An interesting read for the children's books crowd. While the piece might be very US-centred, it reflects a similar pattern this side of the water. I have some thoughts on this trend, based on 30 years in the business. 1/20 teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2023/10/18/a...
Teen Librarian Karen Jensen discusses the current issues in middle grade and young adult publishing and their impact on reading and libraries
I do a lot of events for kids, and I normally start by asking them what they like to read (and that's ANY type of reading, ANY format). For that key age of 8-12, I used to hear a good range of books, but it's been getting smaller. Lately, I get a lot of Wimpy Kid & Dog Man. 2/20
As an MG author I found this enlightening and disheartening in equal measure.
Interesting thoughts Oisín and certainly bears consideration.
One thing I feel the article missed out was Manga - that's HUGE in the 11+ age group in the UK, and I bet in the states too. That's where so many kids are going - online and in physical books. That doesn't help the uk publishing industry much cos it's really an export market, not translation market.
I don't think MG has been ageing up here in the way they're talking about in the states but book length def an issue. And ditto book bans not having the same impact but the lack of 13-15 books definitely in play.
Fascinating article. I don't know what the sales trends are on this side of the atlantic at the moment, would be interesting to compare. But a lot of those pressures are the same (paper/distribution etc).
Off to read! And then I'll be back!
It’s one I’ve been thinking a lot about too. 🤔 I did all the things. Read to them every night. Gave them the classics. Gave them the best of the new. Introduced *all* the comics. They loved them. . And my kids still stopped reading. Something new is needed.