For MMGM: What Does the Perfect Middle Grade Novel Look Like?

One week ago I attended the SCBWI Carolinas conference, and had such a great time! It’s been a couple years since I’ve been able to drive down and participate in all three days, and it was great to have the time this year to see (almost) everyone I wanted to see and spend more time both attending panels and catching up. I also made or cemented some great connections within the industry, which is always a win-win! Here’s a pic of me and a couple chums grabbing a late late dinner after closing up the book store.

scbwi-carolinas-2016-z-with-jenny-and-gwen

However, what I wanted to share with ya’ll is a fascinating list that was put together by one of the agents in attendance, Stephen Fraser. He taught a panel which explored what elements the perfect MG novel includes, and I’m sharing both for writers and readers, because I think these books are worth looking at! Here’s a link to the full bibliography (which does include a couple adult novels) that he shared with us, and which I’m sharing with his permission, because my truncated list can’t do justice to them all.

And here’s the shortened list, matched up with a writing strength each book illustrates, as I’ve been able to reconstruct from my notes:

  •  Charlotte’s Web: Masterfully crafted prose. Think about word choices on subsequent rounds and make sure each word belongs precisely where it is.
  • Stone Fox: Drama! Make it real, give it a satisfying twist. Remember you can write about anything (death, etc.) at any reader’s level if you adjust the emotional weight.
  • The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles: Imagination. Go all out, let the imagination ride high!
  • The Clockwork Three: Don’t be afraid to mix genres.
  • Heart of a Samurai: Bring history to life. Nonfiction can read like fiction when you breath life into the subject.
  • Holes: Use humor. Take extra time in the writing if necessary because humor can take a challenging subject and make it work on additional levels.
  • James and the Giant Peach: Be unapologetic. Don’t try to make your story something it’s not!
  • Junonia: Write to the age level. Write not only to the category but to the interest and ability of the reader.
  • Missing May: Make place a character. Transport the reader so they feel they’ve actually been there.
  • Sarah Plain and Tall: Make each word resonate. Make writing image rich and weighty, like poetry.
  • The Secret Garden: Infuse with joy. At it’s best a book is not overburdened, and joy springs from the pages.
  • Harry Potter Books: Don’t obsess about length.

You’ll get your own mileage from these, and I must confess that I personally don’t plan to set word count guides aside until my books are selling like Harry Potter novels (hey, I can dream, right? :)), but I do think there’s something to be gained by taking a long look at each of these books to see what each can illustrate for us. As a reader, I know I benefit from varying my usual choices, and reading books outside my comfort zone. I know that’s equally true for me as a writer. The more widely I read, the better I’m able to steal and borrow the amazing techniques that are tucked away in these other books!

I asked Apricot-kitty what she thought of the list, but she’s become enamored with storm-watching since Hurricane Matthew went over our heads*, and couldn’t be dragged away to comment. Hopefully she’ll be ready to offer her two bits next week!

apricot-hurricane-obsessed

In the mean time, head over to Shannon Messenger’s blog for the full round up of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday reviews, giveaways and helpful blogs, and as always, happy reading!

MMGM2

 

*Honestly, the hurricane didn’t so much pass over our heads as brushed by us. We got lots of rain but were some of the lucky few who retained power, and the kitty’s disdain for rain aside, are doing great!

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21 Comments

  1. Reply

    Superb list, Suzanne, and wonderful to rsee as that you made it to the conference. Nothing gets the energy and creativity flowing like SCBWI conferences!

  2. Reply

    I have only read three of the ones on the list but have made a note to read the rest. Conferences are fun and help energize yourself for future writing projects. I’m glad you made it through the rain. So much devastation especially in North Carolina.

    • Reply

      Yeah, it’s really sad. We’re keeping an eye on both the Carolina’s coasts, since the beach is our heart home.

      Glad to hear the list will be useful to you!

  3. Reply

    You’ve presented a fabulous list! I finally attended my first ‘in-person’ conference this past April. The energy there was fantastic.

    • Reply

      I’m so happy for you! Getting to conferences can feel like pushing a fully-loaded car up a mountain, but I’m always glad when I make it. Enjoy the list!

    • Reply

      Isn’t that great advice? Not holding back is something I think many of us struggle with.
      Make sure you say Hi, if you make it to this next year’s!

  4. Reply

    Glad to hear you survived Hurricane Matthew! I love SCBWI conferences. They’re always so inspiring. And I learned so much from all the NJ conferences I’ve attended. Thanks so much for sharing your “truncated” list — it’s still quite helpful. I’ve read ten of these, so I found myself smiling and nodding in agreement at the advice.

  5. Reply

    I’m only at six or seven, and not surprised you’ve read so many! As I said to Sandy, some day you and I need to attend the same conference. 😀

  6. Reply

    I’m so happy you had such a great time at the conference! Great link. I’m not surprised you focused on Stephen Fraser. I’ve heard him speak at the SCBWI conference in NYC or LA. So much wisdom in his words. Thank you for passing along the information, as many of us know the authors and their books.

    • Reply

      You are so welcome, and I’m glad it was of use! It seemed like the kind of list that could be tucked in the back pocket and used over and over, to me. 🙂

  7. Reply

    Sounds like a great conference! I’ve read a few of these, not as many as Joanne though! I also liked the longer list you shared and will be making my way through these, looking for the elements you mentioned. Thanks so much for sharing with all of us.

  8. Reply

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