What is the difference between a middle grade book and a young adult book? I researched several websites, one of which surveyed editors and agents who work with both Middle Grade (MG) and Young Adult (YA) writers to find the answers.
I summarized the findings and compared it to my novel to see where my fantasy novel would fit.
|
Middle Grade |
Young Adult |
My Book |
|
| Age of Reader | 8 to 12 | 13+ | Not entirely sure… |
| Word Count | Up to 60,000 | 60,000+ | Currently 82,000 but still editing |
| Age of Protagonist | 10 to 13 | 14 to 18 | 13 |
| Point of View | Third | First | Third |
| Protagonist’s Concerns | Own experience | Others as well as themselves | Others as well as herself |
| Inciting Element | Single inciting element that throws their world into chaos | Find out world is more complex than they thought | Finds out world is more complex than she thought |
| Romance | Does not play a large part in the plot; first kiss | Takes up much more of the story; can involve sex | Plays a small part in the story; first kiss |
There is some overlap in the readers ages since some novels with milder plots and a 14 year-old main character could appeal to middle grade reader even though it would be classified as YA in the chart above.
The story line of middle grade protagonists tend to focus on what happens to them than with internal growth. Young adult story lines are more complex and generally have a character arc that shows how the events in the novel changed their attitudes and thinking.
Image via Amy Messere Flickr Creative Commons
Taboo Content?
Most of the editors and agents surveyed agreed that no topic is taboo, whether it is sex, drugs, violence, domestic abuse or any other risque subjects.
What is important is how the subject matter is handled. A middle grade novel should not contain any graphic descriptions, but shouldn’t avoid difficult material either.
In fact, young people can use books as a safe way to explore these sensitive or edgy subjects.
Julia Satu 