Bad Boy: A Graphic Memoir

Gr 8 Up–Stemming from his love of writing and reading comics at an early age, the late Walter Dean Myers (1937–2014) became a legend like many of his role models, but only after facing multiple barriers to success. On top of racism and financial difficulties, he was called a “bad boy,” a label that followed him in his youth. Anyabwile’s use of sepia-toned panels with sporadic areas of color allow readers to feel like they’ve stepped back in time as they follow young Walter navigating his childhood. He found solace in reading and eventually writing, but his family and peers didn’t understand how literature brought him to life. His mother worried about comic books encouraging bad behavior, while other kids made fun of his hobby, leading him to keep it a secret. But that didn’t stop him; reading and writing eventually led to a world of like-minded people, where Myers was respected and could share his stories.