Stories about kids that aren't for kids!

[Nellie]

This is one of my favourite niches. As a kid, I loved reading dark children's books, and as a teenager now I still feel the same way! Kids can make really interesting protagonists and characters and open up loads of plot possibilities.

I'm currently making a webcomic on tapas that's a dark coming-of-age fairytale from a child/teenagers perspective. I'd love to read some other comics or novels with that similar theme - stories about kids that aren't for kids. Feel free to self-promote below and maybe I'll check them out!
Here's the link to my comic, Elderflower:

Elderflower | Tapas

[DeformedSunflower]

Oh, I love dark children's books as well! Absolutely going to check it out

[Nellie]

Oh good to hear, cheer dude!

[Kelheor]

That's definitely Hexameron

Hexameron | Tapas

[Pencilz]

I suppose The Caraway Crew counts as this

The Caraway Crew | Tapas

[gh0stcr33p]

before I blindly self promote is this a thread just for dark stories that involve children? or does ”not for children” just mean that the story isn’t aimed towards or meant for kids?

[Nellie]

You can promote both kinds - dark stories for children, or stories about children that aren't for children. It's kinda confusing I know lol.

[JRHoch]

My story is about a teen, but the treatment probably resonates with adults or mature teens. The art style is definitely not the manga stuff you see for teen girls.

Afterlifer | Tapas

[GesuGesu]

Made in Abyss. That's all.

[Lunar-Turtle]

I guess my comic belongs to this category. The main two characters are kids, but the story is not really a story for children. Like, I think kids can read it, but it's more for older people, teens, young adults, adults. I always found the concept of adult stories having kids as main characters interesting.

Synastry

[summermcallen]

I can really recommend Isakytm's Lalins Curse.

Lalin's Curse

[Ghostie]

Azren in my comic is a teen mob boss..... LOOOOTSa not-kid stuff up in his world, and yet somehow he climbs the food chain and pwns even the manliest dudes. This is one of my fav things, because I find it adds an element of discomfort. It's unnerving.

"The Deep Blue; Taboo" | Tapas

[indagold]

I actually came up with the concept as a kid for this comic and finally adapted it as an adult.

Castle by the Beach | Tapas