A thread currently under discussion on the boards at Vermont College has to do with the age of the protagonist of middle grade novels.
I have a real interest in this, since I've written a middle grade novel and most reviewers tell me they have trouble with the character's age. He acts much younger than his years, at least in the world I created. He is ADD, and kids who are ADD tend to be less mature than their peers, but that's no excuse for incorrect or age-inappropriate dialogue.
So what to do? I've done a survey of contemporary books that feature characters of the same age. Boy, do they vary! One character reads Shakespeare, another goes to boot camp, a third has dyslexia and can scarcely read anything at all. Girls tend to be more mature in general; boys tend to be more active (duh).
I'd love to hear from anyone who has thoughts on this one. So much of what kids have to read in school in middle grade/early high years is OLD - like Dickens-old - and though I love Dickens, his voice is not exactly contemporary. What is it that tweens, especially tween boys, like to read (other than the obvious fantasy/science fiction)? Who do they like as characters?
As a footnote, here in Texas, we are grateful that Gustav was not what it could have been, and we are keeping fingers crossed for our neighbors in Louisiana.
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The age thing does seem to be a huge discussion point in MG/YA novels. It seems almost to do with content and what situations characters are put in.
And I don't think there is any right answer.
Isn't this fun!
I agree. Situations are first; but these younger MGs are really tough, and seem to have more to do with voice. I wish I could be invisible and sit in a junior high cafeteria for a week at lunch!
Voice is everything. But the age of the voice is different to everyone too. Look at Clementine-she's supposed to be a third grader, 9 years old. But there's no way a 9 year old speaks the way she does. Yet, it's a really good book and kids love it! So go figure! I think as long as your character is believable, they can pull off anything. Another example is Millicent Min, Girl Genius. She's 11 and going into her senior year in HS. No way an 11 year old sounds like Millicent, but in her case we believe it. It's all about the character you've created and if their voice is true to that character.
That's a great point, Dawn. I've been puzzling this notion for days - wrote one of my essays on it - and it still is elusive. That makes me thing that especially in middle grade years all kids are unique.
Actually, I don't think Clementine works all the time, because the voice is off. But I love the books, nevertheless. And the character. So I think you've nailed it - make the character real, no matter the age.
That's a great point, Dawn. I've been puzzling this notion for days - wrote one of my essays on it - and it still is elusive. That makes me thing that especially in middle grade years all kids are unique.
Actually, I don't think Clementine works all the time, because the voice is off. But I love the books, nevertheless. And the character. So I think you've nailed it - make the character real, no matter the age.
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