What Makes Middle-Grade Fiction Magical

 

Middle grade fiction is fiction written for children between the ages of 8 to 12. Books like Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and the Famous Five series fall firmly under this category. While middle grade fiction is written for kids, it doesn’t mean that adults can’t read it or it is not worth your time if you are an adult. Middle grade is where some of the most poignant, powerful and transformative stories are shelved. Most middle grade books that children love end up having a monumental impact on their lives. As a child, I remember wishing that I was more like George and could relate to her tom boyish nature and her love for dogs. Without further ado, let’s leap right into what makes middle grade fiction magical below.

Everything Seems Possible

Middle grade is fiction for children and most stories are told from a child’s point of view. This means that the protagonists of these books are often more creative and curious than adult protagonists. There is a sense that everything is possible and the use of imagination and play makes these stories cozy and a great way to escape the adult world if you are reading middle grade as an adult. With larger than life friendships, fears and identities, these stories have a magic that is unique to this genre that keeps readers hooked and even adults engaged if written well.

Emotional and Expressive

Though these stories often don’t have romance elements, they have friendships that feel authentic, school problems that feel like they are life and death issues and sometimes protagonists struggling to fit in with their peers, which is something that children and sometimes even adults can relate to. Middle grade fiction offers children a safe space to understand their emotions better through relatable characters.

The Perfect Balance of Adventure and Heart

While most middle grade books deal with fantastical elements like secret doors, talking animals and quests of epic proportions, these stories are often imbued with emotional truths that are universal to children by representing things like fear, courage and the challenges of growing up.

Relatable Characters

We all have a favourite character from a middle grade book be it Harry or Peter, these characters offered us a way to see the world from another person's perspective as well as offering a relatable perspective of the challenges we all faced as middle graders. Most middle grade characters are imperfect, curious and brave. They are not flawless but make mistakes and have to learn from them. Well executed middle grade book characters feel like real kids and not tiny adults.

Focuses on Meaningful Themes

Middle grade fiction focuses on powerful and meaningful themes like belonging, friendship, loyalty, courage, self discovery, family relationships, and moral implications through the challenges the characters face and the actions and measures they take when they face these issues. 

Simple But Impactful Language

One of the key perks of middle grade fiction is that the best middle grade books use clear and vivid storytelling. These stories when executed well use strong imagery without complicating things. Middle grade books are fast paced so that the young readers are engaged and keep turning the pages to know what comes next. 

Scary But Not Overwhelming

Middle grade fiction involves danger but it is carefully balanced without being graphic or emotionally crushing and involves mostly unlikely events and creatures like monsters, mysteries, dark forests, and supernatural villains. These events and situations are written in such a way that the scary parts don’t hold too much power over the child and they feel that the danger is contained. 

Teach Kids to See the Magical in the Mundane

One of the key magical aspects of middle grade fiction especially middle grade fantasy which is a popular genre among middle graders is the existence of magic in the mundane. For example wardrobes that lead to otherworlds, schools hiding secrets, attics, forests, libraries acting as magical gateways. 

The Power of Friendship

Unlike adult and YA fiction, where romance plays a large role, friendship is what steers the boat when it comes to middle grade fiction. Friendships carry the emotional weight, especially those who are close friends with the protagonist of the story. Things like loyalty, jealousy, teamwork and betrayal are explored in these stories. Middle grade books often feature the found family trope too. 

Growth and Innocence Go Hand in Hand

Middle grader characters grow but they don’t become cynical. They learn lessons, face challenges but they never give up hope and in the power of goodness. This makes reading middle grade imbue the life of the reader with a sense of hope and reminds the adults and middle graders the power of hope. 

The Villains Are Often Symbolic

In most middle grade stories, villains are symbols for fear, control, loneliness, greed and misunderstanding. They are more than just purely evil people. They often embody emotional truths the protagonist must face and overcome. 

Humor Plays A Key Role

Even though middle grade fiction explores serious themes and situations, the tension is often broken down through the use of humor, silly and witty side characters that lighten the mood and an engaging narrative that keeps the readers hooked. Humor allows children to process emotional themes safely. 

They Aren’t Preachy

Middle grade fiction that resonates with kids doesn't talk down to kids. Instead the virtues are shown through the actions of the characters without being explained and through showing the consequences that result from mistakes without lecturing children on what to do and what not to do. 

These are some of the key reasons that make middle grade fiction magical and worth exploring even if you are an adult. The aspects highlighted above make middle grade stories powerful and give them staying power. I hope you found this article informative and interesting and motivated you to pick up a middle grade book even if you are an adult who hasn’t picked up one in ages. Remember you are never too old to enjoy a good book, even middle grade books!