Is it just me, or is there a real problem in fantasy/sci-fi books with believable kids?

[conuly]

It seems that people don't write kids well. Kids in sci-fi and fantasy can't just be kids, they always have to be precocious, and usually friendless. You don't ever have kids who just sit and play video games, you have kids like Ender, who play video games that kill real aliens, and are better at it than any of the adults. Or Tiffany Aching, who knows more words than the adults around her and, again, can do what adults can't do. Or Kit and Nita, who end up giving a lecture to Nita's parents on responsibility (though they're less of a dramatic example than the other two). Wesley Crusher is always saving the Enterprise. I can go on, but I really don't want to have to search up books for references. I want answers. IS this real, and if so, why? And does this problem exist in other genres?

Comments

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

Because the people who read these books want a hero to relate to, regardless of age. Because the books are also written for adults--at least, all the examples you've given are.

You want books about children who act like children? Try Judy Blum. Or, if you want them in the same genre, try the Narnia series. Yes, the 'children' were kings and queens, eventually, in that other world, but not much is written about *that* time. For the most part, they're acting like kids. Or try Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising Series. The Drew children act like kids.

[conuly]

Ender's game is, and has been, in the kid's section. I maintain that if you've got a child as your main character, it should be a child, not an adult playacting. (Not that your answer didn't make sense, it's just not a happy answer.)

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

*laughs*

So your next rant is gonna be about adult heroes who act like children most of the time, right?

Yepyepyep. Stephen Donaldson's White Gold Wielder (Chronicles of Thomas Covenant) series comes to mind . . . Hee hee.

[conuly]

Act like children in the bad way? Sure thing. In the good way (childlike as compared to childish), I can't complain. Would be hypocritical.

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

In the bad way indeed. I can't finish the series because I keep wanting to slap all the main characters, then send them to a timeout until they're ready to be seen in polite company again.