Six Authors Who "Write For Kids"
More often than I'd like, I pick up a book from the kids' section in the bookstore, read the back and go, "Hey, this looks half-decent." And then I buy it and waste ten dollars. Because back covers don't tell you about mature content speckled through the story, and they don't tell you a thing about the actual writing quality.
Additionally, I get the whole "don't judge a book by its cover" thing, but some of the book covers in the kids' section are really ridiculous lately. It's all this tacky, animated-looking stuff.
It is my opinion that kids deserve a lot more than that; kids are smarter than that. It's rare that you come across a writer who actually caters to kids' imaginations with wholesome literature kids can enjoy. Literature written not for the occasional adult reader who will understand the slipped-in mature connotations, not for indoctrination, not a lesson badly-disguised as a children's story. These are the kinds of stories we hold on to for the rest of our lives.
Here are six children's writers who come to mind.
N.D. Wilson:
This guy.... N.D. Wilson writes such great kid stories. They're especially great "boy books." They're books about adventure, and kids--smart kids, scared kids, kids with magic powers and handicapped kids. They all do great things. They all find inner strength and strive to do what is right.
Not only are the characters great, but the plots of his stories are fantastic. Never does it feel like he's repeating himself (cough...Rick Riordan...cough). Never does he slip mature content into his stories. The Legend of Sam Miracle, Leepike Ridge and the 100 Cupboards series are favorites at our house. He's honestly just a great storyteller and writer.
Jeanne Birdsall:
Loved her stuff ten years ago, love it now. The characters of The Penderwicks series don't just grow up with the reader--she holds on to the age group she initially started writing for. Even in The Penderwicks in Spring when the older girls are in college and late high school, the story is told by young Batty and Ben so that we still see the older girls, but it's not a story revolving around and being told by a 17-year-old. I personally think it's pretty special how Jeanne Birdsall managed that.
We also see a lot of issues in her books that normal kids have to deal with, besides the crazy adventures the Penderwicks go on. We see Skye struggle to control her temper and pride, Jane strive to become a writer, Rosalind fall head-over-heels in love with the 18-year-old gardener, and Batty's relationship with her dog, stuffed animals and butterfly wings. As the books go on, we see deeper issues the characters struggle with: their father remarrying, the loss of a beloved family pet, Jeffrey's lack of a father, Batty having to deal with guilt and her mother's death.
Not only are Jeanne Birdsall's stories and characters fantastic, but she's a great writer.
Cressida Cowell:
I just read her How to Train Your Dragon series recently, but from my younger siblings' love of these books, I imagine that they appeal to a wide range of ages. I know I enjoyed them. The characters are quirky and relatable and the whole series is hilarious, but it's not all slapstick humor--there's darkness as well as light. There is real conflict.
There are some valuable lessons learned, as well. These aren't "shove it in your face" lessons or morals to the story, but lessons Hiccup learns along his journeys. Lessons like "love never dies," "what is within is more important than what is without" and "the best is not always the most obvious." Lessons which, in the end, help him to survive and save the people he loves.
Cornelia Funke:
Cornelia Funke is the first author I bring up when asked for a book recommendation. She's an absolutely brilliant storyteller. Her characters are genuine and realistic. The scenery is beautiful and mostly based in Italy. The descriptions and use of metaphor are absolutely stunning.
Some of her books (the Inkworld Trilogy and the Mirrorworld series) are clearly for older kids, and they're fantastic. But her standalone novels can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages, no censoring necessary--Thief Lord, Igraine the Brave and Dragon Rider especially come to mind.
Suzanne Collins:
Okay, The Hunger Games is great in my opinion, but obviously that's not suited for everyone. That's really not a kids' book, as it's targeted more for a young adult audience. But Gregor the Overlander is. Suzanne Collins' Underland Chronicles is totally written for kids--there's no mature content to worry about other than a bit of violence. Adults love this series too, simply because it is so well-written.
We have Gregor, your typical 12-year-old in NYC. He's thrown into situations where things are expected of him--impossible things, like defeating evil giant rats and wielding a sword and saving the whole of the Underland. His stories are adventurous and fun and full of memorable characters with dry humor. What little boy doesn't want to be a sword-wielding Warrior? And after reading the Underland Chronicles, what little boy wouldn't want to ride on the back of a giant bat, speeding through caverns? Readers can relate to Gregor as he has to take responsibility for his younger sisters and as his love for his parents sends him on many a journey across the vast, cavernous Underland.
Trenton Lee Stewart:
We often refer to Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society series as "intelligent," because that's the best way we can describe his style of writing. One thing he absolutely does not do is underestimate kids. From his intricately-woven plots to his mind-boggling puzzles, Trenton Lee Stewart caters to the minds of children who love to think and unravel mysteries.
While long, his books are not dense, nor do they include any mature content. They are written for kids, and they're about kids--funny, brilliant, handy kids who solve brilliant puzzles and problems. Reynie is hard-working and determined, Kate is a resourceful acrobat, Constance is stubborn as can be and Sticky has photographic memory. We see a wide range of personalities and talents throughout the series, which readers will surely relate to.