Walter Dean Myers discovered at an early age that books could take him to places beyond his neighborhood. In this exclusive video interview with Reading Rockets, Walter Dean Myers talks about the impact learning to read had on him and why it’s important for him to tell of the urban African American experience, particularly in his books for older readers.

In January 2012, Myers was named the third National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress. His platform: Reading Is Not an Option.

Susan Meddaugh is the author and illustrator of the charming Martha Speaks series as well as other animal-centric stories like Cinderella’s Rat and the original fairy tale The Witch’s Walking Stick. Her books are loved by kids and their parents for their lively, expressive illustrations, insight into what our pets are really thinking, and quirky humor. 

Sneed B. Collard III is the author of more than 30 children’s books about science, nature, and the environment. With a background in biology, Collard introduces aspects of the natural world to children in a way that is accessible. His book topics range from beaks to wings to cloud forests to animal dads. Through his books and school visits, Collard encourages young people to see science as an integrated part of their lives — and not as some complicated school subject removed from day-to-day life. “If I’ve achieved anything in my career,” he says, “it’s the hope that I’ve written books that are being picked up by people who have never picked up a science book before.”

Ahoy, mateys! Meet award-winning writer, poet, and stealth pirate Mary Quattlebaum, whose 2011 book, Pirate vs. Pirate, is a blustery adventure pitting Mean Mo against Bad Bart to determine who has the most impressive pirate skills (cannonball tossing! hardtack eating!). Other titles include Jo MacDonald Saw a Pond, with its celebration of nature through rhythm, wordplay, and onomatopoeia; the Jackson Jones series, spirited and true-to-life stories about a 10-year-old boy (Jackson) and his urban neighborhood community; and many other books for young children and teens. Huzzah!