From: Susan Polos <spolos_at_optonline.net>
Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2012 14:19:07 -0400

I think of middle grade fiction as skewing slightly younger than grades 4 through 8, but reading level and the reader's personal/social development are more relevant than the reader's designated grade. I think of these as books for readers who are moving on from books that they are excited simply to be able to read (e.g. Horrible Harry or Cam Jansen) to books with more complex characters and plots. Middle grade books offer readers the chance to learn more about themselves and others in a broader and deeper way than the simple books that they've read up to this point. Great middle grade fiction has multi-dimensional characters who can't be defined by one or two traits. My favorite recent middle grade books include The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate and Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I am currently reading Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood and One for the Murphys by Linda Mullaly Hunt will be next up. There really are so many wonderful books for middle grade readers being published now.

Susan Polos School Librarian Mt. Kisco Elementary School 47 W. Hyatt Avenue Mt. Kisco, NY 10549 914 666-2677 spolos0882_at_bcsdny.org
Received on Thu 05 Jul 2012 02:19:07 PM CDT