From: Sugoodman at aol.com <Sugoodman>
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:05:15 EDT

 
  In a message dated 6/13/2007 2:26:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time, A.Hendon at BrooklynPublicLibrary.org writes:

As for the decrease in non-fiction (particularly science) off publisher
>lists: "One reason is that kids are doing homework using the internet
for their research instead of books."--this is an area of serious concern for
>librarians as well as teachers.

I find the decrease in nonfiction disturbing. On the one hand, we are told that boys, especially, may read nonfiction where they don't/won't read fiction. On the other hand, there seem to be fewer "fun" nonfiction titles, especially for teen readers.

As some who writes nonfiction for children exclusively, I can't agree with you more. Another huge problem for nonfiction is that Barnes and Noble and Borders won't buy much of it, even titles that seem both fun and commerically viable. I've spoken to many editors who say that once even great nonfiction picture books are shelved in the nonfiction section, it's the kiss of death. How do we deal with that? One way some major houses are dealing with it is by cutting way, way back.

  It's too bad. Relatively new national awards like the Siebert are beginning to help people see that nonfiction involves creativity as well as good information. And I see a lot of interesting, beautiful stuff coming out. But without the budgets in schools and the access in stores...
  While I was writing this, Marc Aronson announced his nonfiction blog. Congrats! It will be great to have someone bring more attention to the genre.
  Susan Goodman
  Susan Goodman 5 Oakview Ter. Jamaica Plain MA 02130 617-522-0158 www.susangoodmanbooks.com



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Received on Wed 13 Jun 2007 03:05:15 PM CDT