Tag Archives: Children’s literature

Writing

What Are Middle Grade Novels?

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“What Are Middle Grade Novels?” by Joan Y. Edwards

Read Kristi Holl’s Right-Writing.com article “Writing the Middle Grade Novel” http://www.right-writing.com/middle-grade.html. She is an instructor for The Institute of Children’s Literature.  It gives a good comprehensive overview of what Middle Grade Novels are. I read a lot of posts. Her explanation was simple and clear. It was the best one that I read.

After reading all of the sources below, I combined their knowledge and mine to give you a good idea to answer the question, “What are Middle Grade Novels?”

Criteria for Middle Grade Novels

  • Written for 8-12 years old – Grades 3, 4, 5, 6
  • 30,000 -45,000 (120  – 180 pages) pages may vary.
  • Chapters 7-10 pages each (may vary)
  • Unlimited Chapters
  • Contains Words with any number of syllables.
  • Any structure of sentences
  • Episodes stand on their own in each chapter and lead up to a big crescendo at the end.
  • Humor
  • Strong Voice

Main Character in Middle Grade Novel

  • experiences problems with school, friends, neighborhood, siblings, pets, and people in authority
  • realizes that adults make mistakes, including his own parents
  • leans more heavily on opinions and advice of friends, rather than parents.
  • his parents may be missing from the story or not needed to make the story believable
  • may be opinionated and doesn’t think there’s any room for people to have a different opinion from his.  (I believe it might be a good time to teach him debating skills.)

Middle Grade Students

  • want to please
  • worry about being wrong or doing it wrong.
  • place things in an all right or all wrong category.
  • want to belong
  • show interest in opposite sex by teasing, joking, and showing off.
  • sometimes verbally abusive of classmates: name-calling and nasty put-downs.
  • learn how to handle bullying.

Middle Grade Students Enjoy

  • clubs
  • secrets
  • rules, rituals, routine
  • games
  • hobbies that develop interests and talents like music, art, dance, sports

Anita Gurian, Ph.D. and Alice Pope, Ph.D. say “They (kids) learn how to set up rules, how to weigh alternatives and make decisions when faced with dilemmas. They experience fear, anger, aggression and rejection. They learn how to win, how to lose, what’s appropriate, what’s not. They learn about social standing and power – who’s in, who’s out, how to lead and how to follow, what’s fair and what’s not.”

Examples of Middle Grade Novels

  1. Amazon Best Selling Middle Grade Books https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Books-8223722010-Middle-Grade-Ages-12/zgbs/books/7782727011
  2. Good Reads.com “684 Popular Middle Grade Fiction Titles http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/middle-grade-fiction
  3. Seira Wilson. “Best Children’s Middle Grade Books of the Year.” http://www.omnivoracious.com/2011/11/best-childrens-middle-grade-books-of-the-year.html

Resources

1. About.com. Children’s Books Top Picks “Historical Fiction for Middle Grade Readers:” http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/Award-Winning-Historical-Fiction-For-Middle-Grade-Readers.htm
2.  Babette Reeves, the Passionate Librarian. “Middle Grade or Young Adult: What’s the difference?” http://babetter.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/middle-grade-or-young-adult-whats-the-difference/
3.. Barnes & Noble. New York Bestsellers Middle Grade and Young Adult Books http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/childrens-books-ny-times-bestsellers-chapter-books/379001074/
4. Good Reads.com “684 Popular Middle Grade Fiction Titles http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/middle-grade-fiction
5. Kristi Holl, Right-Writing.com. “Writing the Middle Grade Novel” http://www.right-writing.com/middle-grade.html
6.  Seira Wilson. “Best children’s Middle Grade Books of the Year.” http://www.omnivoracious.com/2011/11/best-childrens-middle-grade-books-of-the-year.html

Wow! It’s a bunch to get a handle on, but step by step, we’ll make it. I recommend checking out 25 Middle Grade Novels and compare them with the ideas on this page. You may find they coincide with the ideas on this page. You may find ideas that disagree with my findings. Be true to your characters and their voice from within. The editors will decide where it goes. Make your best guess.

I hope that this helps you understand what makes a Middle Grade Novel. Ask me questions. Give me answers. Tell me your favorite Middle Grade Novel. What’s missing from my criteria? I’ll do “What are Young Adult Novels?” next in this Genre series.

I am honored by your presence here. Thanks for reading.

Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards

Writing

What Are Easy Readers?

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What Are Easy Readers? image
Copyright 2011 Joan Y. Edwards

“What Are Easy Readers” by Joan Y. Edwards

Perhaps you have a story that would make a great Easy Reader. Here are a few facts and opinions to help you decide.

The following link will help you understand better about Easy Readers. It’s a passage from p. 14 and p. 15 in Biscuit, a My First I Can Read Book by Alyssa Satin Capucilli with illustrations by Pat Schories.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0064442128/ref=dp_otherviews_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&img=1

Easy Readers, Emerging Readers, and Beginning Readers are all books for the young child who is just learning to read.

Many publishing houses have their own brand of easy readers. They have different levels. Each publisher’s criteria may vary. Robyn Opie says, “The characters, settings, themes and conflicts of easy readers must be relevant to your readers…consider: family, friends, pets, animals, school, holidays, sports, losing something, finding something, being left out, being different, etc.

If you are using Word 2003 and 2007, you can set your Spelling and Grammar Review to check the readability of your manuscript. It uses the

6-8 year old Easy Readers have the following elements

  • Color Illustrations on every page, even though they aren’t essential to understand the story
  • Words tell whole story and don’t rely on illustrations to explain parts.
  • Action and dialogue
  • Simple words
  • Simple, short sentences with one idea per sentence
  • Controlled Vocabulary
  • Introduce new words so they can be figured out in context
  • 2-5 sentences a page
  • 200-1500 words
  • 48 to 64 pages

Examples of Easy Readers

Alyssa Capucilli Biscuit, Level 1 http://www.amazon.com/Biscuit-Alyssa-Satin-Capucilli/dp/0064442128
Betsy Byars The Golly Sisters, Level 3 http://www.amazon.com/Hooray-Golly-Sisters-Harper-Paperback/dp/0064441563/
Denis Cazet Minnie and Moo, Level 3 http://www.amazon.com/Minnie-Moo-Missing-Jelly-Donut/dp/0060730099/
Marjorie W. Sharmat Nate The Great http://www.amazon.com/Nate-Great-Marjorie-Weinman-Sharmat/dp/0385730179/
Peggy Parrish Amelia Bedelia, Level 2 http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Bedelia-Read-Book-Level/dp/0064441555/

Publishers of Easy Reader Series

Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt
Harper Collins – I Can Read books
 Random House – Step Into Reading
Scholastic

Resources:

    1. Harold Underdown, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books: http://www.underdown.org/cig_3e_ch08b.htm
    2. Harold Underdown. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books,
      Chapter 8: Novels and Other Books with Chapters (list of books) http://www.underdown.org/cig_3e_ch08c.htm
    3. Misty Karam. “Book Recommendations: Easy Readers”
      http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Kids%27_Book_Recommendations:_Easy_Readers
    4. University of Illinois. School Collection on the ESSL Children’s Literature Blog http://www.library.illinois.edu/blog/esslchildlit/archives/2010/11/easy_reader_boo.html

I suggest that you check out about 25-100 of the Easy Readers. Read this post again with one of the Easy Readers in your hand, it’ll cement its style and necessities into your mind. It’ll help you discover if this genre suits your writing style and topics of interest. I hope that this will help you decide if you have a neat idea for an Easy Reader. I’m doing a post on Chapter Books next.

Learn something new.
It’ll inspire you to be thankful for what you already know.

Flip Flap Floodle will make a wonderful gift for your 4-8 year old child or grandchild. I loved telling, writing, and illustrating it. The little duck and his song remind children to believe in themselves and never give up. It’s available as a paperback and as an ebook for the Kindle and Nook, too. I hope you’ll consider purchasing a copy. Thanks.

Never Give Up
Live with Enthusiasm
Celebrate Each Step You Take

Joan Y. Edwards
Copyright © 2011-2016 Joan Y. Edwards

Updated September 4, 2016

Writing

Components of a Good Query Letter

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Components of a Good Query Letter

by Joan Y. Edwards

A query letter is a letter sent to a publisher, editor, or agent asking for permission to send a full manuscript, first three chapters, synopsis, or proposal for a writing project. A query letter can be sent by email or snail mail. It should be single-spaced.  Check the submission guidelines of the publisher, editor, or agent before sending one. Get the correct names and snail mail address, phone number, and email address. I put all this information in the heading of my draft letter.

Publisher A:
Favorite Publishing Co., Inc
Arnold Q. Like, Editor
350 Broadway
New York, New York 10001
777-666-5555
submissions@favpubco.com

We do not publish children’s books.
We publish adult fiction and non-fiction.
Query us first through snail mail.

Publisher B:
Books of all Kinds Literary Agency,
Susie Q. Doddikins, Agent
5400 Literary Lane
Racine, Wisconsin 33333
555-888-9999
sqd@bklitagency.com

We only represent children’s and adult books.
Query through online form.
We do not accept snail mail submissions.
We will respond within 3 months.

Publisher C:

Short Works Publishing Co.
4444 Jim Dandy Lane
Spiderville, California 77777
444-444-4444
editors@shortworks.com

We represent children and adults short works.
We publish fiction and non-fiction
We publish picture books, chapter books, short stories
We do not publish middle grade, young adult, or adult novels

Email complete manuscript as Word document (doc).
Snail mail is accepted.

Quiz for you:
1. If your manuscript is a fictional children’s picture book about butterflies.
Which publisher/agent above is right for it? Choice A, B, C, or None of these.

  1. If your manuscript is an adult novel, where could you send it?
    Which publisher/agent above is right for it? Choice A, B, C, or None of these.
  2. If you have a short story, where could you send it?
    Which publisher/agent above is right for it? Choice A, B, C, or None of these.

Components of a Good Draft Query Letter

  1. Follows the guidelines of the publisher or agent
  • Heading: Gives all your contact information

Name
Address
Phone Number
Email address
Website/blog

  1. Heading: Gives the name, address, and phone number of agency.
    Gives the exact name of the Editor or Agent you are querying

Name of Agency
Name of Agent
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Guidelines (copy link and text of guidelines into the draft query, take them out in final query to be sent)

  1. First paragraph: Contains your 25 word pitch
  • Second paragraph: Contains a short paragraph similar to the following: I hope you’ll publish my book or I hope you’ll be my agent. I believe you’re right for this book because:
    Tell three reasons or choose the best reason why you want this publisher or agent.
    Tell about your favorite book the publisher or agent published.

You believe Name of Agency or Publisher is the right agent or publisher for your manuscript because

Reason 1. You love the fill in the blank: humor, information, mystery of a book that they wrote or helped get published.

Reason 2. Tell how your book is similar to one of their successful publications.

Reason 3. If the guidelines mention certain interests of publisher or agent, mention it, if it is related to your book.

  1. Tell 3 reasons or choose the best reason why you’re the best person to write this story.
    Give writing credits.
    Tell why you wrote this story.
    Mention your website and/or blog with number of visitors/subscribers each month or year.
  • Question: May I send you? and Thank You Paragraph.
    Thank you for considering my work. May I send you (Name of your manuscript)? I understand according to your guidelines that you will respond in three months. I look forward to hearing from you.
  • Sincerely yours,
    Your Name

SAMPLE QUERY LETTER (Purely Fictional names, addresses, and books)

Stanley Success Bradford
7331 Long Road
Euphoria, Texas 89899
755-333-9999
stanley@success.com
www.stanleyknowspigs.wordpress.com

Books of all Kinds Literary Agency
Susie Q. Doddikins, Agent
5400 Literary Lane
Racine, Wisconsin 33333
555-888-9999
sqd@bklitagency.com

Re: Bradford -“The Pig That Won the Race “

Dear Ms. Doddikins:

Porky hated racing, but entered the race to help save Farmer in the Dell’s farm. He didn’t realize that all contestants had to take a bath. Can a bubble bath entice him to follow through to save the farm or will all the animals be sold?

I like the high quality books and authors you represent as an agent. I especially enjoy the humor and the organization tips in the New York Best Seller, “Feng Shueying Your Pig Sty” by Lisa Swineberg. I read in your blog that you grew up on a farm.

I grew up on a farm, too. We raised pigs. I’ve studied pigs for three years at the University of Pigdom and documented my findings about getting pigs to bathe. I have written ten books on the Best Seller List. My website, www.StanleySuccessBradford.com  and www.bloggingaboutpigs.wordsexpress.com  blog have a thousand visitors each month.

Thank you for considering “The Pig That Won the Race.” May I send you the complete manuscript? I understand that you will send your decision in three months. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Stanley Success Bradford

Here are four other sources with samples and/or information about eye-catching, heart-touching queries.

  1. Allena Tapia. About.com. “A Sample Query:”
    http://freelancewrite.about.com/od/getpublished/a/samplequery.htm
  2. Charlotte Dillon “Query” http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html
  3. Agent Query.com. “How to Write a Query Letter” http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx
  4. Joan Y. Edwards. “Components of a Good Query Letter:” https://www.joanyedwards.com/components-of-a-good-query-letter/
    5. Query Shark http://queryshark.blogspot.com/ 

Good luck with writing your successful query letter.

Never Give Up!
Joan Y. Edwards

Copyright © 2011 Joan Y. Edwards and her licensors.