that someone is thinking the same way that they're thinking?

From Walter Dean Myers

I'll never live to write all the stories I have in my head.

From Walter Dean Myers

So many organizations have a mentoring arm, but they don't really do it. Their idea of mentoring a kid is giving them general advice. But what they need to do is read with children.

From Walter Dean Myers

To fight for one's country, to offer one's very life to promote the well being of the United States, is truly a noble undertaking. But so is the vigilance of the citizen who carefully examines our leaders to see if political problems are being solved by wars simply because this seems to be the easiest solution.

From Walter Dean Myers

I admired the work ethic of the cowboys I read about. The idea of these young people taking on this much responsibility was impressive. I would like modern readers to have an appreciation of this.

From Walter Dean Myers

I am very much interested in getting parents to read to children, and trying to get people mentoring children. If I can do both I'll be happy.

From Walter Dean Myers

There is a crisis involving reading in certain communities.

From Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers

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