Middle Grade Novel Guidelines

Writing for the Tween Market

Nov 30, 2007 Jennifer Jensen

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.

The copyright of the article Middle Grade Novel Guidelines in Writing Fiction is owned by Jennifer Jensen. Permission to republish Middle Grade Novel Guidelines in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Write a Middle Grade Novel

What do you think about this article?

---

NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.

post your comment

What is 6+8?

Comments

Dec 2, 2007 8:03 AM

Susan Cramer :

Thanks for lots of helpful tips! And especially the tip on the use of profanity. As the coach for my middle school's Power of the Pen team, I begin our meetings by reading snippets of great writing. I loved Sherman Alexie's new book, and know my kids would love it too, but I don't want irate parents calling my principal, so the kids miss out.

Dec 4, 2007 7:51 AM

Jennifer Jensen :

Thanks for the comments! We have a couple of teachers in our Indiana SCBWI chapter, who plead for no profanity, and with kids in school myself, I'm sensitive to that. So what's your take on The Higher Power of Lucky, and "scrotum?" Not profanity, but it sure caused an uproar.

Nov 28, 2008 8:14 AM

Guest :

The tips were helpful. Thank you so much.

Nov 28, 2008 8:14 AM

Guest :

The tips were helpful. Thank you so much.

Jan 28, 2009 11:40 AM

Guest :

This information seems out-dated to me. Editors and agents these days accept far more YA than middle-grade fiction. Just look at any major publisher's winter and spring 2009 lists!
Why is someone who has never even published a middle-grade novel herself writing these tips anyway?

Mar 29, 2009 5:46 AM

Guest :

I am a middle school reading teacher. Prior to that, I taught middle school
language arts. I agree wholeheartedly that there should be no profanity. I
Read Alabama Moon to my 6th graders, and they loved it -- bit I had to change
quite a few words. For that reason, I only bought one copy. Normally, I might
have bought five more copies to check out to kids. We do get parent complaints
if there is profanity or the scenes are too graphic, and no teacher wants to
have to deal with that! With the Twilight books for example, I told the kids
if they want to read those books, their parents will need to purchase them, and the
kids are allowed to read them during silent reading time.
Your guidelines are excellent. I'd also like to see more figurative language
and higher level questions on author's web pages. Because of No Child Left Behind,
I must now justify all book purchases based on teachability of state and
national standards. So check out those (the state ones especially since
they are easier to comprehend ans they support the national ones.)

6 Comments