The conclusion to a bestselling fantasy saga, controversy surrounding comments by J.K. Rowling, and the launch of a highly anticipated spinoff series were among PW’s most-clicked stories about kids’ and YA books in 2020. Here is our list of the top 10 articles, in ascending order of popularity. Read on for a chance to catch up on some of the big stories you may have missed.
Author Rachel Caine, who wrote the YA series The Morganville Vampires, and The Great Library, in addition to thriller and sci-fi titles for adults, died on November 1 following a battle with soft tissue sarcoma. She was 58. Caine’s literary agent Lucienne Diver said, “During even her hardest times, she was an activist, an ally, a philanthropist, an author uplifting other voices.”
9. Dav Pilkey Announces New Graphic Novel Series
Dog Man and Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey released a new graphic novel series, Cat Kid Comic Club, on December 1. “I wanted to create a new storyline for Li’l Petey, a character in the Dog Man series who is based on my mom and who embodies love, optimism, and hope,” Pilkey said.
8. Spring 2021 Children’s Sneak Previews
See some of the bigger children’s and YA titles due out in the first half of next year—including highly anticipated debuts, follow-ups to bestselling novels, and collaborations between favorite authors and illustrators—in our exclusive roundup.
7. Random House Launches Virtual 'Magic Tree House' Program
Mary Pope Osborne, author of the popular Magic Tree House series, and Random House Children’s Books teamed up for a new online program, aimed at keeping young readers engaged during the coronavirus crisis. Magic Tree House Home Adventures featured weekly themed videos, crafts, games, reading challenges, and other activities.
6. HBG Buys More Than 1,000 Disney Book Group Titles
In a move that dramatically increased its presence in the children’s publishing market, the Hachette Book Group acquired more than 1,000 titles published by Disney Book Group. The deal involved bestselling authors, award-winning as well as backlist and recently published books, plus a number of unpublished titles.
5. An Anti-Racist Children’s and YA Reading List
PW compiled a large selection of recommended fiction and nonfiction about race and activism from creators of color, as well as suggested books that celebrate the diversity of the Black experience.
4. Rowling’s Views Ignite War of Words in U.S., U.K. Literary Worlds
The Harry Potter author’s remarks on gender identity continue to spark controversy on both sides of the Atlantic. The conflicting reactions of her fellow writers has intensified, due to Rowling’s perpetuating what many consider to be transphobia.
3. Dav Pilkey to Launch Online Series
The bestselling author welcomed readers inside his mind through Dav Pilkey at Home, a collaboration between the author, the Library of Congress, and Scholastic. The free online video series, which came about because of the impact of the coronavirus, streamed every Friday morning throughout the spring.
2. How Kids’ Lit Is Responding to the Coronavirus
With widespread school and library closures due to the coronavirus outbreak, children’s authors and publishers went digital to provide kids with ways to read, draw, engage, and support other children who might need a helping hand. Throughout the year, PW has been tracking some of the most creative efforts on social media and across the web.
1. Rick Riordan on Wrapping Up His Trials of Apollo Series
In The Tower of Nero, the fifth and final book in the Trials of Apollo series, Rick Riordan brought his epic saga, which began in 2005 with The Lightning Thief, to a conclusion—at least for now. With 549 weeks and counting on the New York Times bestseller list, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has proven massively popular over the last 15 years. We spoke with Riordan about the end of this journey, and what to expect from him next.
