Walter Dean Myers

I guess Gary Paulsen, Frances O'Roark Dowell and Walter Dean Myers are for me, the authors I can always count on.  Not just because they write so much, but also because they write so well.  Handbook for Boys was my latest WDM, on audio, read by Peter Francis James.  I kinda think that if Peter Francis James read the phone book, I would listen and enjoy.  He and Eric Conger are amazing.  Handbook for Boys is set in Harlem, like many of WDM's books and takes place mostly in a barbershop, run by Duke, a cool, smart older dude who has allowed Jimmy to work for him instead of going to juvie.  The barbershop is one of those places in the neighborhood where all kinds of folks hang out, get their hair cut and reflect.  Like a third-place kinda thing.  While working for Duke Jimmy learns a lot about life and choices.  It isn't a preachy book, I don't think.  And I just loved it.  Funny in places, too.  Classic WDM.  Recommended.