Awhile back someone said something to me along these lines, “Where are all the books for ‘normal’ kids? Why does everyone have to be from a broken home or have mental illness?” They commented that the books they read growing up were about kids going out and having fun.
To which I could retort, “That’s what these books are about! Just because these characters have complex backstories and greater problems than saving up to buy some candy doesn’t mean they aren’t just ‘kids being kids’.”
But looking back at the books I read as a child, the ones I wanted to read and re-read were the books with more complex problems. I loved Junie B. Jones. She was always getting into trouble and doing ridiculous things! But her books weren’t the ones I re-read. I loved re-reading books like “The Tale of Despereaux”. These characters had complex problems. I loved books like, “The Two Princesses of Bamarre” where they had to save the kingdom. Neither of these books include, according to that person’s definition, “normal” kids.
Let’s look at some statistics.
According to the Child Mind Institute about 23% of children in the U.S. have some sort of mental illness. It’s common knowledge that 50% of marriages end in divorce, meaning that 50% of the children in our schools are likely from a broken home. The National Survey of Children’s Health reports that nearly 35 million children have experienced childhood trauma.
I wonder if any book you read contains “normal” children. So I went hunting through what is considered “classic” children’s literature.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Jess obviously is suffering from the lack of attention from his parents. Leslie has an overactive imagination. They create a complex world all of their own. Leslie’s home life is definitely not “normal” with parents who are in and out of involvement, eccentric, and scattered. Some would argue that Jess’ parents are not “normal” because they are so over stressed and struggling financially. Survey says- not “normal” kids.
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. The Pevensie kids are in the midst of a war. They are sent to the country away from their parents. They travel to a magical world where they fight a witch and all of her scary minions. Survey says- not “normal” kids.
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. Alice runs away from her family by falling down a rabbit hole. She encounters talking animals, has to run away from a queen who wants to cut her head off, and talks nonsense with the characters. Survey says- not a “normal” kid.
But isn’t that the point? No one wants to be normal! We wall want to be unique and an individual. I want to read about kids doing exciting things. I want to read about possibilities. None of us are “normal” and classic children’s literature is filled with characters who aren’t “normal”. Let’s celebrate the differences and all the fun that comes from being with people who are different than us! Let’s enjoy the fact that none of us are normal!
Keep Sparkling,
B
The Sparkling Librarian 