OMG. So generic characters instead of diverse ones? Bring on more Dogman? Comics may be fun, but this is what they want to take up the majority of the space on MG shelves? Comic books kids can read in 10 minutes?

Is this something a specific publisher said? All I'm hearing is that MG is moving to short illustrated fun books, nothing heavy or emotional, preferably GN since everyone has short attention spans. When kids get to HS all of a sudden they will be able to read longer serious books lol.

Maybe there's some hope. I just read that there's some movement back toward traditional YA instead of YA that's close to NA or aimed at adults

I'm an agented MG writer who recently wrote a YA. Mine's contemporary though so I don't think the market will be any kinder to it than it has been to my MG! I think speculative could have a better chance. Anyone want to chime in?

Insightful column. It's exactly what I see as a teacher and the question is when and if we can move the pendulum back. There's been studies showing how the move to tech and the emphasis on tests/ short reading passages is impacting our kids in a negative way so that's a hopeful sign.

Trump doesn't read history books or listen to career public servants who have studied the region for years. He just does what he wants on a whim, thinking it will make him look good. It's all just a game to him which he's made very clear from his comments & memes

While my students LOVE graphic novels, they LOVE bigger books too when given the guidance and encouragement to tackle them. Kids in my 5th-7th grade classes read Alan Gratz, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Wings of Fire. And they really got into The Giver and Liars Society thru guided reading.

RIGHT THERE WITH YOU

Got it. In my classroom, kids read and talk about books. But I'm at a school where I determine my own curriculum. I'm aware of the curriculum focused on short passages instead of books & Science of Reading. Am starting to hear some pushback. What are publishers doing to get new books out there?

Can you explain why the school & library market is hurting? Because kids will only read graphic novels? Because of smart phones? Because schools don't encourage or require the reading of books anymore? Is anything being done to move the pendulum back in the other direction????

Reminds me of The Giver which I'm reading with my 6th grade class. "Precision of language, Jonas! You of all people should know the word love is obsolete."

We cannot use robots to teach communication skills instead of interacting with our own kids.

Happy Book Birthday to What We Have Tamed! You will love this beautiful sci-fi that features adventure, romance, and suspense along with asking important questions about how we treat the animals who inhabit the planet with us.
www.amazon.com/What-Have-Ta...

Christy, I'm not sure if Jason will see this posting but I am learning a lot after follow janetfox@substack.com. There's a great conversation about how to re-release your book after the rights have been reverted. A lot of authors are also considering self-publishing books that die on sub!

If you're animal-lover, care about the earth, or are looking for sci-fi with a lot of heart, this book is for you!

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OMG. What are we doing here? We need to go back to paper/pencil. Is ANYONE paying attention???

Favorite movie of all time

⛪️ Ultimate Fu@king Church ⛪️

Bruce Springsteen honors the brave folks of Minneapolis.

I don't worship celebrities or have heroes but I do have folks I look up to. Mr. Springsteen is high on the top of that very short list.

Thanks for offering! Sending you a DM!

Any words of wisdom you can pass on to those of us who weren't there?

When we allow students to think & write & share their opinions, when we show students their voice matters, when our expectation is that doing hard work leads to results that mean something....then that is when true learning occurs. It does not take place when AI replaces their brains & their voice

One of the greats. Filled the world with music, his goal was to spread joy and love. His songs live on.

Couldn't watch it. I had this bad feeling all weekend and even though he's been so good about not letting the pressure get to him I know this is not what he wants for his last Nationals. But it doesn't take away from everything he's given to the sport and the legacy he'll leave behind.💔

"Harold, that was your last date."

Carpe Diem.

Thanks, Christy! Reach out if you're looking for feedback to bring out the best in the story you want to tell. Let's see if we can work out something in 2026 that's in your budget! mspitzerfranklin.wixsite.com/mysite/home

Hoping for all good things in 2026! To celebrate, I'm offering writers the chance to set their own rates for developmental edits. If you're looking for feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out! Repost to spread the word! #kidlit #MG #YA
mspitzerfranklin.wixsite.com/mysite/home

I teach MS and students write papers in class. But what about those schools pushing AI tools? How do kids use tools to brainstorm, organize, and proofread and still write their own papers? Grammarly is supposed to proofread but it literally rewrites your sentences. What happens to the learning?

I agree with @lutzfernandez.bsky.social. There has to be some writing in class, steps of planning and revising that students have to turn in. If you're suspicious, ask the student about their process and what they learned. If they haven't learned anything, they used AI

Thanks for taking the time to respond! What's your advice for writers who write contemporary MG or YA? Do you see anything changing, or are editors just putting out backlist/GN for MG, thrillers for YA?

But you said they're not taking on YA contemporary. Are you selling it's easier to sell MG contemporary? Because I've heard it's extremely hard to sell MG contemporary right now.