Walter Dean Myers (born Walter Milton Myers; August 12, 1937 – July 1, 2014) was an American novelist. He wrote children's books and young adult literature. He wrote over one hundred books including picture books and non-fiction. He won the Coretta Scott King Award for African-American authors five times. His works inlcuded "Hoops" (1983), "Fallen Angels" (1988) and "Monster" (1999).