Slate Article: Why the “decline by 9” in kids pleasure reading is getting more pronounced
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Good insight for those interested in the middle-grade book market:
https://slate.com/culture/2024/05/kids-reading-fun-books-decline-by-nine-crisis.html -
Yeah, I can see screens being a influence on how people get their information as well as potential book recommendations. But also sometimes I found out interesting books online and purchased them. Often they are graphic novels or other kinds of art books like photography and crafting stuff. Yeah interesting phenomenon.
I have a messy website: https://ChengduLittleA.com
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@willicreate hey thanks for sharing this, wouldn’t have seen it otherwise.
I skimmed through it now but want to do a better read through later. Seems like it would be helpful in coming up with areas to try and focus on in order to help make a story that kids would enjoy. Seems like right now the subject matter should be on the lighter side and maybe more of an escape as opposed to being agenda driven or too close to reality?
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@Yiming-Wu The article made me really think about my childhood and how I only read books my friends were reading (kind of also Reading Rainbow). So, recommendations via TikTok shouldn't be a much of a surprise as it is.
It seems ironic how some of us want to create media for children, but forget core values children have.
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@willicreate It's interesting that I don't actually do that a lot. I got a lot of my reading connections from technical magazines like on planes and vehicles etc and I was somehow never interested on what my other classmates are reading
but that could be just myselfI have a messy website: https://ChengduLittleA.com
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@Norman-Morana Glad other people are finding the article interesting.
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I thought the article could have taken a deeper dive as to why young people are interested in Spider-Man stories and misc. manga series. Most of these stories are about developing friendships, understand people of different backgrounds and ability, coming to terms with generational pain, etc. I think this is informative for children book illustrators: produce more friend group scenes, scenes of empathy, show comradery, or tension between families.
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How do you mean "too close to reality"? The article mentions a segment of readers seeking books about tragedies, highlighting Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Makes sense; many families were affected by these events. I wonder if readers are seeking answers or empathy for pain their family may be experiencing.
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@Yiming-Wu I 'read' a lot of cross-sectional books. Seeing the structure and the people inside was cool stuff. Would I try to draw something like that myself...
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@willicreate On the deeper dive as to why people like spider-man and similar stories, they for sure could have gone deeper. It didn't seem like they had many solutions.
My "too close to reality" comment might be more leaning from my own preferences. I didn't see the part about tragedy in the article, though. I did see the question "Can you publish Bridge to Terabithia in the age of Captain Underpants." The mentions of captain underpants and Harry Potter being the last big big hits made me think that a story with the extraordinary happening would be more enjoyable for readers. I wouldn't find it surprising in the way that this article does, that a niche topic isn't finding mainstream success.
This is really my own opinion and the kinds of stories I hope to make. I'm not someone that wants to dwell on the hardships of reality. For myself reading is an escape, and I know it is for a lot of readers. I grew up when the Harry Potter and Captain Underpants books were first coming out and they were favorites. I liked the idea that something could rescue you from your situation.
I don't follow everything that comes out these days so it really isn't fair for me to say, but a lot of what makes noise seems to be not very interesting or is trying to push a narrative. I personally think that the best thing we can do for kids is bring something fun to the table.
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@Norman-Morana Ah, got it. I've never read the Bridge to Terabithia; just glanced at a summary a few minutes ago. Talking about imagination and worlds in mind's eye isn't going to appeal to the modern audience. I'm just guessing, but if they change some ideas to be more contemporary, like replace imagination to virtual reality or multiverse there would be broader appeal.
When I was a kid, I read for reasons different from yours. I was attracted to 'real facts' about occult, aliens, hauntings, etc. I guess as a kid there is an appeal to learn truths the adults are keeping from you. It's also fun to exchange supernatural gossip with peers. From what my young cousins tell me, they learn about creepypasta online. That counts as reading, right?
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@willicreate Oh that is a good point for Terabithia and could be the case. My thought was more along the lines of the story dealing with death. Things do go in cycles, so now I do wonder if there isn't much of a place for imagination right now. Like how Sputnik put an end to Woody's Round Up lol.
Also a good point with kids having different interests. I've heard it brought up a couple times that there may not be another big mainstream thing that seemingly everyone will be into. With access to the internet and the ability to find your own special interest communities it will be difficult for an across the board hit. I don't think that's a bad thing.
Who hasn't been sucked into a good creepypasta here and there lol
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@willicreate I disagree that you'd have to change it to virtual world to make it appeal for modern audiences. There are still plenty of books being published about fantastical worlds and imagination just like there used to be stories about virtual reality 20+ years ago. I see the comment referring more to the fact that it's much harder to sell long novels dealing with difficult sad themes to middle schoolers nowadays because the market is leaning more towards shorter lighthearted formats (which makes sense imo).
And it's so true there are so many different types of readers even between kids. I loved reading about paranormal as a kid even books which weren't dedicated to kids hehe. But I also loved fantastical stories and adventures, but also quieter stories as well and I read a lot of mysteries growing up, for some reason. Now as an adult I haven't read one in years.
