A New Market for Writers; Test Your Wings and Fly

As an educator, I have found that elementary students (K-5), are turned on by non-fiction books. Children are naturally curious about the world. The best way to take advantage of that curiosity is to provide young people with stories about real heroes past and present, and help them to discover the world around them.

Kingfisher Publications and the New York Times have announced an agreement to publish a line of non-fiction books for young readers ten to fourteen years of age. I would like to take that one step further by suggesting non-fiction books be published for children four to nine years of age.

Non-fiction books for K-3 grade levels are desperately needed, especially at this stage of reading development. At this age their minds are absorbent little sponges. I have found that the 4-9 age group enjoys anything that has to do with current affairs, science, technology, culture, sports, design, and food because these are all areas in which they can relate.

It is important to foster curiosity about the world among young people as early on as possible. Publishers are beginning to recognize the importance of the non-fiction genre as it applies to the educational process. I am encouraged both as a teacher and as a writer to see Kingfisher Publications (a Houghton Mifflin Co. imprint) and the New York Times embarking on such a noteworthy, and I know profitable, venture. The line of non-fiction books for young readers (10-14 year olds) was launched in early 2006.

There is an untapped market for four to nine year-olds. The non-fiction, young reader genre is a great writing opportunity for all of you who write children and young adult literature. Contact a publisher via a query letter stating a need for informational text for the 4-9 year olds and see what happens. Test your wings and fly!

Copyright © 2006 by Pamela Beers. All rights reserved.

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