Writing Middle Grade

Middle grade fiction falls in the place between children's books and young adult, and can be a bit difficult to define because of its place in between children's and teen's literature. However, it's a thriving category that offers a lot for readers of all ages! If you'd like to write your own middle grade story, here are some considerations for the genre.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Qualities of middle grade
3:00 - Sympathizing with your young self
4:30 - Family relationships
5:30 - Using slang
6:00 - Don't underestimate the characters

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[Reedsy]

Note: at 0:50, there's a typo. The age range is 8-12, not 18-12!

[milestrombley]

Goosebumps are great books to study for middle grade reading.

[chriscollins]

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Even though it is a great middle grade, it is a book that any adult would enjoy. I have read it many times, and I rarely read a book twice.

[j.rileyindependentproductions]

Well when it comes to my favorite Middle-Grade books I lean kinda old-school, modern classics. "A Wrinkle In Time", "Where the Red Fern Grows", "Hatchet", "My Side of the Mountain", the "My Teacher is an Alien" series, the original "Magic Shop" Series (really needs to be made into a Netflix series), and of course my favorite book series of all time "The Snow Spider Trilogy".

[skaetur]

My first book was Flowers for Algernon.

[amy-suewisniewski]

My favourite Middle Grade read is "The Giver" by Lois Lowry.

[j.rileyindependentproductions]

Working with 4th graders, several of the advanced readers, I get really annoyed at hearing "They like reading about children older than them." No... they don't. I didn't back then and I'm 39 now. None of the standard readers, nor advanced readers, in 4th grade enjoy it either, it's just THE ONLY BOOKS OFFERED TO THEM. So, they have no choice but to do so. Every single one of my students I've talked to about this, wish that there was a character LIKE THEM in literature. Someone THEIR AGE who feel out of touch, as there's a huge difference in thinking between a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old. So, either this idea is rather outdated, or was never actually surveyed with young MG readers.
Offer a 4th grader (identical aside from age) HP-like story about a 12-year-old girl or a 9-year-old girl. Guess which one they will pick? THE 9-YEAR-OLD, every single time. I TESTED IT. But if you are offering them a Magic Tree House like 9-year-old versus HP like 12-year-old, their going to lean toward the HP 12-year-old because they're past the Chapter Book stage.

[theeverlastingfather]

You're such a vibrant and smart beautiful lady! Keep going so your work is so appreciated.

[sapodilla]

I love writing stories for pre-teens. I put them up on my blog and my students actually give me good feedback. It's such a good way to see if I'm on the right path. They tell me what works and what doesn't. And kids are better than editors, they can be pretty brutal 😄

[johnparnham]

In the next few days my middle grade novel or junior novel as we might say in the UK, I will reach my 30.000th word. I know that most videos tell you that you that your characters should be older than the readers, but my duel protagonists are aged 9, nearly 10. Having worked with that age group, I can better understand them. Many authors choose 12 year olds as their protagonists and there's nothing wrong with that but not me. I read a great MG book called the boy at the back of the class, apologies, I can't remember the authors name, whose protagonist is is the 9--10 year old. It's a great book which children of that age can relate to.
I value your video because there are some helpful tips. I only want to write for kids and any helpful advice will be gratefully appreciated.

[mystic_tacos]

I don't remember middle school very well (it was NOT a fun time for me). But I have read a lot of the books my daughters have brought home, one high schooler now and one middle school. I'd say I like what the middle school daughter was reading last year was pretty good. Pride Wars series by Matt Laney.

[Thebookishcousin]

I just knew you’d have the resource I was looking for. 😊 thanks for the tips!

[victorthurse]

I remember The Chrysalids as an exiting story.

[Emma-oook]

What if your a 11 year old middle grade writer... Yes im 11 and im writing a middle grade book, and this helped a lot.

[mrserven]

Middle grade fiction is my fave! Anything from Kate DiCamillo, EB White and Cynthia Rylant. <3

[kandirussell]

Thank you so much for making these videos. They are very helpful!

[aster]

I think there is a typo in the ages. It said 18-12 when it should have been 8-12

[sumayyahkhan]

Shailen i just wanted to ask are you one of the people in reedsy if you are i wanna talk to you and ask you for tips on my writing
Your really good at it

[demonsangells]

The first book I ever read when I was about 8 years old was "The Hanchback of Norte-Dame" by Victor Hugo. Yeah, the original one...

[mollywalker]

I never know how "difficult" to make my writing. I tend to write long paragraphs with complicated words, but I don't like to dumb it down too much because it might come across as patronising.