The most difficult idea to reconcile in war is the notion that anything is going to be solved by killing a stranger, or in risking your life for a cause anchored in some distant political arena.
Walter Dean MyersRead
Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Books convey important values and reflect shared human experiences. Lack of representation in literature raises concerns about inclusivity and equality.
Walter Dean Myers emphasizes the role of books in conveying values and exploring shared human experiences. He highlights the concern that when certain groups of children are not represented in literature, it sends a message of exclusion, potentially affecting their sense of belonging and self-worth, and stresses the importance of diverse representations in children's literature.
Themes
BooksValuesRepresentationEducationInclusivityHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture about the importance of diversity in education, a teacher might use this quote to highlight why inclusive literature matters.
More from Walter Dean Myers
All quotes →I remember one time being told I could not play in a basketball game at the College of William and Mary because I was black, even though I was playing with a United States Army team.
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As a writer, I absorb stories, allow them to churn within my own head and heart - often for years - until I find a way of telling them that fits both my time and temperament.
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We need to tell young people that America was built by men and women of all colors and that the future of this country is dependent on the participation of all of our citizens.
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Yeah, that's funny, huh?...Something hurts you real bad and you get used to it. Like being hurt becomes part of who you are.
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We’re suggesting that [kids are] missing something if they don’t read but, actually, we’re condemning kids to a lesser life. If you had a sick patient, you would not try to entice them to take their medicine. You would tell them, ‘Take this or you’re going to die.’ We need to tell kids flat out: reading is not optional.
Walter Dean MyersRead
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