June 21, 2026: Yes, I Still Read Children's Books

         That is printed on one of my most comfortable t-shirts.  It is also a fact of life for me. As an elementary school teacher, a Children’s Literature adjunct professor, and a middle grades author, my life is centered and anchored in children’s books.

         That is not to say that I do not read adult books, because I do. All the time. But half of the almost 100 books I read last year were children’s books. Not picture books, (I read those, but do not keep track of them on my reading log) but middle grades and young adult books.

         Much of my summer reading is also getting through the 15 books that will be the Battle of the Books titles for this next school year.  These are the books that our State Library Association selected for students for the next school year.  My focus is the 3^rdthrough 5^th grade titles.

Of the 15. I have read 8 so far. Some I have loved, some I have pushed myself through.  There are 3 that I keep putting off picking up because they are graphic novels and that is not a genre I typically enjoy reading. I have both laughed out loud and cried.  While some are from authors I already know and enjoy, some are authors I am only now discovering.  

What they all have in common though, is that they each illuminate a lived life experience of a young person. They contain themes and messages that resonate with the 8-12 year old crowd. And that is powerful stuff. Lighthearted themes like summer vacations, family traditions, and friendships. Important topics like cultural heritage, unique talents, and interesting perspectives.  Tough issues like homelessness, death, and divorce. And critical messages about resilience, compassion, justice, and possibilities.

In spite of the fact that my days are lived immersed in this middle grades’ world, I am still an adult in that world.  So, reading books that bring me into the experience of these young people, help me to better understand them.  And this gives me great hope.

Because what these books tell me is that young people do care about fairness. They care about justice and have great empathy.  And children’s book authors are able to capture that and give it a voice.  What a wonderful gift to the world these amazing authors are!