Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?
Walter Dean MyersI know I'm tired of thinking about what I should have done yesterday. I know I'm just tired. If I knew what to do with my life, how to fix it up, I would have done it a long time ago. You can't dig that? You think I want to live like I'm somebody's throwaway?
Walter Dean MyersWeโre suggesting that [kids are] missing something if they donโt read but, actually, weโre condemning kids to a lesser life. If you had a sick patient, you would not try to entice them to take their medicine. You would tell them, โTake this or youโre going to die.โ We need to tell kids flat out: reading is not optional.
Walter Dean Myers