97 pages • 3 hours read
Walter Dean MyersBad Boy: A Memoir
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2001A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers chronicles his early years growing up in a racially mixed, working-class family in 1940s and '50s Harlem. Myers details his childhood struggles with a speech impediment, school challenges, and family financial difficulties, but his passionate love for reading and writing leads him to eventually overcome these obstacles, enlisting in the Army and later becoming a successful writer. The memoir includes instances of bullying, physical altercations, and encounters with a man engaged in dangerous activities.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers has been praised for its honest and poignant portrayal of the author's challenging youth. Readers appreciate its insightful reflection on race, education, and identity, although some mention its dense writing style. The memoir provides valuable lessons but may not captivate all audiences equally.
Who Should Read Bad Boy: A Memoir?
A reader who would enjoy Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers typically appreciates coming-of-age stories marked by personal struggle and resilience. Fans of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls or I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou will find Myers’ poignant exploration of identity and triumph appealing.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
970L