In recent years, the publishing world has made progress in producing books that both raise awareness about and showcase joy within the LGBTQ+ community. The American Library Association (ALA) brings attention to these books in June, which they refer to as Rainbow Book Month.

What is Rainbow Book Month?

According to the ALA, “Rainbow Book Month is a nationwide celebration of the authors and books that reflect the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, and asexual community. Originally established in the early 1990s by The Publishing Triangle as National Lesbian and Gay Book Month, this occasion is an opportunity for book lovers and libraries with the very best in LGBTQIA+ literature.”

The recent rise in book banning, harassment, and threats of violence toward libraries makes this month’s observation more important than ever. Supporting free and fair access to all kinds of books is one way we can work to build tolerance in our beautifully diverse world.

How Can We Find KidLit to Celebrate Pride Month?

The 2024 Rainbow Book List was compiled by ALA’s Rainbow Round Table. This list assists all stakeholders and allies in promoting inclusive literature for kids and teens. 

This list includes charming picture books like My Mommies Built a Treehouse, by author Gareth Peter and illustrator Izzy Evans. The story of parents pitching in – and maybe taking over – in the quest to build the perfect treehouse is highly relatable and wonderfully entertaining for young readers. 

Meggie Ramm’s graphic novel Batcat uses fun imagery and silly animal personalities to uplift kids who don’t fit into stereotypical molds and aren’t comfortable with the expectations placed upon them.

Middle grade readers will enjoy Maggie Horne’s Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One, about a young lesbian middle schooler whose quest to find friends turns into a fight for justice. 

There are also a number of YA titles on the list, including Kayla Cottingham’s This Delicious Death. This quirky, dystopian tale includes zombies, murder, miscommunication, a music festival, and queer love. 

The books highlighted here offer only a small sampling of ALA’s recommended titles, so be sure to check out the full 2024 Rainbow Reading List. And be sure this month, and every month, to honor, support, and accept your fellow humans in this beautifully diverse world.

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What’s this about?

We all know that there are many reasons to love the Mixed-Up Files, and one big reason is our effort to put a spotlight on diverse books. Just check out our WNDMG Wednesday blog posts!

Well, it turns out a lot of people have been noticing our dedication to diverse books, and our blog is getting some love from Feedspot. Feedspot chose Mixed-Up Files as one of the 80 Best Diverse Book Blogs and Websites for 2024! That’s something to celebrate!

Here’s what Feedspot has to say about us: “Read special intros, summaries, and extracts from books and novels that revolve around the theme of Diversity and Inclusion. From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors is a team of writers and readers of middle-grade books, and their goal is to celebrate and generate enthusiasm about books for 8-12-year-olds.”

So, what is Feedspot, you might ask?

Feedspot is a content reader that can help you keep up with multiple websites all in one place. That way, you don’t have to visit each website separately to find out what’s new. With this recognition, Feedspot acknowledges the contribution of websites and blogs that recognize the importance of putting more books with diverse characters in the hands of children.  

The goal of this list is to recognize and bring more traffic to websites and blogs that are dedicated to the promotion and growth of inclusive literature. In addition to From the Mixed-Up Files, their list of 80 websites and blogs includes standouts like the Lee and Low Books blog, Multicultural Kid Blogs, and KidLit TV.

Why is this important?

You know the saying: Energy flows where attention goes. Publishers Weekly recently reported findings from the University of Wisconsin’s Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) regarding diversity in children’s books. The good new is that “the number of books received by the CCBC that have BIPOC authors, illustrators, or compilers has tripled since 2015.” They expect this trend to continue with BIPOC representation and to expand to a broader range identities, including differing abilities, LGBTQ+, and religious diversity.

 As you’ll find on our WNDMG page, our mission is to “celebrate and promote diversity in middle-grade books, and we examine the issues preventing better equity and inclusion on the middle-grade bookshelf. We intend to amplify and honor all diverse voices.” If you’re like us, and you have a passion for making sure that all children see themselves represented in books, check out Feedspot’s 80 Best Diverse Book Blogs and Websites and make sure to follow From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors!

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Newbery Medal

Each year, the John Newbery Medal is given to a book selected as the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature. The 2024 medal went to Dave Eggers for The Eyes and the Impossible, the story of a free and fast dog named Johannes who runs daily and reports his observations to three ancient Bison known as the Keepers of the Equilibrium. Published simultaneously by Alfred A. Knopf and McSweeney’s, this book includes illustrations by Shawn Harris.

Newbery Honors

Five Newbery Honor Books were also named: 

• Eagle Drums, written and illustrated by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson and published by Roaring Book Press. 
• Elf Dog and Owl Head, written by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Junyi Wu and published by Candlewick Press 
• Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, written and illustrated by Pedro Martín and published by Dial Books for Young Readers“
• Simon Sort of Says, written by Erin Bow and published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Buena Vista Books, Inc.
• The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, written by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares and published by Arthur A. Levine

Caldecott Medal

The Randolph Caldecott Medal is given annually to the most distinguished American picture book for children. The 2024 Caldecott Medal went to Big, illustrated and written by Vashti Harrison. Published by Little, Brown and Co., this book traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal.

Caldecott Honors

Four Caldecott Honor Books also were named: 

• In Every Life, illustrated and written by Marla Frazee and published by Beach Lane Books
• Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter, illustrated by Molly Mendoza, written by Aida Salazar and published by Scholastic Press 
• There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds and published by Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Atheneum Books for Young Readers 
• The Truth About Dragons, illustrated by Hanna Cha, written by Julie Leung and published by Henry Holt and Co.

Coretta Scott King Awards

Coretta Scott King Book Award for Authors

The Coretta Scott King Book Award for Authors recognizes an African American author whose books for children and young adults “demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.” This year, the award went to Nigeria Jones, written by Ibi Zoboi about a girl who must look beyond the expectations of her revolutionary father to find how to make her own way in the world.. The book is published by Balzer + Bray.

Coretta Scott King Honor Books (Authors)

Three Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books were selected: 

• Big, written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison and published by Little, Brown and Co.
• How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison and published by Candlewick Press 
• Kin: Rooted in Hope, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Coretta Scott King Book Award for Illustrators

The Coretta Scott King Book Award for Illustrators recognizes an African American illustrator whose books for children and young adults “demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.” This year, the award went to “An American Story,” illustrated by Dare Coulter. The book is written by Kwame Alexander and published by Little, Brown and Co., a division of Hachette Book, Inc.

Coretta Scott King Honor Books (Illustrators)

Three Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books were selected: 

• Big, illustrated and written by Vashti Harrison and published by: Little, Brown and Co., a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; 
• Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, illustrated by Shannon Wright, written by Traci N. Todd and published by Orchard Books  
• There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarret Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds and published by Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Other Coretta Scott King Awards

The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award was given to There Goes the Neighborhood, written by Jade Adia and published by Hyperion.

The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award went to We Could Fly, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, written by Rhiannon Giddens and published by Candlewick Press.

The Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement  pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. This year, the award went to Christopher Paul Curtis, a historical fiction novelist who writes in accessible ways for emerging readers to understand the world around them. His novels have received numerous starred reviews and awards throughout his career.

Congratulations to all winners and honorees of the 2024 American Library Association Awards!

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Still upset about Barnes and Noble’s drastic reduction of hardcover middle grade books?

Still shaking your head about Scholastic’s off-again, on-again support of diverse books?

Then we have just what you need: some good news about middle grade books! Courtesy of School Library Journal’s Teen Librarian Toolbox, we bring you the MIND THE MIDDLE PROJECT. The idea is to dedicate 2024 to highlighting middle grade and young teen literature.

Why is this important?

Well, beyond the obvious reasons, let’s take a look at some data. According to SLJ, “test scores for this age group are falling, and youth are reporting that they read less for fun.” Noting a powerful correlation between those two data points, an emphasis on the promotion of books for this age group is a genuinely great idea.

And the best news is that YOU are invited to become a part of the MIND THE MIDDLE PROJECT. Authors are invited to share book cover reveals, participate in interviews, and talk about the writing process. The idea is to connect kids and their gatekeepers with the books they’re looking for.

Teachers and librarians are invited to participate as well, by sharing themed book lists, book club information, and any ideas that inspire reading among this age group. 

How can you get involved?

Would you like to sign up to make a guest post on the Teen Librarian Toolbox? Visit this link and find out how!

Ready to sign up? There’s a Google Form for that!

Let’s give our support to SLJ and the Teen Librarian Toolbox as they promote books and inspire readers with the 2024 MIND THE MIDDLE PROJECT.

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A First Time for Everything is Dan Santat’s graphic memoir that chronicles a life-changing trip to Europe during his awkward middle school years. Praised as both humorous and poignant, this coming-of-age story is relatable, honest, and beautifully illustrated by former Caldecott recipient Santat. 

Accepting his award, Santat recognized the short list of finalists: “I’d like to thank everyone at the National Book Award Committee, and especially this year’s judges for selecting such a diverse range of books from young adults to middle grade and picture books and graphic novels, which demonstrate that a wide variety of stories can be worthy of such high praise.” Other finalists included Kenneth M. Cadow’s Gather, Huda Fahmy’s Huda F Cares?, Vashti Harrison’s Big, and Katherine Marsh’s The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine.

Santat also made a heartfelt expression of gratitude to his mother, “who saw her young, insecure child endure the struggles of growing up through the tumultuous years of adolescence, and gently pushed him out the door to show his young innocent mind that despite the awkward and awful experiences we can sometimes experience in life, that the world is immense. And that within that vast world, there’s also great kindness and love.”

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The books that have been separated from the general inventory are being lumped together in a special collection called “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice.” According to Publisher’s Weekly, there are 64 books in the collection. If schools opt out, students are denied access to books like Amanda Gorman’s Change Sings, Kwame Alexander’s Booked, Denise Lewis Patrick’s Justice Ketanji, and Michael Hall’s Red: A Crayon’s Story.

Many librarians complained, and public outrage followed. Writers and educators used their social media platforms to reprimand Scholastic for bowing to political pressure and restricting access to diverse books. PEN America released a statement decrying Scholastic’s actions. Red Wine and Blue, a group of moms who stand against book banning, is circulating a petition that asks Scholastic to return the books to their regular collection.

PEN America says that the issue is “driven by a vocal minority demanding censorship.” The organization tracks book bans and has documented a significant rise in the number of books being challenged and restricted. According to NPR, book challenges and bans are most prevalent in Texas, Florida, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina. However, no state is immune to restrictions being placed upon books.

The Statement

In response to public outcry, Scholastic released a statement providing a rationale for their decision to allow schools to opt out of the “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice” collection. Among their reasons, Scholastic states the following:

“There is now enacted or pending legislation in more than 30 U.S. states prohibiting certain kinds of books from being in schools – mostly LGBTQIA+ titles and books that engage with the presence of racism in our country. Because Scholastic Book Fairs are invited into schools, where books can be purchased by kids on their own, these laws create an almost impossible dilemma: back away from these titles or risk making teachers, librarians, and volunteers vulnerable to being fired, sued, or prosecuted.”

 

The main premise for their decision seems to be that book challenges are placing schools in a difficult position. In order to continue offering their popular book fairs, the company claims that they need to provide a way for schools to adhere to complex state and local laws. They acknowledge that this is not a perfect solution, but they claim that without the ability to opt out of certain books, schools would be unable to host book fairs.

The Reality

A fifth grade teacher in Georgia was recently fired because she shared a book about gender identity with her students. That book had been available at her school’s Scholastic Book Fair. A middle school teacher in Texas was fired for sharing a graphic novel about Anne Frank with her eighth grade students. A high school English teacher in Oklahoma received death threats after sharing a QR code with her students that enabled them to access the Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned project. 

Teachers, librarians, and volunteers are being fired, sued, and threatened for sharing diverse books with their students. Scholastic claims they are trying to help schools navigate these threats and still provide book fairs that bring in needed funds and put books in the hands of children. Critics disagree.

Critics accuse Scholastic of putting profit over principle. They argue that publishers need to stand strong in support of their authors and books. Across social media platforms, there is a demand for Scholastic to reverse the opt-out option and support access to diverse books. After all, critics argue, if your goal is to truly “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice,” you cannot hide some stories and voices because a vocal minority denounces them.

The Alternatives

When we think of book fairs, we think of Scholastic. There’s a good reason for that. Over 100,000 Scholastic book fairs are hosted each year, and they provide schools with funds for books and other resources. Scholastic is so dominant in the book fair market that it’s difficult for many schools to find viable options. However, outrage over the isolation of the “Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice” collection has caused many librarians to look beyond Scholastic for book fair options.

While Scholastic is definitely the biggest player in the book fair market, there are other booksellers that host book fairs, including Literati and Barnes and Noble. Many publishers also host book fairs, but their collections might be more limited than what is offered by Scholastic.

Another option is the independent book store. During recent years, indie bookstores have seen a rise in popularity, and their followers have a deep sense of loyalty. Communities embrace them because they are known for promoting the open exchange of ideas and contributing to the local economy. They also usually provide access to a diverse collection of books and make their services available to local schools. 

Now, many communities are turning to their local bookstores as an option to book fairs hosted by the publishing giant. Independent bookstores have strong ties to their neighbors and understand the culture and needs of their communities. The personal attention they can offer is leading many librarians and schools to partner with their local indie bookstores. The indie alternative offers a personalized approach to hosting a book fair and a way to take a stand against Scholastic’s decision to give libraries and schools the choice to opt-out of including diverse books.

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October 1-7 is Banned Books Week! For over 40 years, this annual event has amplified the voices of librarians, readers, writers, publishers, and booksellers who fight to uphold the freedom to read. The theme for Banned Books Week 2023 is “Let Freedom Read,” and the honorary chair is actor and longtime champion of books LaVar Burton. 

If you would like to join this call to action and defend the freedom to read, there are many ways you can be an active part of Banned Books Week 2023. 

Find Ways to Get Involved

Learn all about the history of book banning, advocacy groups that actively fight censorship, and ways to start your own grass roots efforts to promote the freedom to read on the Public Policy and Advocacy page of the Banned Books Week website.

Participate in “Let Freedom Read Day.” 

October 7 is designated as “Let Freedom Read Day.” On this day, the Banned Books Coalition is asking everyone to take at least one action “to help defend books from censorship and to stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers, and booksellers who make them available!”

Ideas for ways to take action – from calling decision makers to buying a banned book – are listed on the Banned Books website. Post your actions on social media and use the hashtags #LetFreedomReadDay and #BannedBooksWeek.

Show Your Support

Access free posters, banners, bookmarks, and logos to add to your social media accounts at the Banned Books Week Promotional Tools page. If you’d like to order promotional items like t-shirts and tote bags, visit the Let Freedom Read Gift Shop. And if you’re ready to promote “Let Freedom Read Day” in your community, there’s a great infographic poster you can download for free. 

Banned Books Week began in 1982, but the need for advocacy is more urgent now than at any time during its history. Among the founders of Banned Book Week is the American Library Association (ALA), whose “mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.” Join ALA and numerous other sponsors in celebrating this year’s “Let Freedom Read” campaign and in defending the right to read throughout the year.

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What are intimidation laws?

According to pen.org, “Educational intimidation bills are part of the broader, ongoing ‘Ed Scare’—a nationwide effort documented by PEN America to foment anger and anxiety about public education; to restrict or prohibit instruction about race, sexuality, and gender; and to ban books that address these topics.”

In a report titled Educational Intimidation: How “Parental Rights” Legislation Undermines the Freedom to Learn, the organization examines the rise of educational intimidation bills, “a category of legislation that has the effect of prompting self-censorship in schools through indirect mechanisms, rather than direct edicts.” While PEN America has documented some intimidation bills affecting higher education, the majority of these laws target K-12 educators.

In its Index of Educational Intimidation Bills, PEN America identifies nearly 400 such bills that have been introduced in state legislatures between January 2021 and June 2023, and they have categorized bills by their intent. These bills generate fear, intimidation, or insurmountable obstacles in the following ways:

• Requiring teachers to post all instructional or professional development materials on public websites so that citizens can easily access these materials and issue objections  
• Restricting students’ access to school libraries or empowering individual parents to gain control over which materials are allowed in school libraries
• Inviting parents to opt students into or out of certain content, greatly complicating school schedules and creating individually designed curricula that tears away at the unifying fabric of public school environments
• Expanding the definition of obscenity beyond its existing legal definition, and threatening educators and librarians with criminal penalties for violations
• Requiring teachers to monitor and report students’ gender expression

Many laws are making it easier for a single parent to disrupt the educational opportunities afforded to all students. From telephone tip lines to the filing of anonymous complaints, individual parents are being given increasing control over the professional decisions of educators and librarians. 

How are these laws affecting teachers and librarians?

In an article titled “New Intimidation Laws Lead to Classroom Censorship,” PEN America’s editorial director, Lisa Tolin, provides specific examples of teachers and librarians who have lost professional autonomy over curriculum and reading material based on intimidation. 

For example, an art teacher in Tennessee removed major figures from her teaching of art history because of laws that prohibit the teaching of concepts related to race or sex. She was merely introducing the artists and their work to her students, but because of the personal lifestyles of these artists, she knew she would face opposition. This teacher also noted the elimination of Black History Month observances and reported that third graders who have traditionally taken a field trip to a civil rights museum are now going to a baseball game instead.

There’s the case of a Virginia librarian who was subjected to a library inspection and received challenges that originated from a Moms for Liberty list. A teacher in Georgia was fired after reading My Shadow is Purple, a book that was available at the school book fair and was requested by her students.

In addition to legal actions, teachers and librarians also face personal harassment for defending students’ right to read. An Oklahoma teacher who informed her students about Brooklyn Public Library’s Books Unbanned program was removed from the classroom, but that was only the beginning. She was harassed online with graphic suggestions of violence, imprisonment, and even execution. 

In Louisiana, a librarian who voiced opposition to the proposal of book banning was threatened and harassed to the point that she lived in fear and was unable to sleep. According to the article, “Strangers called her a ‘pedophile’ and a ‘groomer.’ One person filed a public records request for her employment history. Another sent her a message saying, ‘You can’t hide, we know where you live. You have a target on your back. Click click.’”

The battle is becoming exhausting for many teachers and librarians. Facing termination of employment, legal actions, and unrelenting harassment is unhealthy and unsustainable. In short, intimidation is effective because the consequences are overwhelming.

What can be done to battle intimidation laws and their effects?

The first step in addressing intimidation bills and the undue stress they place on teachers and librarians is to become informed. To more fully understand the issue of educational intimidation bills, read PEN America’s full report.

Next, find out what’s going on in your local school district. If you become aware of a book ban, you can report it to PEN America via this online form. PEN America and Penguin Random House have joined parents and students from Escambia County, Florida, in filing a federal lawsuit to challenge the removal of some books and the restrictions placed on many others.

Learn more about specific state challenges and PEN America’s #FREETHEBOOKS campaign. At this link, you’ll find many issues addressed in detail, and each has an “ADD YOUR VOICE” link that opens instructions for interested parties who want to take action.  

Most importantly, as the surge in educational intimidation bills continues to grow, be a voice of support for the individual teachers and librarians who take a stand for students’ right to read.

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Donated items include manuscript critiques, query critiques, author visits, and autographed books as a way for the writing and publishing community to help with recovery efforts. Donations will go to the Hawaii Community Foundation, Kamehameha, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and the Maui Food Bank. 

Agents, authors, and other publishing professionals have joined forces to offer a huge selection of items up for bid. Check out the offering of a query critique from MUF’s own Heather Murphy Capps!

The full list of auction items can be found here. The auction opened on August 21 and will conclude on August 25 at midnight Hawaii Standard Time, so act quickly!

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If you find yourself asking these questions, read on. There’s plenty of AI news on the middle grade front, and multiple organizations are speaking out.

SCBWI

 Back in December of 2022, the official blog of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators published a two-part series titled “The Troubling Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and How It Impacts Children’s Book Creators.” 

Part I covered issues for illustrators, like the potential for AI systems to study a wealth of existing artwork, learn patterns within them, and “create” something new from what the system has learned. 

Natural questions arise. Can this be termed as “stealing” from existing creators? On one hand, it looks new. What’s the difference between a tech tool borrowing from existing patterns and an artist being inspired by them? But on the other hand, the product is not new and original. The “creation” is generated from the images that have been programmed into it.

The same issues exist for authors, as detailed in SCBWI’s Part II of the series. At issue is the fact that AI systems like the highly popular Chat GPT and a growing number of similar resources, are producing text at a wildly accelerated rate.

These systems can generate a story or a nonfiction piece about a particular topic for a target demographic at a specified word length. Just give it the specs, and watch it “create.” But can you really call it “creating”?

How Does AI Work?

Text generated by AI systems pulls from the language patterns, information, and ideas of existing works. Technically speaking, it’s not creating new work – it’s regenerating data points from established work in a whole new way.

This capability is sending up red flags for authors and illustrators. What qualifies copyright infringement in this strange new world? How likely is it that the publishing industry might succumb to the potential for big returns on small investments? 

And what might all this mean for readers? When text and illustrations are being generated from patterns and data points gleaned from existing works, there is no creativity. No human perspective. No potential for something new and wonderful that speaks to the soul and enlightens the mind.

The SCBWI blog posts refer readers to the questions that are already on the minds of the folks at The Authors Guild, so let’s go there next.

The Authors Guild

Back in October of 2022, The Authors Guild posted a cautionary article by Mary Rasenberger entitled “How Will Authorship Be Defined in an AI Future?” 

One major concern presented in this piece is fair compensation for creators. The Authors Guild is actively advocating for changes to copyright laws that will prevent AI from taking over the market for written works. 

Rasenberger presents a list of ways AI has already been used in journalism, corporate texts, and literature. She cites two examples of AI achievements that are more than moderately concerning. An AI-generated novel was a finalist for a Japanese literary award, and there was an AI-generated article about the harmless nature of AI published in The Guardian. 

Rasenberger goes on to explain that AI is not actually “creating”; it is auto-generating texts and images using existing works that have been programmed into it. She argues that copyright laws need to adjust for AI infringements, and she details a list of concerns that need to be addressed.

However, the author also concludes that she does not foresee AI being able to replace true art. Human art reflects the very real experiences and emotions of its time and place. And that cannot be generated from existing works. In Rasenberger’s words, “I think we can all agree that a world without the arts, which help move us forward as a society, is not one that we aspire to.”

MLA and NCTE

In July 2023, a joint task force of the Modern Language Association and the Conference on College Composition and Communication (a chartered conference of the National Council of Teachers of English) issued a statement about writing and AI in which they discuss both the risks and the benefits of AI. It’s a working paper, so comments are open and a final version is forthcoming.

This working statement “makes principle-driven recommendations for how educators, administrators, and policy makers can work together to develop ethical, mission-driven policies and support broad development of critical AI literacy.” In other words, there may be dangers, but AI isn’t going anywhere, so how can we make this work?

In the introduction, the statement is made that “writing describes a process as well as a product.” This is an important premise to consider. The labor involved in creating should be acknowledged and compensated appropriately, and students of writing need to learn their craft by going through the process of writing.

The paper goes on to define “broad risks and potential benefits of artificial intelligence to language, literary, and writing scholarship and instruction.” For example, while we need to guard against AI resources infringing on copyright and supplanting actual authors and illustrators, we can safely acknowledge the benefit of AI in brainstorming and gathering ideas.

Conclusions

It’s hard to derive real conclusions from all the AI information out there right now because this is just the dawn of the age. However, it’s safe to say that AI is here to stay, and creators as well as consumers of middle grade literature need to be aware of both its positive and its negative potential.

Does AI have the potential to eliminate human creators from the equation? No, it does not. Regenerating text and images from what already exists does not move the world forward. AI will never have the capacity to think, feel, empathize, and imagine. 

AI can help us see with new eyes what is already in existence. But it cannot truly create. In the wise words of Albert Einstein, “Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.”

Keep seeing. Keep thinking. Keep creating.

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