When it comes to children’s literature, there are some formats, subjects, and genres that have always been popular and will probably be bestseller list staples for decades to come. Picture books, books that make children laugh, and fantasy stories are just some of these. However, publishing experts have identified several current trends in children’s literature that break the mold.
These are the current trends in children’s literature.
Survival stories: Among current trends in children’s literature, these have always been popular. But in the coming years, survival stories – made even trendier by survival stories for adults, films, and reality TV shows – will permeate children’s literature and keep kids hooked.
Science fiction: Books from the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Mayer and the Pulse series by Patrick Carman were both well-received in 2013 and in 2014. Expect more sci-fi in children’s books in coming years.
Bullying: Bullying is a big nationwide issue right now, and children’s book authors are becoming more skilled at weaving this topic into their story lines. From picture books to young adult stories, Josh Schneider’s The Meanest Birthday Girl to Scott Starkey’s How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying, bullying seems to be the biggest in current trends in children’s literature.
Tough female characters: The success of The Hunger Games (the novels and the movies) and its strong girl protagonist Katniss Everdeen set the tone for 2013 releases Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, Lawless by Jeffrey Salane, and Marie Lu’s Legend and Prodigy. Girl power and feminism are also current trends in children’s literature.
Adventures in the wild: Ecology and the environment are current trends in children’s literature and play big roles in many recent releases, from thrillers to science fiction and various other genres. Some of the best-loved children’s stories set in the wild that came out in the past year include Last Dogs: The Vanishing by Christopher Holt, Michael Spradlin’s Killer Species: Menace from the Deep, and Timothy J. Bradley’s Infestation.
Children’s books on the big screen: If 2013 was any indication, movies based on action-packed children’s and young adult literature will grace our screens again. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan and Ender’s Game by Scott Orson Card are just two of several books for young people that were turned into movies.
Satires of children’s books: These books aren’t for children, but they were inspired by children’s literature. One of the biggest trends in publishing today is parodies of children’s board books. Titles like Are You My Boyfriend? (riffed off of the popular Are You My Mother?), Goodnight iPad (a play on the classic Goodnight Moon), and Go the F--- to Sleep (based on It’s Time to Sleep, My Love) have all sold like hotcakes in recent years.
War: Just as with bullying, children’s book authors have recognized the importance of discussing war – another big global issue – and its causes, realities, and aftereffects. I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg by Lauren Tarshis was published by Scholastic in 2013.
Diversity: Cultural diversity in literature allows young readers to identify with the characters and to embrace their own roots and their own uniqueness. In recent years, children’s books such as Kristin Levine’s The Lions of Little Rock and Blue Balliett’s Hold Fast have explored these themes.
