Middle grade fiction is a huge market today, but where do you start? How long should it be? Language restrictions? Here are key points on writing a middle grade novel.
The largest, most popular category of children’s books is middle grade. Children, agents, and editors are all looking for a good read. Here are some guidelines on writing for the middle grade market.
Middle Grade Ages
Middle grade readers are typically 8-12 years old, have moved up from chapter books, and are ready to read anything in sight. At the older end, not all 12 and 13-year-olds are ready to graduate to Young Adult. Publishers are often creating an upper middle grade category, aimed at the 10-14 age group.
Middle Grade Genres and Subjects
Tweens are voracious readers, and will take on anything from the familiar to the fantastic. The category includes all genres: adventure, mystery, historical, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi etc. Humor is still big, but many children this age are also hungry for more thoughtful or significant themes.
Characters
As always, children (and editors) generally like main characters in the upper age range: 10-12 years old for middle grade, 12-14 for upper middle grade. Within the variety of genres, settings, and plot problems, the characters face the same worries, hopes, dreams and fears as their middle grade readers. In a well-written book, the protagonist should grow and change internally by the end, as well as be the main problem-solver of the plot problems.
Length and Style
Middle grade novel lengths vary from publisher to publisher, but 20,000-40,000 words is typical. Write the best book possible, whatever its length. Check publishers’ guidelines (available on their websites or by mail) to find out what individual publishers say they want. Also check current books in stores and libraries to see what lengths they are actually producing.
Middle grade writers don’t need to worry too much about vocabulary and reading level. Children will gravitate to the books they enjoy, and a few unknown words won’t stop them. Teachers (and therefore publishers) also like to see some vocabulary they can use in language arts lessons.
Middle Grade Cussing?
Beware of strong language in your middle grade novel. You may wish to use profanities because a particular character demands it, but at this age, parents and teachers are still very protective. Teachers also beg writers not to include foul language because then they can’t read that book in class. If you must include it, be aware that it may limit the book’s marketability, both with editors and with the public.
Middle Grade Novels to Study
The first place to start your study is with the Newbery winners and honor books of the last twenty years. They are often (but not always) middle grade and even the recently-outdated ones are still well-written classics. These do tend to have more serious themes, so also ask your librarian, book store manager, favorite teacher, and neighborhood kids for other suggestions, especially in the humor, adventure and fantasy line. By the time you’ve analyzed 50 middle grade books, you’ll have a good idea of what works.
Children’s Book Age Levels
For a quick list of the differences between children’s book age categories, read Writing for Children.
