According to a new report from Circana BookScan, print sales of middle-grade books (Children between the ages of 8 or 9 and 12) in the U.S. have declined by 5% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, resulting in 1.8 million fewer copies sold, as reported by Publishers Weekly.
This downward trend continues from a peak in 2021. While some of the decline is attributed to changes in post-pandemic behavior, other factors are also influencing this shift. Brenna Connor, a book industry analyst at Circana, noted that the decrease in reading for pleasure among 9- to 12-year-olds is being impacted by alternative activities. “Screen time plays a significant role, and consumer research shows a negative correlation between increased screen time and reading for enjoyment,” Connor explained. “The more time children spend on screens, the less time they dedicate to reading.”
Despite the overall decline, the report identified certain areas of growth within the middle-grade book market. Publishers Weekly highlighted increased sales in genres such as robots and dragons, adventure and wilderness stories, and graphic novels. These categories, along with titles focused on escapism, have seen positive sales trends.