I first posted on this over a year ago, and sad to report that not much has changed except this: middle graders in the US have fallen behind on reading skills.
It’s very clear that Covid had a large negative impact on education as a whole, and it hasn’t been helped by budget cutbacks, teacher shortages, and book bans in schools and libraries.
I believe it’s up to us to keep making books for these readers at all levels of reading experience and competency – books that engage and excite, books that entertain and enlighten. Our books are very much needed.
Stats on Sales
I’m a dedicated fan of middle grade, ever since it emerged as an actual age niche in reading levels. As a kid who graduated from Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie with almost nothing in between, I fell in love with middle grade when it emerged as a force just as my son reached that reading age.
And for most of those years middle grade has enjoyed increasing popularity.
But for the past three years, sales of middle grade in all formats (hardcover, softcover, audio, e-book) have been down. And that negative trend is continuing.
Moreover, there are indications that middle grade readers have lost interest in reading for pleasure - or aren’t being given books that interest them. Book bans and the weaponization of anti-library tactics are not helping.
What’s Going On?
Part of the problem is the cost of books. Hardcover first printings are expensive for middle grade readers, so until their books are out in paperback, they may only have access to new books through libraries.
Further, middle grade readers tend to “read up” (witness my 13-year-old-self hiding in the bathtub to read Agatha Christie). This means that the noted age gap between what some publishers want in middle grade – a 12-year-old protagonist – doesn’t fit the readership.
Many agents and authors have noticed that, where before the pandemic it was typical to get 5 to 6 trade reviews, we’re now lucky to get 2, and that “review shrinkage” has resulted in less coverage (speaking from personal experience – this is truly frustrating.)
And of course, authors were all prevented from engaging in school visits – not only a source of income but an essential way to spread the word about our books. School visits have barely rebounded.
So… What to Do?
As an author, I have thoughts, and so do many in the industry.
Because of the price point issue, I believe more than ever that we should all be pushing for simultaneous hardcover/paperback releases. If you have an agent, I suggest talking to them about that possibility right up front. I’m even willing to go so far as to endorse paperback originals. In the middle grade space, hardcovers are great for libraries, but that gap can be filled by library bindings/limited hardcover originals, and possibly shorter timelines between hard and softcover releases.
This means negotiations around advances and earn outs and percentages, but I think it’s high time for rethinking the way things have always been done in publishing.
Let’s also discuss the age range issue. Why do all MG protagonists have to be 12? What’s wrong with MG characters who are 13 or even 14? Ratchet up the language and complexity of the story, and don’t yet cross the boundary into YA content, but I think we need books for those readers. I think an “upper middle grade” reading category is coming.
And we should all be supporting, writing, endorsing graphic novels. As the mother of a dyslexic son, I finally broke the barrier with him with early graphic novels and comics. At that time I had to choose carefully; now there is a plethora of options.
Recently there’s been a discussion about book length. As an author whose middle grade word counts have ranged from 35K to 90K book length really only matters as to what’s needed to create a great story. I love reading shorter books with short chapters. So do many kids.
But Speaking of Middle Grade…
My next book, The Mystery of Mystic Mountain, will be out October 22. It’s a middle grade story set in an aging Montana dude ranch, where a group of kids hunt for the lost treasure of an outlaw named Pearlhandle Pete, following Pete’s clues, riddles, puzzles, and maps. Plus, there are ghosts and threats from a nefarious social media star. Super fun for all ages. You can preorder right now, and preorder here for signed copies. (I love that excellent cover by Yaoyao Ma Van As.)
Publisher’s Weekly said, “Thoughtful conversations about death, friendship, shifting family dynamics, and the power of storytelling permeate this frothy summer adventure by Fox , which bristles with gentle thrills and chills.”
Kirkus said, “Against a rural Western backdrop, rumors of a hidden treasure pull two young people into an adventure…Vivid, poetic descriptions bring the setting and characters into focus, and the mystery maintains a strong pace…A well-written mystery adventure bolstered by high stakes and a burgeoning friendship.”
The age of my protagonist? Almost 13, and the boy she develops a crush on is a year older, so I’m pushing into that “upper middle grade” category.
As always, keep writing - we need your books!
I have friends who are teen librarians and school librarians and they're saying the same thing - there is a deep need for upper middle grade books to fill the gap between middle grade and YA. A step between Harry Potter and A Crown of Thorn and Roses. This need is real!!
The incredible Neal Shusterman has succeeded in that "upper MG" category, but he's an established (and famous) author. Oh, how I would love to follow in his footsteps and write an MG featuring a 13-14 year old.
Your upcoming book sounds wonderful!