After learning about Maurice Sendak's passing yesterday, it made me think about how much he changed the way children read. (May he rest in peace.)

In the past, children's and young adult stories were always simple, without much chaos, and safe. Perhaps a little too perfect. Books of our youth have evolved since the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and even in the early 2000s. Today, books for children, tweens, and young adults stand out more because authors have broken away from the traditional storyline to give readers a deeper look into the real world.