RIP, Walter Dean Myers

Critically acclaimed YA author Walter Dean Myers died this week at the age of 76. Myers (whose motto was apparently "Reading is not optional") served as the 2012/2013 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and campaigned tirelessly against the extreme racial imbalance featured in children' literature, writing several books about young, black protagonists dealing with issues like gang activity and drug addiction. Our sympathy goes out to his friends and loved ones.