Walter Dean Myers was the New York Times bestselling author of Monster, the winner of the first Michael L. Printz Award; a former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature; and an inaugural NYC Literary Honoree. Myers received every single major award in the field of children's literature. He was the author of two Newbery Honor Books and six Coretta Scott King Awardees. He was the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults, a three-time National Book Award Finalist, as well as the first-ever recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.

"A moving tale of a kid who may have made a mistake but who still deserves the modest future he seeks. Refreshingly avoids cliche." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) "Masterful." -- Kirkus Reviews "Myers creates a nuanced, realistic portrait of a teen dealing with incarceration and violence. Myers gets his voice just right." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)