Myers has published short fiction, essays, and poetry in such disparate periodicals as the liberator, negro digest, mccalls, essence, espionage, and alfred hitchcocks mystery magazine. His novels about urban teens and the challenges they face have won him both a devoted readership and dozens of book awards. Who is the antagonist in scorpions by walter dean myers. August 12, 1937 july 1, 2014 was a writer of childrens books best known for young adult literature. Walter dean myers is a pioneer of young adult fiction.
Jamal hicks, 12, lives with his mother and younger sister in harlem. Walter dean myers was a national ambassador for young peoples literature. He frequently met with incarcerated teens in juvenile detention centers. Its diverse cast of characters grapple with poverty. Scorpions is a young adult novel by author walter dean myers. Pushed by the bully, dwayne, to fight, and nagged by the principal, mr. In the storys exposition we meet jamal and his sister sassy and their mamma. A novel 2015 walter dean myerss last novel, delivers a gripping story based on the life of a real dancer known as master juba, who lived in the nineteenth century. A novel it aint all for nothin the mouse rap patrol.
The book scorpions by walter dean myers is a realistic fiction. Scorpions is 25 years old, but the issues of poverty and violence make it a timeless powerful readsadly as relevant as ever. Teenage readers will be familiar with harsh events like these from headlines and tv reports. It is set in the early 90s in a large city with gangs, drugs and violence.
The scorpions are a guntoting harlem gang, and jamal hicks is about to become tragically involved with them in this authentic tale of the sacrifice of innocence in the inner city. The basic plot is that jamal has to get 1,000 dollars for his brothers appeal in court. Scorpions, a newbery honor book by national ambassador for young peoples literature walter dean myers, is celebrating its twentyfifth anniversary when it was first published in 1988, scorpions amazed readers. Scorpions is the seventh book that i have read that is by walter dean myers. Printz award, and is a recipient of the margaret a. After understanding its plot, well get to know the characters and. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Hes won newbery honors, coretta scott king awardhonors, the firstever michael l.
The main character is a 12 year old africanamerican boy named jamal. A versatile and prolific writer, walter dean myers also walter m. Walter dean myers 19372014 was an american writer of childrens books best known for young adult literature. He lives in jersey city, new jersey, with his family. This lesson introduces walter dean myers young adult novel, scorpions. Critics are divided on the subject of walter dean myers young adult novel, scorpions.
This book tells the story of jamaal, a 12 year old boy from the ghetto who has a tough life. A project for school about the book scorpions, with music and everything. Walter dean myers biography will help you with any book or any question. Author bio walter dean myers was the new york times bestselling author of monster, the winner of the first michael l. Walter dean myers biography life, family, children, name. Walter dean myers books, ebooks, audiobooks, biography. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The book tells the story of twelveyearold jamal hicks, an african american boy who is pressured into joining a harlem street gang. Scorpions, a newbery honor book by national ambassador for young peoples literature walter dean myers, is celebrating its twentyfifth anniversary. Myers brings a comples understanding to dealing with them. Scorpions by walter dean myers pdf free download ebook. Walter dean myers books list of books by author walter. We also get exposed to the storys rough urban setting.
Also by walter dean myers fiction autobiography of my dead brother national book award finalist dope sick the dream bearer game handbook for boys. Scorpions th you ut o you to help you get even more value out of this unit, wed like to offer 10 you an exclusive discount of off10 % more off the alreadydiscounted paperback. A tough childhood led him to writing and his school teachers would encourage him in this habit as a way to express himself. Walter dean myers audio books, best sellers, author bio. What is the conflict and resolution of the book scorpions. When it was first published in 1988, scorpions amazed readers. This lesson provides a variety of activities for students to become more knowledgeable on the book. The story of twelveyearold jamal, whose life changes drastically when. Approached to take randys place as head of his gang, the scorpions, jamal. On the one hand, its an authentic comingofage story. Buy scorpions by walter dean myers online at alibris. Walter dean myers this study guide consists of approximately 47 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of scorpions.
Jamal is trying to get his brother, randy, out of jail. An american soldier in vietnam jane addams childrens book award the righteous revenge of artemis bonner scorpions newbery honor book shooter. Printz award, he is considered one of the preeminent writers for children. Davidson, jamal is having a difficult time staying in school. His eightyplus titles include monster, scorpions, and a memoir of his own youth, bad boy. This engaging historical novel is based on the true story of the meteoric rise of an immensely talented young black dancer, william henry lane, who influenced todays tap, jazz, and step dancing. This newbery honor book will challenge young men to consider their own decisions as they come of age in a complex and often frustrating. Scorpions is a young adult comingofage novel written by walter dean myers and published in 1988. Randy is a 17yearold who is the leader of the scorpions, a local gang of drug dealers in new york city.
He wrote more than one hundred books including picture books and nonfiction, and was best known for young adult literature. Peter francis james, however, is not compelling, nor does he capture the listeners attention. His home life is not much better, with his mother working her fingers to the bone. Buy walter dean myers ebooks to read online or download in pdf or epub on your pc, tablet or mobile device.