As
someone who has written several novels for Young Adult readers – albeit self
published- I was interested to read extracts from the report `Bias in Britain` highlighted
in The Guardian this week. In summary books were identified as one of ten areas
named in which under representation of ethnic
minority characters was an issue. Children’s books were specifically mentioned-
in 2017 only 4% of the 9,115 children’s books published that year featured any
minority ethnic characters. Where such characters do appear they are often
either in supporting roles or running a storyline that includes cliched
problems like guns or drugs or poverty. Incidences where they are the lead
character in a children’s novel are said to be rare. So far at least the report
does not seem to know why this is the case and I’m sure no individual writer
has an explanation, least of all me. However it is an interesting topic and
something that has been in my mind when writing my books. I can only offer my
perspective.
