Dear Goodreads,

As publishing professionals, authors, book-buyers, and all-around champions of books for younger readers, we were shocked and discouraged by your decision to remove both the Children’s & Middle Grade and Graphic Novels categories from the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards. 

Books for young people matter. In your statement, you made clear that these categories don’t have as much traction on your platform given the age of the readers. We feel strongly though that adults with kids in their lives - parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians who are active and engaged on your platforms – believe that graphic novels and books for young people matter. After all, if we don’t encourage and support younger readers by bolstering the visibility of books written and published for them, who will grow up to read adult books? 

Because younger readers are as important as any other, we urge you to reinstate both the Children’s & Middle Grade and Graphic Novels categories for this year’s awards.

Sincerely,