http://blogs.slj.com/nonfictionmatters/2008/12/26/the-desolation-of-the-chains/ A School Library Journal Blog Sun, 05 Aug 2012 22:26:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 http://blogs.slj.com/nonfictionmatters/2008/12/26/the-desolation-of-the-chains/comment-page-1/#comment-596 Tanya Dean Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:37:19 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/nonfictionmatters/2008/12/26/the-desolation-of-the-chains/#comment-596 As an editor of nonfiction books for young readers, I also find the chain stores to be major disappointments when it comes to providing diverse, fascinating, substantive nonfiction books for kids. We publishers know that bookstore sales do very little to help our bottom line, but beyond the business of the business is the mission of children's publishing: to put good books in the hands of children in any way we can so they will want to be lifelong readers. Libraries are wonderful, exciting places for youngsters, but by middle grade, many kids are bored and no longer seek the library as an environment where they want to explore. Besides, books are merely borrowed, not owned. There are some amazing nonfiction books being published, ones that would make a great addition to a home library, but parents seldom know about those books. Browsing the bookstores doesn't help, as you've so clearly described. Finding a particular title is hard enough. Browsing to find the BEST title on a subject is practically impossible. Publishing houses take big financial risks in producing beautiful, eloquent, engaging nonfiction books--I only wish more people could enjoy (and find) what's being created for these special readers, boys especially. As an editor of nonfiction books for young readers, I also find the chain stores to be major disappointments when it comes to providing diverse, fascinating, substantive nonfiction books for kids. We publishers know that bookstore sales do very little to help our bottom line, but beyond the business of the business is the mission of children’s publishing: to put good books in the hands of children in any way we can so they will want to be lifelong readers. Libraries are wonderful, exciting places for youngsters, but by middle grade, many kids are bored and no longer seek the library as an environment where they want to explore. Besides, books are merely borrowed, not owned. There are some amazing nonfiction books being published, ones that would make a great addition to a home library, but parents seldom know about those books. Browsing the bookstores doesn’t help, as you’ve so clearly described. Finding a particular title is hard enough. Browsing to find the BEST title on a subject is practically impossible. Publishing houses take big financial risks in producing beautiful, eloquent, engaging nonfiction books–I only wish more people could enjoy (and find) what’s being created for these special readers, boys especially.

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