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kevinhendricks's review against another edition
3.0
I guess it’s appropriate that a memoir from a YA and children’s author only covers his life until age 17. It’s interesting and engaging, but I was itching for more. He joined the army as a 17-year-old in 1954, months after the Brown vs. Board of Education. I can only imagine the 1960s civil rights era was formative. His childhood was fascinating, but I’d love to hear more about his transition into writing.
hrmason's review against another edition
5.0
Straight-forward memoir about his struggles with school, race and growing up. Great read for boys, esp. those who are trying to rise above something.
mylibrarybooks's review against another edition
5.0
I first heard about this book from an article about a group of students who started a book club based around it (which I loved and thought was wonderful). And I'm taking a YA class this semester, so I thought this would be a perfect fit. It was. The writing was straightforward, but exciting and even magical in its way. It was never stuffy, and I felt like I could relate to it, even tho I've had almost zero of the same experiences. I would encourage a wide range of readers to pick this up for sure.
rebmartin31's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book as part of the volunteer book club I participate in at a juvenile detention facility in my local area. I found a few surprises in this book--like how Walter was recommended Camus' The Stranger by one of his high school teachers, and was given Noh plays to put on at his school. So nice (maybe even a little bittersweet) to see public school access to literature, art and culture! Doesn't feel like that today. [Please politely correct me if I don't know what I'm talking about in this regard.] Also, I'm such a youngin' (25) I don't know what an "A&P" is. A quick Google search tells me it was an old grocery store chain. I'm from Washington State--maybe we never had them out here. It's like that time I asked my grandmother (born in 1935) what bobby socks were.
Overall this book gives a lot of great insight in how to understand and empathize with race and class issues in urban communities, especially as seen by/as they affect young black males. Also valuable is just how clearly (straight) white male achievement/excellence/superiority is emphasized to the exclusion and minimization of everything else (e.g. black history, art/culture), and how unhealthy and damaging the "masculine" ideal (i.e. toxic masculinity) is. While much has changed since Walter's childhood, much has also stayed the same or even gotten worse, or is at risk of regressing. At least the concept of representation seems to be gaining traction in our national cultural/media awareness.
Lastly, some of the book's setting is close to where Columbia University is in New York, where I will be going this fall to start a Masters in Teaching degree. I'll be bringing this book along with me!
Overall this book gives a lot of great insight in how to understand and empathize with race and class issues in urban communities, especially as seen by/as they affect young black males. Also valuable is just how clearly (straight) white male achievement/excellence/superiority is emphasized to the exclusion and minimization of everything else (e.g. black history, art/culture), and how unhealthy and damaging the "masculine" ideal (i.e. toxic masculinity) is. While much has changed since Walter's childhood, much has also stayed the same or even gotten worse, or is at risk of regressing. At least the concept of representation seems to be gaining traction in our national cultural/media awareness.
Lastly, some of the book's setting is close to where Columbia University is in New York, where I will be going this fall to start a Masters in Teaching degree. I'll be bringing this book along with me!
delz's review against another edition
5.0
Bad Boy, Walter Dean Myers, Bad Boy was a poignant and humorous memoir of Walter Dean Myers childhood growing up in Harlem. He had an interesting upbringing that was probably exacerbated by the fact that he was an over active and highly intelligent child, but it certainly made for a great story. I was reading this book to a child with learning disabilities, someone who has never really shown an interest in reading and I can honestly say he loved this book.
popgoesbitty's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book 4 times, as I taught it to a handful of 8th grade classes. An excellent read for young adults and kids of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Attention grabbing, but retains its depth. Makes you laugh and cry with the turn of a page. Walter Dean Myers was a treasure.
popgoesbitty's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book 4 times, as I taught it to a handful of 8th grade classes. An excellent read for young adults and kids of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Attention grabbing, but retains its depth. Makes you laugh and cry with the turn of a page. Walter Dean Myers was a treasure.