Middle Grade Magic

In this guest post, author Laura Anne Bird (Crossing the Pressure Line and Marvelous Jackson) shares what she loves most about middle grade fiction. 

I can’t think of one grown-up who wouldn’t benefit from reading a middle-grade novel.

But why would an adult want to crack open a book written for eight- to twelve-year-olds?

Because I think people of all ages, if given the opportunity, will fall in love with this pure, vibrant, stripped-down style of storytelling. It’s the real deal.

Middle-grade fiction is my sweet spot because it gets to the heart of a tender and pivotal period when kids are starting to figure out who, what, and how they want to be in the world, without grown-ups holding their hand all the time.

Do you remember the angst of being a pre-teen? We wanted independence but still needed reassurance from our parents. We wanted to stand out from the crowd but still fit in. Because I’ve raised three kids (who are turning 21, 21, and 18), I know from experience that these competing values can—and do—collide like furious little atoms, which is no fun in real life, but wow, do they prove fantastic for fiction.

Middle-grade novels convey a timelessness that I find deeply appealing. Their themes, for example, tend to be universal and eternal, like what it means to belong, why it’s crucial to speak up against injustice, and how we can become our own best cheerleaders.

Middle-grade novels promote acceptance, tolerance, and empathy. They remind us that everybody struggles in different ways, even if these challenges aren’t visible to others, so it’s good to be kind. Always.

Although middle-grade novels are largely “innocent” (i.e., they don’t contain profanity, sex, or gratuitous violence), they almost always tackle weighty subject matter, including issues yanked right from the headlines. Written with honesty, warmth, and conviction, middle-grade novels trust that kids can handle serious topics. Because they can! Growing up is hard work, and young people are no strangers to conflict and drama.

When I reminisce about growing up in the 1980s, I think of the middle-grade stories that went right to my soul—like Anne of Green Gables, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and A Wrinkle in Time.

These books taught me that I wasn’t alone in my mood swings, friendship struggles, crushes, or awkward physical development. They introduced me to different perspectives and ways of living. Above all, they filled me with the beauty and sway of language. Picking up a middle-grade novel still brings me a sense of wonder and comfort—even as a fifty-year-old. I swear they’re magic.

I would love to hear about your favorite middle-grade novels, whether from childhood or adulthood. Please add your suggestions to the chat below, and if you can’t think of any, don’t fret. My two books, Crossing the Pressure Line and Marvelous Jackson, both published by Orange Hat, fit the bill. Engaging plotlines, meaningful themes, and characters with heart—they’re all in there. I think you’ll love them.

Happy reading!