Big Jump for Children's and YA Sales in 2012

April 25, 2013 - PW

The odds may not be ever in the industry’s favor, but they sure seemed to be in 2012: sales of children’s and YA books were up 13.1%, to $1.68 billion, over 2011 numbers. 

The big story, of course, was The Hunger Games trilogy, which helped drive hardcover revenue up 11.2% to $828.9 million. Though things weren’t entirely rosy – paperback sales dropped 4.5 percent, to just under half a billion dollars – e-books made great strides, and now represent almost 14% of all children’s sales, at $232.8 million in 2012.

A Photo-Tour of Kids' Books at the 2013 L.A. Times Festival of Books

Compiled by John A. Sellers |

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books drew thousands of attendees this past weekend, and as usual there was plenty of authors, panels, and activities for book-loving children and teens. Couldn't make it this year? Check out a selection of photos from the festival.