Why I Write for Young People
The Peruvian mummy
March 1, 2026
Have you ever wondered why I write for young readers? The seed was planted when I was in grade six. While thumbing through a National Geographics book at our local library, I discovered a story about the discovery of a boy mummy in Peru who had died in an untimely and unfortunate manner hundreds of years ago.
I sat on the floor to read the story. When I looked up at the clock, an hour had passed. I had been so lost in the story, so fascinated by the discovery and the questions of unfairness that it raised, that, for a while, time was suspended and I was in another world.
Like many middle graders, I was curious, on the threshold of thinking like an adult and ready to explore complex subjects. It was time to ask questions and to consider what stand I might take on issues like justice, courage, loyalty, truth, loss, fairness, and hypocrisy.
Middle graders inhabit a remarkable space between childhood and adulthood where curiosity is boundless and questions carry real weight. They are not satisfied with easy explanations or tidy conclusions. They want to understand how things work, why people behave as they do, and what choices truly mean. They are eager for ideas, for honesty, for stories that respect their intelligence and their growing sense of the world.
When I write for readers, I keep those things in mind.. Whatever the topic, whether it is about discovery, invention, survival, or difficult choices, I hope to nurture that curiosity. I hope to inspire thoughtful conversation, and to show that extraordinary moments often arise from the lives of seemingly ordinary people.
I try to write with honesty and respect for my readers. Life isn’t always simple, and stories aren’t always neat. I want young readers to ask questions, think critically, and consider choices carefully. Writing for young people gives me a chance to do that.