I write middle grade novels. Like with any classification, there is always a murky middle ground; when something fits in between two categories, like middle grade books. What age is it for? I had always heard, and thought, that it was for grades 3-5ish. Young adult was for 6-12 depending on subject matter and student's reading level. But when I submitted my 'middle grade' series Evolution Revolution (Simple Machines, Simple Plans, Simple Lessons) which is based on the 3rd or 4th grade science curriculum (simple machines), I've been told that my books are "too young for middle grade." It seems publishers and editors have a different view of what middle grade reading is; they consider 6th-8th grade as middle grade, and 9th-12th as young adult. So where does that leave 3rd-5th graders? This group is past picture books, but not quite ready for a heftier novel. We need a new classification; maybe 'elementary reader'? While my books can be enjoyed by any age (hey, animals outsmarting humans without radioactive potions to make them super ninja turtles, so maybe it could happen...?) editors, agents, booksellers, publishers, distributors, schools, libraries, and even parents want an age classification.
I don't see any changes forthcoming, and opinions are so diverse that I guess I'm going to have to start the 'evolution' of book classification. Whenever anyone asks me what ages I write for, I'm going to say new adult, young adult and elementary.
Let the evolution, or revolution, begin.
Char
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