Myers's writings are often labeled as targeting young African American male readers, which is an overly narrow view of their appeal. Monster addresses universal themes that resonate with people from any ethnic background, offering valuable insights into the human condition. In Scorpions (refer to separate entry), the main characters, Jamal and Tito, belong to different ethnic groups—African American and Puerto Rican, respectively. This novel, much like Monster, prominently features a gun and a shooting, and it delves into complex moral issues that drive much of the narrative. Similar to Steve, Jamal and Tito also make poor decisions regarding criminal activities.

Bishop, Rudine Sims. Presenting Walter Dean Myers. Boston: Twayne, 1990. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Myers's life and literary works up to the 1990s.

Brown, Jennifer M. "Walter Dean Myers Unites Two Passions." Publishers Weekly 246, no. 12 (March 22, 1999): 45. Highlights how Myers blends storytelling with vintage photographs in his latest books.

Carton, Debbie. Booklist 95, no. 17 (May 1, 1999): 1587. In her review of Monster, Carton states, "The tense drama of the courtroom scenes will enthrall readers, but it is the thorny moral questions raised in Steve's journal that will endure in readers' memories."

Lane, R. D. "'Keepin' It Real': Walter Dean Myers and the Promise of African American Children's Literature." African American Review 32, no. 1 (Spring 1998): 125-38. Discusses how Myers's books inspire African American children to think creatively about their lives. "Myers's fictional characters are intended to advance a singular voice derived from collective nonfictional experiences tempered by an urban landscape."

Micklos, John. "Author Walter Dean Myers Stresses Realism in His Writing." Reading Today 8, no. 4 (February-March 1991): 38. Explores Myers's motivations and his target audience.

Myers, Walter Dean. "Let Us Celebrate the Children." Horn Book 66 (January-February 1990): 46-47. Myers emphasizes the importance of children and the need to improve their lives.

Raymond, Allen. "Walter Dean Myers: A 'Bad Kid' Who Makes Good." Teaching K-8 (October 1989): 53-55. Provides insight into Myers's perspectives on his work and his audience.