This morning the announcement was made that Walter Dean Myers is the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Myers follows in the footsteps of Katherine Paterson and Jon Scieszka.
Check out the School Library Journal's (SLJ) interview with Myers about his new position. In the SLJ interview, Myers states that "Reading is not an Option!" will be his platform.
The role of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature is sponsored by the Library of Congress's Center for the Book and the Children's Book Council. The purpose of the position is to raise awareness of life-long literacy and education. For more about the position, Myers' qualifications, and the sponsors of the position, check out this article on the Children's Book Council website.
Here is a short clip of Myers talking about his mother's influence on his becoming a reader:
Here is another video of Christopher Myers talking about his father, Walter Dean Myers:
Walter Dean Myers at Who Will Speak For The Child?:
Congratulations Walter Dean Myers - You will be a fabulous Ambassador!
I think I will make a trip to the library today and checked out some of the books from Walter that I haven't read.
