I wonder if anyone else is interested in the difference in categories between books and movies. It seems to me that the main category that’s in movies but missing in books is “Family” and the main one missing in from movies is “YA.” I wonder why this is? Because reading tends to be more a solo venture, not done by the whole family at once?

I wish that there were a prominent “Family” category in books.

Some reasons I think this would be good:
a) Families might find themselves more inspired to read books together for mutual enjoyment. In our disjointed society I think that families (whatever form they take) could use a bit more social expectation for bonding time. We still talk about “Family Movie Nights” why not “Family Reading Nights”.
My family read together every night when I was growing up. (This was one of the best parts of my childhood.)

b) Even if these books were not read out loud together, the book buyer in the house could get something which would then be passed around to multiple members of the household. My family all really enjoyed the “Artemis Fowl” series, (which is a romping children’s series with masculine energy, for anyone looking for that sort of thing). When the library got a new one, we’d all eagerly take turns reading it.

c) This category could give writers a broader scope for character ages and themes in books. I’m sure a lot of kids are dealing with a huge range of issues vicariously through the adults in their lives anyways.

Please note: I’m not against YA or anything. Also, I’m aware that there are obvious problems with this: such as, um, the issue of inventing a new book genera in the first place.
And then trying to write to please everyone’s tastes? Probably not possible (although, yes, JK Rowling has giving it a good go).

-Megan

And Bongo, at this point in summer vacation, I would be willing to let Mary borrow my children for lab research for a week…or two. : )

As a writer who writes (and successfully sells, for what it’s worth) YA books with male main characters, I’ll admit that even though my publisher pushed BREAK as a boy book, 95% of the letters I get are from girls.

It’s frustrating.

When my MG with a boy MC went on sub, also, I heard a lot how excited several publishers were at the prospect of a boy-centered MG…apparently they want more. But I never had any trouble subbing boy YA, either.

This comment makes me sound like a jerk, I think. I promise I’m not.

My own boys (10 and 12) love to read, but they have short patience with internal monologue slice of life books–even when they are highly praised books with male MCs. Instead they are always on the lookout for funny books where Stuff Happens. Think of video games marketed to boys–they aren’t about The Meaning of Life. They’re about putting the boy in a situation where his wits/courage/powers are needed to win against terrible odds. I can’t help but think that we’re overlooking some of the basic things boys look for in books. Also, sometimes there are books that fit this category–but the covers are definitely girl covers.

I am really hoping for more boy books in the near future–I really don’t want my boys’ reading options to dry up!