Most authors who write about exotic locations rely on research and imagination. Dustin C. Kinard takes a different approach: he simply remembers where he’s been. The founder of Dock and Queen Press has built his middle grade adventure series on something increasingly rare in children’s literature—actual experience from the places his characters explore.
Kinard’s work has resonated with young readers and industry judges alike. His books have collected three significant honors: the International Impact Award, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, and the Literary Titan Book Award. For a two-book series targeting readers ages 7 to 13, that’s an impressive start.
Authenticity as a Selling Point
The middle grade market sits in a peculiar space. Too old for picture books, too young for young adult fiction, readers in this age group are developing their tastes while parents, grandparents, and teachers largely control the purchasing decisions. It’s a market where educational value matters as much as entertainment, where cultural authenticity can be a competitive advantage rather than just a nice addition.
That’s where Kinard’s background becomes relevant. His middle grade adventure books don’t just gesture vaguely at “exotic” settings. They draw from specific journeys he’s made, lending the kind of textural detail that’s difficult to fake. The smell of a particular street market. The way afternoon light hits ancient architecture. The small cultural practices that guidebooks miss.
Building a Series in a Difficult Market
Children’s publishing has always been competitive, but the middle grade category faces particular challenges. Young readers are notoriously fickle, and holding their attention across multiple books requires more than just cliffhangers. The stories need to teach without feeling like homework, adventure without gratuitous danger, and introduce cultural concepts without condescension.
Kinard’s approach of combining fantasy elements with authentic cultural experiences addresses several of these challenges simultaneously. Parents appreciate books that expand their children’s worldview. Teachers value stories that support social studies curricula. And kids, if the awards are any indication, just enjoy good adventure tales.
What Comes Next
With two books published and three awards on the shelf, Dock and Queen Press isn’t stopping. A third book is planned for the series, which will test whether Kinard can maintain the momentum that early success has generated.
The real question for any series is whether it can sustain interest beyond the novelty of the first installment. Many award-winning debut authors struggle with their second and third books. But Kinard has an advantage: if he’s drawing from personal travel experiences, he likely has more material to work with than writers who depend solely on imagination.
For now, educators and parents looking for culturally grounded adventure stories for young readers have two books to choose from, with more on the way. In a market saturated with formulaic series, that authenticity might be exactly what keeps readers coming back.
