Young Adult vs Middle-Grade Fantasy
Don’t get us wrong with this one: Anyone can enjoy a good story no matter the age range. Don’t be afraid to pick up a Young Adult book. Inquiring minds still want to know: what are the differences in the types of books for young readers?
What Books Are Considered Young Adult?
Middle-Grade and Young Adult fantasy differ in the age range each is geared towards. Young Adult (or YA) stories are great for readers between 12-18, while middle-grade is more for children ages 8-12. Themes in YA books can be a little advanced for younger readers, including coming-of-age tales with subjects like sexuality, relationships, and teen-centered life decisions. A big factor that helps define a book as MG vs YA is the reading level. YA books will typically have more pages, words, an elevated vocabulary, and are often told in the first person to aid self-reflection for its characters. The characters, or at least the protagonists, are most often teens in the age range of 15-18. To put it simply, Young Adult reading is for teenagers.
What Makes a Book Middle Grade?
Middle-Grade (MG) books are targeted toward a slightly younger audience. The age range here is usually 8-12. For our younger readers, you’ll find that the themes of the stories are less intense than YA. The main focuses are building friendships, relationships with family members, and real-life situations that revolve around these things. You may find a bit of romantic implications in MG, but it’s more centered around feelings and experiencing them for the first time, like first crushes or hand holding. MG books still feature incredible storytelling, but won’t feature the same themes entirely, and they’ll approach them a little differently. Kids graduating from picture books and into wordier works will land here.
Can Younger Kids Read Young Adult Books?
Yes! The age ranges are merely suggestions and aren’t really meant to be a strict guide to who should be reading what genre. Some things to consider when deciding what book is best for younger readers include: what are the themes of the book? Will this book be too taxing on the emotions of the reader? Will this reader connect with the book the same way they do MG books? Is the book too lengthy for the reader to tackle? Knowing the reader will be the best guidance you have when deciding on a great book for them.
Are There Young Adult or Middle-Grade Books That Are Not Fantasy?
There are so many books out there that aren’t necessarily Middle-Grade Fantasy or Young Adult fantasy. In fact, fiction doesn’t always mean fantasy books! If you’re looking for some options that aren’t fantasy, here are some lists to help you out:
Must read Middle-Grade Fiction:
Roller Girl - Victoria Jamieson
In The Beautiful Country - Jane Kuo
Star Fish - Lisa Fipps
Slacker - Gordon Korman
Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbit
Must read Young Adult books:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before - Jenny Han
Heartstopper - Alice Oseman
You’ll Be the Death of Me - Karen M. McManus
Looking For Alaska - John Green
The most important thing to keep in mind here is if it interests you, read it! Sure, there are some things to consider when a younger reader wants to take a step ahead but with the right book, there’s no harm in it. After all, the best books you’ll read might be a little out of your comfort zone.
