Lesson 6 of 7 Free account 4 min read
Writing Middle Grade and Young Adult
Middle grade and young adult are both novels for young readers, but they differ in voice, themes, content and the way the hero relates to the world. Learn how to write each, what is age-appropriate, and how to plan for a series.
Key takeaways
- Middle grade is about finding your place in your world; young adult is about figuring out who you are and where you are going.
- Voice is the single most important element in both, and it has to sound like a real kid of that age, not an adult remembering.
- Middle grade can tackle hard subjects, but with hope and a focus on family, friends and school; YA can go darker and more complex.
- Plan a series by giving each book a complete arc while leaving the world and the characters room to grow.
Middle grade and young adult novels share a shelf in many bookstores, and writers often confuse them. They are different categories with different readers. A ten-year-old and a sixteen-year-old want very different things from a story, and the way you write for each needs to reflect that.
What Is the Difference Between Middle Grade and Young Adult?
Middle grade readers are roughly 8 to 12, and their protagonists are usually 10 to 13. Their stories tend to look outward: friendships, family, school, the neighborhood, adventures in a wider world. The core question is often "Where do I fit?" Young adult readers are roughly 12 and up, with protagonists usually 14 to 18. Their stories look inward: identity, independence, first love, the future. The core question is often "Who am I, and who do I want to be?"
- Middle grade: protagonist about 10 to 13, family usually present, focus on friends and belonging, ends with hope, romance at most a crush.
- Young adult: protagonist about 14 to 18, more independence from parents, focus on identity and choices, endings can be bittersweet, romance and relationships often central.
- Both: fast pacing, a clear voice, and a hero who drives the plot.
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