As discussed at the May 2012 LDS Storymakers Conference.

1. 5 Essentials of the Middle
Grade Novel

2. Don’t want to take notes?
Slideshare.net

3. What Do We Know About Middle
Grade Readers?

4. What Do We Know About Middle
Grade Readers?
• Moving toward abstract thought
• Intensely curious
• Love “useful” knowledge
• Are inconsistent
• Egocentric

5. What Do We Know About Middle
Grade Readers?
• Developing sense of humor
• Fiercely loyal to peers and values
• Challenge authority, but want approval
• Idealistic, fair
• Ready for moral questions

6. It’s also important to know…
• Literally, to know middle graders.
• MG’s can spot a phony.
• MG’s will read up, but rarely down.
• MG’s live in the stories they love.
• MG’s use books to explore emotions.

7. 5 Essentials of the
Middle Grade Novel

8. #1 A Riveting Main Character

9. #1 A Riveting Main Character
• Passionate, intense
• Acts and reacts
• Has purpose
• Feels “real”

10. #2 Dialogue that Leaps
off the Page

11. #2 Dialogue that Leaps
off the Page
• Realistic
• Crisp
• Consistent
• Occasionally
unexpected

12. #3 High Stakes Conflict

13. #3 High Stakes Conflict
• A hero readers cares about
• High stakes for the hero
• A powerful
villain who’s
likely to win

14. #4 Vivid Settings

15. #4 Vivid Settings
• Use of senses in description
• A) The familiar explored in a
new way; or
• B) The new
introduced in
an exciting way

16. #5 Movement of Plot

17. #5 Movement of Plot
• Maximize Actions
• Start with the plot in motion
• Use strong, active verbs
• End of chapter hooks
• Stay true to your unique voice

18. 5 Essentials of the Middle
Grade Novel