Middle grade

• 21/10/2022
• Siobhan O'Brien Holmes
• no comments

Middle grade is a category of fiction aimed at children, typically aged between 8 and 12. Of course, some younger children will start reading middle grade earlier, while a lot of older children will keep reading it even after they’ve transitioned to YA. Despite the fluidity of the audience, 8-12 is an important age range to keep in mind because publishers, booksellers and librarians rely on it heavily for categorisation and you’ll need to understand where on the shelf your book might sit.

There are a few guidelines to stick to when writing middle grade to give your book the best chance of success:

• Average word count: Realistic middle grade novels typically range between 20,000 and 50,000 words (lower for younger middle grade and higher for older) with around 35,000 being the average. Fantasy novels tend to run longer due to the world-building needed to support the story.
• Protagonist’s age: Main characters should be somewhere between 10 and 13. Young readers usually prefer to read up, so aim for a protagonist that’s about two years younger than your target audience (but be aware that 14 is edging into YA territory).
• Mature content: Sex, swearing and graphic violence are usually a no-no in middle grade. Edgy elements might occur off-screen but not on the page and are never gratuitous or explicit.
• Themes: Middle grade stories often centre on family or friendships, and follow a protagonist who’s trying to find their place in the world.

If you’re seeking traditional publication, failure to stick to these could earn you an immediate rejection because your novel just isn’t appropriate for the audience you’re writing for (plus it makes you look like you haven’t done any industry research). If you’re self-publishing, it’s still absolutely crucial that you’re aware of publishing norms. A middle grade novel that’s double the usual length or that deals with mature themes might dissuade readers (and their parents, teachers and school librarians) before they’ve even picked it up.

More information about this term:

• 6 Golden Rules of Writing Middle Grade | Writer’s Digest
• Writing Middle Grade | Writers and Artists
• How to write middle grade fiction | Mary Kole
• How to write a children’s middle grade book | Penguin
• Interviews with middle grade authors | Middle grade ninja