Creative Writing, Writing Theory

Middle Grade, Part 1: The Books That Hooked Us On Reading

Written on 11 July 2024

Middle grade (MG) is a term used to describe the age range of a book’s intended audience. Despite the name, it doesn’t apply only to kids in middle school. Middle grade readers are between the ages of 8 and 12, which typically corresponds to kids in 3rd through 6th grade. And they read. A lot. MG is usually considered the most-read category over all other books, including adult fiction.

These readers are graduating from chapter books into full novels with complex ideas and plots, which means they have a vast array of reading levels and interests. Because of this, MG is often divided into two sections: Lower MG for 8-10 year olds and Upper MG for 11-12 year olds.

But, MG isn’t only for kids. These books are the ones that spark a lifelong love of reading in people. As such, they are often timeless and ageless. Adults may read (and reread) them to take a break from the heavy themes in older fiction, for comfort, or for nostalgia.

Some stories may even trigger memories. Think of your favorite book as a child. Do you remember where you were sitting when you opened the first chapter or what big event was going on in your life while you were reading it?

Genres

Middle grade can fit into any genre. Popular ones are graphic novels, mystery, adventure, historical fiction, science fiction, horror, and fantasy. However, it’s worth noting that contemporary and portal fantasy are better fitted for this age group because kids want to see themselves in the situations they read characters going through. That is best done if they can relate to the environment and experiences.

Themes

The themes explored in MG novels are closely tied to the experiences and challenges typical of life as an 8-12 year old. While these books are more complex than picture or chapter books, they typically avoid exploring emotions and topics too deeply, focusing instead on action. Even so, there is a growing trend toward incorporating more challenging themes in a manner that is accessible and non-threatening to young readers.

Here are some common themes you may find across MG novels:

Friendship
Bullying
Tenacity
Compassion
Loss
Growing up*
Puberty
First crushes
Independence
Changing family dynamics
Changes in school

Here are some tougher subjects that some authors tackle:

Immigration
Racism
Prejudice
Religious separatism
Parent with addiction
Abuse
Schizophrenia
Dementia

This audience is naturally curious and eager to learn about the world around them. They are more accepting than other audiences to people who are different from them, and want to learn about history, art, and science. Through these, they can understand their place in the world while being entertained through the action and imagination that is a highlight of MG novels.

Whatever theme you settle on, your story must take a careful, age-appropriate approach. It should be told through the eyes of a young protagonist, making it easier for readers to relate to their experiences and challenges. The goal is to address difficult topics in a way that fosters open conversations without overwhelming the reader.

*Note: Upper MG begins to shift toward YA as the characters get older and coming-of-age elements are introduced.

Story Structure

The dilemma of whether a story should remain a standalone novel or be part of a series comes up in the writing process of nearly every story. This is doubly troublesome with middle grade, because the audience is filled with such voracious readers. Kids love to read the same characters (and authors) over and over. That means they don’t mind rereading books. But it also means that if they like the first book, they’ll consume a whole series in a week.

If you decide to write a series, keep in mind that while you get to know the characters intimately, it can be difficult to keep each book exciting and engaging. When plotting, you have a bit of leeway to leave some unresolved subplots, however they need to be resolved in one of the following books – young readers need closure more than adult readers.