July 27, 2025- Grown Up Themes Kid' Books

“There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children’s book.”

That quote by Philip Pullman has been rattling around in my head lately.  I have been working my way through reading the 2025-26 list of Sunshine State Young Readers Association books put out every year by the Florida Association for Media Education.

These are the 15 books that will be the basis for the Battle of the Books Competition each year.  As the sponsor for our school’s Battle of the Books Team, I typically spend the summer getting as many of them read as I can.

I am more than half way through the list and I am really enjoying this year’s crop of books. Some more than others of course. But what is resonating with me is the themes that are present in this year’s books.

Some are typical themes in middle grades literature- fitting in, bullying, trust, finding your voice. Some are tougher themes like abandonment, family dynamics, death of a loved one, or chronic illness. There are even complex themes like product testing on animals, socio-economic divisions, and homelessness.

As a teacher, I always read the books with an eye toward my students and how they will approach and appreciate these topics.  As I read, I think about which students might really enjoy which books.  Which books might make great book studies, and which ones are perfect for a read aloud.

As an author, I love seeing how the writers embrace these very large and powerful themes in ways that are gentle, open, considerate, empathetic, and accessible. I am always impressed with how skillfully some writers can weave these themes into their story lines and their characters’ lives.  The artful way they can take a very challenging topic and frame it in a way that middle grades readers can understand and own.

To the middle grades writers out there, thank you for all you do to address “subjects too large for adult fiction”.

To the members of the Florida Association for Media Education, thank you for selecting such a wonderful group of books for this year.

To all of the teachers getting ready for another school year to start, thank you for making sure that our students have access to books!!!!!