Writing for Kids: Middle Grade Novels

We’ve covered picture books, easy readers, and chapter books. The next category is middle grade novels.

Middle grade novels, or MG, are for independent readers usually between the ages of 9-12. These kids can read and understand complicated plots and higher vocabulary than chapter book readers.

While MG novels can explore a wider range of topics, writers of MG novels must still avoid some subjects. The best way to determine what subjects are appropriate is to read and study MG novels. Remember, children ages 9-12 may not yet be ready to read about some subjects and publishers will tend to shy away from controversial subjects for this age group.

MG novels usually have a word count between 20,000-50,000 words. J.K. Rowling far exceeded this word count with her Harry Potter novels that started out as MG. Though there can be exceptions, generally MG novels don’t surpass 50,000 words.

A good rule-of-thumb when writing for this market is to write about a protagonist that is at the upper age limit. Kids like to read about characters that are a few years older than they are. Most MG protagonists are 11 or 12, though a few are younger than that. Kids don’t like to read about younger characters.

MG novels are for children who want to read more than a chapter book but aren’t quite ready to read young adult novels. If you’re writing a story with pre-teen characters, chances are you’re writing an MG novel.

Kids who read MG novels want to read exciting, well-written stories. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that kids this age aren’t sophisticated readers.

Things to avoid when writing an MG novel:

• Condescending tone
• Preachy style
• Boring characters
• Babyish storyline
• Underestimating intelligence
• Unrealistic characters or plot

Again, the best advice if you want to write for 9-12 year olds is to read MG novels. Study the pace, plotting, and characterization. Understand what makes it an MG novel. The time you spend studying published novels will pay-off ten-fold when you write your own.