[anatoly]

Can you explain what do you mean about other books being patronizing to young readers? In what way are they patronizing?

Sure, there're many SF books that may be too complex for many young readers, but there's also lots of classic SF that people loved as kids. Take, I dunno, Azimov's I,Robot stories or his Foundation novels. Are those patronizing to young readers?

[humanrebar]

Outside of "kid befriends a misunderstood robot/alien/monster", there aren't many science fiction stories starring kids. Even within that genre, there is a reliance of the stereotype of kids being naive and good-hearted. In real life, kids can have their own brand of good critical thinking skills or even skepticism.

I guess what I mean is that in popular culture generally, kids are usually foils, adorably precocious, MacGuffins, or otherwise one-dimensional. They are usually defined by their relationships with adults and their problems are usually solved by an adult, a deus ex machina, or by magic.

Ender's Game does a great job of portraying a wide range of behaviors, character traits, and emotions within a cast of intelligent primary-school-aged kids.

[ef4]

I wouldn't say they're patronizing, but they don't often portray child characters that have any complexity or agency.

That is more rare, and I think it's one reason for Ender's Game's enduring appeal to young readers.

[humanrebar]

I think kids in real life tend to be treated as though they lack complexity and agency.