1937: Walter Dean Myers is born on August 12 in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
1940s: Myers moves with his family to Harlem, New York City, where he grows up.
1954: Myers's father passes away when he is 17 years old.
1955: Myers enlists in the United States Army.
1957: Myers is honorably discharged from the military and returns to New York City. He pursues a career as an editor for a publishing company.
1975: Myers publishes his first novel, "Where Does the Day Go?", which is a coming-of-age story about a young African-American boy growing up in Harlem.
1981: Myers's novel "Fallen Angels", which tells the story of a group of Vietnamese refugees who are resettled in the United States, is published and receives critical acclaim. It wins the Newbery Honor Award and the Coretta Scott King Award.
1982: Myers's novel "The Outside Shot", which follows the life of a young basketball player from Harlem who dreams of playing professionally, is published.
1984: Myers's novel "Scorpions", which explores the experiences of a young gang member in Harlem, is published. It wins the Coretta Scott King Award.
1988: Myers's novel "The Mouse Rap", which tells the story of a young graffiti artist who is trying to reform his life, is published.
1999: Myers's novel "Monster", which follows the story of a 16-year-old boy who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, is published. It wins the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, Printz Honor Award, as well as the Coretta Scott King Award.
2000s: Myers continues to write and publish numerous books, including "Handbook for Boys", "On My Own", and "Lockdown".
2014: Walter Dean Myers passes away on July 1 at the age of 76.
Throughout his career, Myers writes over 100 books, many of which explore the lives and challenges of African-American teenagers, particularly those growing up in urban environments. He receives numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Award, and the Printz Award. Myers's books are widely read and appreciated for their honest portrayal of the realities faced by young people and for their messages of hope and resilience.