Tags
A Wrinkle in Time, Bridge to Terabithia, Corey Ann Haydu, Fablehaven, fiction, inspiration, Jodi Lynn Anderson, Journey's End, Mary Downing Hahn, middle grade, middle grade books, My Diary at the Edge of the World, Rachel Hawkins, reading, Rules for Stealing Stars, The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland, thoughts, why I love middle grade, Wondla, writing
If you remember, I have begun my first attempt at writing middle grade. A creepy little tale of being lost. Of the journey to find oneself and, maybe, helping others along the path.
It’s an idea I had years and years ago, an idea that finally solidified.
Can I write middle grade? Can I leave the young adult world of teen angst, of realizing there is more to the world than parents and school, of beginning to forget the magic of childhood? Can I write for those who still believe, who look to parents and teachers for guidance, who live in he small world of home and siblings and friends?
We’ll see.
I’ve always loved middle grade books. My kids were that old not too long ago and we read all sorts of things. Adventures! Magic! Friendships!
But since writing mine, I’ve dug deeper into the category. I want to know where my book will fit when finally it makes it onto a shelf. So I am reading all the middle grade I want!
And I discovered something.
I LOVE IT HERE!
This is my happy place. I have read a few REALLY good books. Books full of emotion. Books full of wonderful friendships. Of relationships between parents and kids, between siblings. Maybe it’s just me, but I am enjoying that fact that there is no expectation of who will fall in love, or lust, with who. I have enjoyed just good friendships and stronger sibling relationships. When you’re a kid, strangers are possible friends…though some kids are better at making them. When you’re a kid, parents aren’t trying to ruin your life. When you’re a kid, you might not be able to interpret all the emotions, but you feel them. Though kids know more than adults give them credit for.
Kids can handle a lot.
They know a lot.
They feel everything.
But most of all they love adventure! Magic! So I am trying to get all this in my manuscript.
And I will continue to read middle grade. Let me share with you some of my favorites.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle…soon to be a movie!
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
The Girl who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Took by Mary Downing Hahn
Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
The Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull
The Search for Wondla by Tony DiTerlizzi
Journey’s End by Rachel Hawkins
Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu
And I just started… My Diary at the Edge of the World by Jodi Lynn Anderson and I AM SO HOOKED ON THIS ONE!
My Nowhere series will fit nicely in there! When it’s done…when I find an agent…when it is published…ummm…yeah, I have work to do and a bit of luck to find.
When you find what you love, go with it.
Kathleen Palm 