I find that reading old books is a little like traveling in time. I sometimes pick up a little history in my fiction, but I also learn how our view of that history has changed over the years, and when I see prejudices in older books, I am reminded to try to keep a closer eye on my own.

...It’s a pattern that I like for the whole series – you read one story, you receive information, then you get a slightly different story – because I’m a re-reader. Books I like I read again, and again, and again, and again, and I want to write for the people who read again.

"The simplest way to end a war is to admit you have lost it." (A Conspiracy of Kings)

I think a good book is a good book forever. I don’t think they get less good because times change.

[But] we lie to children... We tell them all bullies are cowards that back down when you stand up to them. Or be yourself and you’ll be happy. And we think as they grow older that they’ll see through it. Sometimes good people don’t get to be happy.

And then we get to YA literature. The great truth teller to teens everywhere. And sometimes we’re still lying. That’s why we have those fantasies set in pseudo pre-industrial and feudal periods, but still enlightened enough to have a woman warrior. They may be well-intentioned lies, but these are not young children. They might not be sophisticated enough to see through the lies, but give them the truth, believe that they are ready for it or they wouldn’t be reading the book.

Source

“A good fantasy is something that shows us something true. We’ve all read YA fantasy that doesn’t aim at that, like adventure fantasy. But if we aim at excellence then fantasy is stark realism. Someone recently interviewed Susan Cooper because of the recent release of her movie. She said that fantasy does that best. ‘Whether it’s Beowolf or Harry Potter, it is a metaphor that helps you deal with things that are difficult in the world around you — and that helps you grow up.’

… If you want a message of tolerance and open-mindedness, fantasy can show you that sometimes more effectively than realism, without rubbing your nose in it.”