Writing About “Tough” Topics for Middle Grade Readers
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written by Sydney Dunlap
At a book signing last weekend, a reader asked me how I came up with the ideas for my novels. At first, the answers seemed pretty simple. My debut, IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY, grew out of my volunteer work with child trafficking survivors. After I learned that eleven-to-fourteen-year-olds are especially susceptible to being lured or forced into trafficking, I decided to write a novel for this age group. I wanted to address the importance of making safe decisions—both while using social media and in real life—before or during the time young people were most vulnerable to this happening to them.
My recent release, RACING THE CLOUDS, tackles addiction of a parent and estrangement in a family—other “tough” topics. It was personally very important to me to write RACING THE CLOUDS, because, like main character Sage, I have experienced the addiction of loved ones. I know how it feels to care a lot about someone and also be afraid of them. To want them to be okay, but not want to be around them. I know how Sage feels when her mind fills with good memories and bad memories, and everything is all jumbled up. I know how much better things become when you have an opportunity to work through those feelings and communicate about how you’ve been affected. And how much lighter your heart is when you can forgive and begin looking forward, not back.
It’s my hope that this book will be helpful for anyone who has been in a situation in their home where they didn’t always feel safe, where things were scary and confusing. I also hope it can provide readers who’ve not experienced anything like this with a better understanding of what it’s like for others, and how being a good friend can make all the difference.
My responses seem pretty straightforward and specific to each book, but overall, my bigger answer is that authors write what is in our hearts. To be able to take experiences we have lived and owned and thought about deeply—the hard and the beautiful and everything in between—and share our understanding of truth with the rest of the world is an incredible privilege, as well as a responsibility.
Whenever I meet a parent who has been struggling to help their tween understand why they need to think twice about who they chat with online and are so relieved to find a book that can help them start the conversation, I know the time and work that went into IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY were worth it. And a few months ago, when I was sharing RACING THE CLOUDS at a school event, I told a boy that the main character had never met her grandparents due to a falling out that occurred in her family before she was even born. He looked at me and said, “I’ve never met my grandpop.”
He was back a few minutes later with his mom and said, “This is my book. I need this book.”
I think this is why we write.
Here is a link to my website if you’d like to learn more about my books: https://sydneydunlap.com/.
It’s been such a privilege to get to know other authors from my 2023 middle grade debut group who also tackle difficult subject matter for young readers, and I thought I’d share a list of them and the timely, important subjects that their wonderful books address:
Meg Eden Kuyatt
GOOD DIFFERENT and THE GIRL IN THE WALLS
Neurodivergence
Ali Terese
FREE PERIOD and VOTE FOR THE G.O.A.T.
Bodily autonomy
Heather Murphy Capps
INDIGO AND IDA and THE RULE OF THREE
Racism
Maria Jose Fitzgerald
TURTLES OF THE MIDNIGHT MOON and MYSTERY ON MACAW MOUNTAIN
Environmental activism
Tamika Burgess
SINCERELY SICILY and DANILO WAS HERE
Prejudice/Microaggressions
Karen Chow
MIRACLE
Grief
About Sydney Dunlap
Sydney Dunlap is an award-winning author and former elementary school teacher who has worked extensively with youth facing challenging circumstances. Her 2023 debut novel, IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY, tackles social media safety and has received a Crystal Kite Honor, several medals, and is featured on four state reading lists. Her subsequent novel, RACING THE CLOUDS, received a starred review from School Library Journal and was praised by Highlights Foundation for its outstanding mental health representation. Follow me on Instagram and visit my website: www.sydneydunlap.com.
Buy RACING THE CLOUDS on Bookshop, or on Amazon.
Buy IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY on Bookshop or on Amazon.
This is such a heartfelt read! Sydneys honesty about writing whats in your heart, especially tackling tough topics like addiction and family drama, is inspiring. Its funny how you can relate to the messy feelings Sage experiences, like wanting someone okay but keeping your distance – sounds like a middle school survival guide! Her vulnerability makes RACING THE CLOUDS incredibly relatable, and those real-life connections, like the boy needing his book, are just precious. Its wonderful authors like Sydney who tackle tough subjects with such heart and skill, proving books can be a lifeline. Her books sound like a gift, offering understanding and maybe a lighter heart. Thanks for sharing, Sydney – youve clearly found your calling!
This is such an inspiring read! Sydney Dunlaps vulnerability is truly touching. Writing about addiction and family estrangement from personal experience makes RACING THE CLOUDS incredibly relatable. I could feel Sages pain and joy as she navigates her complicated feelings. Her hope that the book helps others feel understood and encourages healing is powerful. IT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY sounds equally important, and those real-life connections she shares, like the boy at the school event, prove the impact of her work. Its wonderful authors like Sydney tackle tough subjects with such heart and skill. Her books are a gift to readers, offering both understanding and hope.
What fabulous books! I love that you write from real-life experiences!