An interview with author Rick Riordan about his latest fantasy novel, a farewell to four fan-favorite YA trilogies, and more q&as with authors on saying goodbye to their popular teen series were among PW’s most-clicked stories about kids’ and YA books in 2021. Here is our list of the top 10 articles, in ascending order of popularity. Catch up on some of the big stories you may have missed!
10. Rick Riordan Imprint Moves into YA Fiction with Daniel José Older
Daniel José Older, author of Shadowshaper and many more books for middle grade, YA, and adult readers, signed a two-book deal to launch a series with Rick Riordan Presents, is about a teen who discovers that he has the capability to save New York City from being destroyed by an ancient evil force.
9. The Most Anticipated Children’s and YA Books of Spring 2021
Our editors shared their picks for the best children’s and YA titles the released during the first half of the year, including anthologies foregrounding diverse voices, picture books from the pandemic’s frontlines, and more.
8. Rowling Returns with Holiday Tale
The Harry Potter author topped our children’s headlines again this year, less so for her controversial statements on gender than for her standalone middle grade holiday novel, The Christmas Pig, which released in October.
7. Alex Gino Debuts New Title and Cover for Groundbreaking Trans Novel
“It is an extremely trans thing to be told you’re too beautiful to change,” middle grade author Alex Gino mused when they announced that their groundbreaking and award-winning middle grade novel would be repackaged and retitled Melissa to honor the trans heroine’s chosen name.
Beloved book editor and nonfiction author Kathleen Krull, who died in January, was remembered by colleagues, friends, and readers in our obituary. “Her love of fun echoed in so much of what she did, whether in work or friendship,” said her editor Jeannette Larson.
5. Fall 2021 Children’s Sneak Previews
At the top of the year, alongside our Spring Announcements issue, we shared an exclusive first look at publisher’s most anticipated fall releases for children and teens.
4. Spring 2022 Children's Sneak Previews
And with this fall’s Announcements issue, we offered a glimpse at publishers’ eagerly awaited offerings for the spring.
3. Noteworthy YA Series Come to an End This Season
Either readers were eager to catch up or not quite ready to say goodbye when our roundup of q&a’s with the authors of popular concluding YA series broke the top three most-viewed articles on our site.
2. Four Fan-Favorite YA Trilogies Come to an End This Fall
And continuing the long goodbye was our fall installment of interviews with the authors behind genre-spanning YA series reaching their conclusions this season.
1. Four Questions for Rick Riordan
And finally, as he did last year, Percy Jackson creator Rick Riordan tops our most-viewed articles! The author and acquiring editor of Disney’s Rick Riordan Presents imprint sat down for a rapid-fire interview ahead of the release of his latest book, Daughter of the Deep.
