Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme, hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books & Dani @ Literary Lion, where we discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts. It’s supposed to be posted on Friday, but being on time is hard and it’s better late than never.

This week’s topic is the popularity of YA, but I actually did a similar post about why adults do (and should) read YA a couple years ago, and I didn’t think I had anything much to add. So I decided to tackle a complementary topic today and discuss middle grade (MG).

As a librarian, I’ve noticed it’s growing more and more common for me to see adults unapologetically checking out YA books, and it does my little bookish heart some good to see. However, I think there’s more work that needs to be done on the middle grade side. There seems to be a lot of stigmas surrounding adults reading middle grade, so how about we start there, shall we? Let’s correct some misconceptions.

Deconstructing the Excuses

It’s too young for me. It’s under my reading level.

Fun fact: reading level is a myth after you hit a certain point. Well … it’s kind of a myth at every point, but that’s a discussion for another time. Once you’re an adult, you no longer have a reading level. You have books that you enjoy and books you don’t.

The fact of reading levels is that they produce diminishing returns. A reader will forever continue to improve and learn new things as long as they keep reading, but there’s no real benefit to an adult to reading only adult books.

If an adult happens to enjoy reading adult books, that’s one thing. Enjoyment is a legitimate reason. But as parents are so fond of telling their children … how do you know you don’t like middle grade unless you give it a fair chance?

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I have nothing to gain from reading middle grade.

Well, this is just silly. First, you’ll be reading! Reading is a reward in itself. Your brain will thank you. But second, there are so many things middle grade has to offer that adult books just don’t, especially because they focus on different tropes and concerns.

These seems like an excuse used to justify not giving it a try, which we’ve already established the parent voice in all of us is highly critical of.

Admit it, you’ve got that voice in the back of your head that sounds vaguely like an authority figure in your life that tells you when you’re being silly, even if you don’t want to consciously admit it. A voice of reason, if you will. Middle grade is fantastic for so many reasons, which we’ll cover later in this post, but suffice it to say that if this is your attitude, it’s because you either haven’t tried it or haven’t found the right middle grade book yet. Not all middle grade books are made equal.

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The characters are too immature.

This may be a legitimate criticism, and I certainly find that’s the case with some fantasy. After all, the books are geared, first and foremost, towards children, who deserve to see themselves represented in literature. And surprise! Children are sometimes immature. Fact of life.

The beauty of middle grade is that even if the characters are immature, they usually recognize it and overcome it (which is something I dare say more adults can learn). More than that, though, there are plenty of middle grade books where the characters are more mature than adults I know.

I’m not sure if that’s a commentary about middle grade books or if I need to choose my friends better, but it’s what it is. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Here’s a secret for you: even adults can be immature. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found immature characters in adult books, too. It’s one of the common base emotions in all of us. But generally only in middle grade is it seen for what it is: a learning experience to grow and do better.

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It’s just so boring.

This … may be a valid criticism? Huh. Look at me, stealing my own thunder. The truth is that middle grade isn’t going to be for every adult, and that’s okay. Buuuut … hear me out. Are you sure you find ALL middle grade to be boring?

Trying one middle grade book and writing them all off isn’t enough. Middle grade isn’t a genre, it’s a an age category, so if you didn’t like the one you read … well, try a different genre.

Just like everything else, there are different flavors of middle grade. Rocky Road isn’t for you? Give cookie dough a try. Why not? There are definitely middle grade books that end up not being for me, but on the other hand, some of my favorite books I’ve read have been middle grade. Like everything else in life that’s subjective, keep trying until something sticks.

Benefits of reading MG

So now that we’ve gotten some the excuses for not reading MG out of the way, let’s talk about why adults should read middle grade.

It increases empathy and understanding.

Actually, it’s been proven that reading, in general, has this effect, but especially when you’re reading from the point of view of someone who’s different from you. Let’s face it, we’re all old, cranky, jaded creatures who have suffered one too many trips around the sun. Sometimes it’s easy to forget what it was like to be a kid, and middle grade is a quick, easy reminder. Plus, there’s nothing quite as great as the nostalgia of finding a character that’s so similar to a younger you that it brings back all the memories from when you were that age. Hopefully, they’re not too embarrassing.

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Model positive reading behavior for young readers in your life.

When kids see you reading, they’re much more likely to read, because it’s normalized for them. But guess what? I have no scientific study to prove this, but I’d warrant a guess that when a kid who looks up to and respects you sees you reading a book that they could actually read … it makes them at least slightly more likely to actually pick it up.

Minion isn’t a particularly avid reader, but I keep a steady stream of middle grade books in the house, and I usually tell her about the one I’m reading, and she’s gone out of her way to pick them up after because I seemed to enjoy them. It’s also just a really special thing to be able to share with the children in your life. Which leads me to my next point …

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Buddy read with your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephew, etc.

This is easier than ever, especially in the time of COVID. I’ve got older friends who are down because they don’t get to see their grandkids because one of them has severe health problems and the risk is too great, so I suggested they read together virtually, and they’ve loved it! Just because kids aren’t that little “bedtime story” anymore doesn’t mean there isn’t benefits to be had from reading together (including just plain old fun).

Minion and I try to have an ongoing buddy read at all times. Sometimes we don’t make much progress on it, when life gets busy, but it’s just special time for us, it convinces her to read, and we get to experience something together. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to trick reluctant readers into enjoying reading and even looking forward to it.

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Middle grade seems to effectively have a monopoly on fun, whimsical worlds.

Probably because the adults’ whimsical worlds all systematically crumbled over the monotony of daily life and debt and tax and adulthood. But I digress. In fact, there are quite a few things that middle grade seems to have that adult books don’t.

Unique things found in middle grade:

• Absolutely unapologetic, laugh-out-loud humor.
• Half novel, half graphic novel … because words and pictures were always meant to be together.
• Whimsical worlds that are fun, funny, and don’t always have to make sense.
• Magic that doesn’t need a purpose other than being magical.
• Big emotions broken down into bite-sized chunks to be properly chewed and digested.
• Stunning explorations of the self and relations to others, including how each person impacts the greater world, for better or worse.
• Adventure that is just adventurous without needing an excuse.
• Light-hearted works with big emotional impacts.
• Books that are quick reads, yet memorable enough to stay with you.

Of course, oftentimes it’s the combination of these things that make middle grade books truly magical, but I think you get the point.

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Why deny yourself something you might enjoy just because of a perceived age rating?!

Let me tell you, that FOR SURE has never stopped me whenever Minion gets new toys. I mean … I would be derelict in my parenting duty if I didn’t check to make sure they weren’t malfunctioning or dangerous, right?! *cough*

A lot of people who end up giving it a try do end up enjoying middle grade, and why wouldn’t you want that for yourself? Isn’t that the point of reading? If middle grade isn’t it for you and you don’t enjoy it, then that’s fair, but if all that’s stopping you is some sort of stigma, go for it anyway. Who knows, you might just find your next favorite read.

Great Middle Grade Reads for Adults:

Want to give middle grade a chance and not quite sure where to get started? I’ve got you covered.

For fans of contemporary:

                   

For fans of horror:

                   

For fans of humor:

           

For fans of mystery:

       

For fans of sci-fi/fantasy:

               

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