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Middle Grade Readers
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From: Monica Edinger <monicaedinger_at_gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:19:32 -0400
Inspired by the current topic I wrote a blog post, The Care and Feeding of Middle Grade Readers. I began by considering how to define middle grade readers, writing:
I see middle grade readers as those in grades 4-6, so approximately ages 9-12. These are kids who have the nuts and bolts of reading under their belts and are now able to focus more exclusively on content; kids who are working out the sort of readers they are, exploring different genres, seeing the pleasure of reading; kids who are heading we hope toward a lifetime of reading."
After considering in more depth just what appeals to middle grade readers I went on to attempt to determine just what a great middle grade book is (using *Charlotte's Web* as a stellar model). Here's a taste of what I had to say:
Unique and engaging plots, empathetic and well-developed characters, and well-crafted sentences all figure into what I admire most in works of fiction for this age group.
Finally I discussed ten books from this year and last that epitomize middle grade books for me. Some have already been mentioned here, but I will list them below. I do invite you to visit the post to read more about what I had to say about on this topic.
Five from last year: *The Cheshire Cheese Cat * by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright. *Dead End in Norvelt* by Jack Gantos. *Inside Out and Back Again * by Thanhha Lai.* * *The Grand Plan to Fix Everything* by Uma Krishnaswami. *Wonderstruck* by Brian Selznick.
Five from this year: *Deadweather and Sunrise* by Geoff Rodkey. *Fake Mustache* by Tom Angleberger. *Three Times Lucky * by Sheila Turnage. *Wonder * by R. J. Palacio. *Liar & Spy* by Rebecca Stead.
Monica
Monica Edinger 600 West 111th Street Apt 2A New York NY 10025 educating alice _at_medinger on twitter My Huffington Post Blog
Received on Mon 09 Jul 2012 05:19:32 PM CDT
Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:19:32 -0400
Inspired by the current topic I wrote a blog post, The Care and Feeding of Middle Grade Readers. I began by considering how to define middle grade readers, writing:
I see middle grade readers as those in grades 4-6, so approximately ages 9-12. These are kids who have the nuts and bolts of reading under their belts and are now able to focus more exclusively on content; kids who are working out the sort of readers they are, exploring different genres, seeing the pleasure of reading; kids who are heading we hope toward a lifetime of reading."
After considering in more depth just what appeals to middle grade readers I went on to attempt to determine just what a great middle grade book is (using *Charlotte's Web* as a stellar model). Here's a taste of what I had to say:
Unique and engaging plots, empathetic and well-developed characters, and well-crafted sentences all figure into what I admire most in works of fiction for this age group.
Finally I discussed ten books from this year and last that epitomize middle grade books for me. Some have already been mentioned here, but I will list them below. I do invite you to visit the post to read more about what I had to say about on this topic.
Five from last year: *The Cheshire Cheese Cat * by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright. *Dead End in Norvelt* by Jack Gantos. *Inside Out and Back Again * by Thanhha Lai.* * *The Grand Plan to Fix Everything* by Uma Krishnaswami. *Wonderstruck* by Brian Selznick.
Five from this year: *Deadweather and Sunrise* by Geoff Rodkey. *Fake Mustache* by Tom Angleberger. *Three Times Lucky * by Sheila Turnage. *Wonder * by R. J. Palacio. *Liar & Spy* by Rebecca Stead.
Monica
Monica Edinger 600 West 111th Street Apt 2A New York NY 10025 educating alice _at_medinger on twitter My Huffington Post Blog
Received on Mon 09 Jul 2012 05:19:32 PM CDT
