Rena Barron
Black representation in YA and fantasy is hugely important. Something that was very disappointing to me when I was a teen is that I never saw any books with people who looked like me. I still remember specific moments in reading in which I felt empty from never seeing myself represented in the science fiction and fantasy stories that I loved reading so much. I kept asking myself "why isn't there a person like me in any of these books?"
Every single child or teen should be able to see themselves at the center of their stories, be heroes, save the world, go on fantastical adventures, be the chosen one, and so many other roles. Stories help us dream and imagine endless possibilities for ourselves--and it's especially important for teens to have those opportunities.
On a personal note, when I was very young, I wanted to be a writer AND an archaeologist. I was told that "black people don't do that." I still wonder to this day had I seen someone like me in a book or media of any kind in archaeology, if I would have pursued that dream.
When I wrote KINGDOM OF SOULS, I wanted to create the kind of magical world that I loved growing up so that black teens could see themselves in fantastical tales too.
Every single child or teen should be able to see themselves at the center of their stories, be heroes, save the world, go on fantastical adventures, be the chosen one, and so many other roles. Stories help us dream and imagine endless possibilities for ourselves--and it's especially important for teens to have those opportunities.
On a personal note, when I was very young, I wanted to be a writer AND an archaeologist. I was told that "black people don't do that." I still wonder to this day had I seen someone like me in a book or media of any kind in archaeology, if I would have pursued that dream.
When I wrote KINGDOM OF SOULS, I wanted to create the kind of magical world that I loved growing up so that black teens could see themselves in fantastical tales too.
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