The more I write stories for young people, and the more…
““The more I write stories for young people, and the more young readers I meet, the more I'm struck by how much kids long to see themselves in stories. To see their identities and perspectives—their avatars—on the page. Not as issues to be addressed or as icons for social commentary, but simply as people who get to do cool things in amazing worlds. Yes, all the “issue” books are great and have a place in literature, but it's a different and wildly joyous gift to find yourself on the pages of an entertainment, experiencing the thrills and chills of a world more adventurous than our own. And when you see that as a writer, you quickly realize that you don't want to be the jerk who says to a young reader, “Sorry, kid. You don't get to exist in story; you're too different.” You don't want to be part of our present dystopia that tells kids that if they just stopped being who they are they could have a story written about them, too. That's the role of the bad guy in the dystopian stories, right? Given a choice, I'd rather be the storyteller who says every kid can have a chance to star.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Children crave seeing themselves as heroes in imaginative worlds, not just as subjects of social commentary.
In simple terms: Kids want to be protagonists in fun stories.
Key Takeaway
Write inclusive, adventurous tales for all kids.
Themes
representation
imagination
identity
storytelling
inclusion
Mood
hopeful
inspired
joyful
Type
literary
motivational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- classroom reading
- children's publishing
- author workshops
- library programs
Key Concepts
avatar theory
identity formation
narrative agency
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers balance representation with genre expectations?
- What stories have you read that made you feel seen?
A Different Perspective
Balancing social issues with pure entertainment can be challenging.