July 28th Transcript

KDuBayGillis Ok, ladies and gentlemen. . . I'm hosting #MGLitchat tonight with @rachelnseigel! Welcome!! Topic: What is the age of your MG audience? -6:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto Looking forward to my very first #MGlitchat -6:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz And the clock says....it's time! #mglitchat -6:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer RT @KDuBayGillis: Ok, ladies and gentlemen. . . I'm hosting #MGLitchat tonight with @rachelnseigel! Welcome!! Topic: What is the age of your MG audience? -7:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk Hi Brian! Welcome! #mglitchat -7:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis What age is your intended MG audience and why? #MGLitchat -7:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly Yeah! *rubs hands together* Here we go! #mglitchat -7:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari Yay! Glad to be back for my second #mglitchat 5th grade teacher from Ohio here! #mglitchat -7:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull this is my first mg chat. Excited! #mglitchat -7:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Lined up and waiting to share another great mg chat! So grateful to have this new chat available :) #mglitchat -7:01 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @ErinStull Welcome! It's fast and furious, but a lot of fun! #mglitchat -7:01 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi #MGlitchat Mine is 12 and up. The main characters (twins) in my novel are 13. -7:01 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone I just entered #MGlitchatenterhashtagtofollow and couldn't figure out why no one was there. It took a few seconds. *snort* #MGlitchat -7:01 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk I've been told by agents that my mg is considered Upper Middle Grade. My mc is 15. #mglitchat -7:01 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly My intended audience is 4th to 5th graders. Mainly because that's the grade levels I've taught & I feel I know what they want. #mglitchat -7:01 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa Hi folks! we're off and running #mglitchat -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress Tonights #mglitchat topic: RT @KDuBayGillis: What age is your intended MG audience and why? #mglitchat -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

themediabunny Hi #MGlitchat . My attention will be split between you all and the premiere of Project Runaway! *multitasking* -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz I've noticed that there is a huge difference between an 8yo reader and a 12yo reader. #mglitchat -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly My main chatacters are usually 12-14 yeas old. #mglitchat -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull I'll try to be ready.:) I have my recovering puppy on my lap...so, that could prove difficult. #mglitchat -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress Hi Everyone - It's our first #mglitchat too and we're very excited! #mglitchat -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore #MGLitchat I'm going for the 5th & 6th graders cuz they're just starting to appreciate sarcastic humor (which I love) -7:02 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @AnshaKotyk Interesting. I had a 15 yr old character and was told too old for middle grade #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel #MGlitchat Hey everybody. I come at this from a buyer/bookseller perspective dealing with schools- Upper MG is our hardest area to place -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari My target grade level is 4th -6th - My MC has just started 5th grade - I personally love that age range #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi WHY: There's so much potential in young teens - the sense you can do anything. #MGlitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone I'm definitely an upper MG. #MGlitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress We publish for kids age 9-13 (give or take), but our sweet spot are the 10-11 year olds, 5th/6th grade #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @WaldenPondPress Welcome to the chat! #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore Very true. #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WriterRoss Current WIP: Upper MG mss for me. 11, 12, older. But have younger MGs in the ol' computer files as well. #MGlitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis So it sounds like we have a lot of upper MG folks here tonight. I'm in that boat, too, with an MC that turns 13 in my WIP. #MGLitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto My new book and my WIP are 3rd/4th grade; not planned so much as that's what my characters demanded #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari 4th - 6th graders are very loyal to the books they love and such enthusiastic readers #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull I've been told kids enjoy reading about slightly older characters... #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

chorkie So glad to have #mglitchat! -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress I think that 10-11 yr old age range is magical. #mglitchat -7:03 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa I write for 9-12 yo. For some reason I can't think in terms of school levels #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone Why? To satisfy the kid in me. I'm writing for my 12 yr-old self. #MGlitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @jmaschari YES! #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @smozer Interesting. I thought 15 was considered YA until 1 editor and 2 agents informed me. Upper Middle is what it was. #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

brianwyzlic I teach 12-14 yo, and the hardest thing is finding books for them. Usually books are either too young or too old. #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel - That's interesting - are a lot of your young teens already reading YA? #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @ErinStull I know I sure did! #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KarenninaPosa I struggle because I think of middle grade like middle school - gr 6-8. Junior is 4-6 #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari 4th and 5th graders (9, 10, 11 years old) are at that great point where they are no longer learning to read but reading to learn! #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WriterRoss @rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress And love that you term that the "sweet spot." I'm adopting that phase. ;> #MGlitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari and to enjoy of course :) #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis Do folks feel like kids really do read 2 years ahead of their age? So, a 10-11 year old wants to read 12-13 year old MCs? #MGLItchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress RT @rachelnseigel: I come at this from a buyer/bookseller perspective dealing with schools- Upper MG is our hardest area to place #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @rachelnseigel Why is it hard to place Upper MG? #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @elissacruz spent 2day w/ readers from 8-12 amazing the different things they responded to in my work at the ends of the spectrum #MGlitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz I write for all MG ages, actually. My last ms. was geared for 8-10yos, my current WIP is for 11-12yos. #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop WIP was orig. 4 adults (hist fiction/WWII) Crit grp advice to make a secondary character into MC- a teen. 9-12 yo #mglitchat -7:04 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @AnshaKotyk @smozer At that age, it would probabaly depend on the kid...or are you talking about the MC? #mglitchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KDuBayGillis I've heard 3, which makes sense at a certain age. #MGLItchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @AnshaKotyk I have a 14 yr old MC and the story line seems definitely set for upper. #MGlitchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @WriterRoss @rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress Ironically that is the name of my middle grade WIP. #mglitchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @elissacruz - Thanks! #mglitchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @rachelnseigel @KarenninaPosa And I think 7th and possibly 8th graders are still reading some upper MG, too. #mglitchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi #MGlitchat I@KDuBayGillis It depends on the kids...some enjoy kids the same age, and others want to feel more adult... -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @librarykelly @AnshaKotyk MC #mglitchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @AnshaKotyk It's hard because that 12-14 yr old age range (pre high school) r into everything from Wimpy Kid to Twilight. #mglitchat -7:05 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WriterRoss @smozer @WriterRoss @rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress Oh my g-d! You are a bookseller's MG Dream! (Move over, Katy Perry.) ;> #MGlitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa so what is the youngest age that's considered mg? #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage I try to focus on the 10-13 crowd. You can be less silly and do some YA crossover #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

brianwyzlic @KDuBayGillis Kids don't like to read younger than their age. 2-3 years ahead makes them feel as if they're spying on the future. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @smozer @librarykelly @AnshaKotyk Ok #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis So is it age of MC that makes it upper/lower MG or themes/topics of story? #MGLitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Plus, there's the romance factor. The young MGer cares not, but the older MGer is just discovering love. Awww. #MGlitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel - I agree, LOVE seeing 5th/6th graders react to our books - magical indeed :) #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @elissacruz Yes- that's my question- don't kids ever read about kids their own age? not all 13-yr-olds r mature. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari 7th and 8th graders are in a really interesting spot because they have such a range in maturity and interest #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @naveltwins Exactly. You really can't say you write MG and expect it to reach all MG readers. It probably won't. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Absolutely lightyears! RT @elissacruz: Ive noticed that there is a huge difference between an 8yo reader and a 12yo reader. #mglitchat -7:06 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage I think it's less the age of the protagonist and more the voice of the story. #mglitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @KDuBayGillis I would think both #mglitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone RT @elissacruz: @naveltwins Exactly. You really cant say you write MG and expect it to reach all MG readers. It probably wont. #MGlitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation Watching the #mglitchat tweets. Hi y'all. -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @KarenninaPosa - I think some 3rd graders at higher reading levels (for whom chapter books are too easy) are reading MG #mglitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @jmaschari Exactly- that's our challenge selling to schools. YA 12 + is too broad an age. 12 is still grade 6. #mglitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum My WIP is a mystery geared for the 8 year olds - my protags are 12 years old. Does that sound about right? #MGlitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi @ReadingVacation Hi there! #MGlitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @jscottsavage well said #mglitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @KDuBayGillis I would say themes and topics - that's how I tend to match a book with a student vs. age of protag #mglitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer I teach third and within one age group there is a large range of readers. #mglitchat -7:07 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore And what they do with it. Younger: pull hair, chase on play ground. Upper: hold hands, maybe *gasp* kiss. #mglitchat -7:08 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @KDuBayGillis Not IMHO. It's the issues/situations, length, topics (and the reader- not really safe to generalize). #mglitchat -7:08 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @JoWhittemore A little crush is always nice to play around with. #MGlitchat -7:08 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel #MGlitchat my showroom (like a store) is set up 7-9, 9-12, 12-14, 14+. -7:08 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @rachelnseigel I absolutely agree - and children vary in maturity so much - what is okay for one 12 y.o. is not okay for next #mglitchat -7:08 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @jmaschari - I agree - there's a huge range there. I know 13 year olds who only read MG and others who read edgy YA #mglitchat -7:08 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Upper MG deals with identity discovery. How am I unique? #MGlitchat -7:08 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum RT @JoWhittemore: Upper MG deals with identity discovery. How am I unique? #MGlitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @WriterRoss @rachelnseigel- Go for it :) #mglitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer RT @JoWhittemore: Upper MG deals with identity discovery. How am I unique? #MGlitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @elissacruz I do try to write so that all MG readers can hook onto something in the books, like doing theater in the round #mglitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @jmaschari I was all over the place at that age- VC Andrews and Stephen King but also stories about kids my age. #mglitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

chorkie #mglitchat Loved The Notorious Benedict Arnold. Learned a lot. -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WriterRoss @JoWhittemore (No wonder I am still reading MG novels. WHO THE HELL AM I?!) <g> #MGlitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari What I find so interesting though is that kids read into books what they are ready for - like with Hunger Games #mglitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @smozer - Great title for a mg book :) #mglitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @LaurelSnyder wrote a wonderful blog post recently on the NEED for upper MG. Moving. And hit on exactly my reasons. #MGLitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Especially if you are targeting boys, younger than 10 yo has a very "silly "feel. #mglitchat -7:09 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @naveltwins Which is good. I simply meant that an 8yo may not identify with the same thing as a 12yo. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel #MGlitchat I've relied a lot on reviews from blogger and parent/teacher sites to tell me content. Helps place age. 8-12 doesn't cut it. -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @WaldenPondPress @jmaschari I bet it is a break down between girl and boy readers too as girls at that age tend to be more mature #MGlitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @WriterRoss @JoWhittemore Me too! #mglitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

chorkie #mglitchat A lot of what they want to read depends on their maturity level. -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari Even though it covered some difficult topics they approached it as 5th graders would - not as an adult with more life experience #mglitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull IMHO I don't think you can appeal to huge spans of readers no matter what you write--low mg, high mg, YA... #mglitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @LauriCorkum I used to get 11 yr olds asking for Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. #MGlitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

brianwyzlic @jmaschari And kids will put down a book they're not ready for -- but may come back to it in a year or two. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @WriterRoss Hahaha! And that's why I write for them. I relate to trying to find myself. #MGlitchat -7:10 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull you have to try your best and let it ride. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Brucewriting @KDuBayGillis For me it's more theme and topics. Take Percy Jackson. You don't find his books in the YA section of a bookstore #mglitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @LauriCorkum @jmaschari - Definitely - there is also a lot of drop off in reading around that age - esp. among boys #mglitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @WaldenPondPress Thanks. It's about a 13 yr old girl baseball player (at boys training camp) so it fits on many levels. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation My little brother is 9. He loves Origami Yoda and also The Hunger Games. He's all over the place. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @brianwyzlic Absolutely 100 percent. Kids are great filters for what they read. They read to their comfort level #mglitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore One of the things I loved about When You Reach Me was that it captured that age beautifully. #MGlitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @lauricorkum that's def what I've found #mglitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone RT @rachelnseigel: @JoWhittemore One of the things I loved about When You Reach Me was that it captured that age beautifully. #MGlitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @librarykelly They're so freaking adorable, and the innocence is charming. #MGlitchat -7:11 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore Yes. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JanGangsei Character age and theme are just part of the equation -- there's also a wide range of reading ability from 8-12 years. #MGLitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @elissacruz xtactly. unlike in adult lit, our audience is in very different stages of development the entire time we know them #mglitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone I am reading Breadcrumbs right now (an ARC) and it captures tweens perfectly. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @WaldenPondPress @LauriCorkum @jmaschari Which is so sad - I try my hardest to keep my boy students engaged in reading #mglitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @rachelnseigel I remember wanting to explore those topics when I was 11-12. But, I still loved Nancy Drew as well. #MGlitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Best part of writing for MG is having a gym full of kids beg you to sign their shoes. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @elliefalcone There's nothing quite like writing budding romance! #MGlitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JanGangsei Excellent point! #mglitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @ReadingVacation that is amazing variation of tastes! #mglitchat -7:12 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel I agree - we age all our books 8-12 (generally), but they run the gamut from more like 8-9 to 11 and up #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull I'm kind of new to all this...can someone please defind ARC for me? #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore @wenmass captures this well in her Mg as well. The 11 birthdays series is about those milestone yrs. #MGlitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins RT @jscottsavage Best part of writing for MG is having a gym full of kids beg you to sign their shoes. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @ErinStull Advanced Reading copy #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage advance reader copy #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation Oh, and he loves Vordak the Incomprehensible, but also The Maze Runner. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @JanGangsei I agree. Reluctant older readers need good books, too. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @elliefalcone @rachelnseigel You know, I bought that book and have yet to read it. Must get on that! #MGlitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress I find Frank Cottrell Boyce for example is more 10-11. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull @rachelnseigel THANKS! #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @ErinStull advanced read..nevermind! #mglitchat -7:13 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @ErinStull It's an advanced reader copy given out by publishers to help build buzz about a book #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @JoWhittemore Now see, I avoid romance in my upper mg, and focus on friendships instead... #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @JanGangsei And younger avid readers also need good books. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @jmaschari @WaldenPondPress @LauriCorkum I agree, thankfully there is more and more content for boys now (books,mags,comics,etc) #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @WaldenPondPress True - I was in Germany recently and they actually shelve the bks like you do your showroom, @rachelnseigel #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull Thanks all! #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari RT @elissacruz: @JanGangsei I agree. Reluctant older readers need good books, too. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis Found it! http://t.co/nkOtYkj If you haven't read this, worth a look. #MGLitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore @elliefalcone @rachelnseigel WHich book? #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @JoWhittemore Do! It's faboo! I honestly didn't think I'd like it but it was awesome. #MGlitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi @AnshaKotyk @JoWhittemore Me too. Not all MG readers want romance. #MGlitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @Jmaschari - to what types of reading material/books do you find your boys most drawn? #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage It's funny. I try to avoid romance , but even the younger kids end up asking for at least a hint #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore And let us not forget that upper MG is when enemies start to turn NASTY. Muahaha! #MGlitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @ReadingVacation so your little brother has a good sense of humor and loves violent action...sounds like me when I was his age! #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone When I taught 6th grade, I had kids who were ready for YA topics and some who were barely more mature than elem. school. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @AnshaKotyk Same. I'm not really into romance for MGers. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto I'm hoping my WIP will speak to reluctant boy readers #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Any other teachers here? I think best match is to maturity/experience levels not fluency/rate- some try to just "read older" #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @WaldenPondPress @jmaschari @LauriCorkum YES! I love the Guys Read! series for this - sometimes MG boys want the short stories #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone Even today, some of my 9th graders read way up and some are more comfortable with upper-MG #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KKittscher I think it's important. I put a lot of my upper Mg and less mature teen in there. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation I like realistic MG books when I can relate the middle school characters. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @WaldenPondPress Fantasy books and funny books (like Dan Gutman), also adventure like Gregor the Overlander and Alex Rider #mglitchat -7:15 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @thereadingzone such a good thing to remember, not to build age ghettos around our books #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

brianwyzlic Does anyone target 12-14? I've been told YA is "too mature," but most MG is too young. It's a thirsty niche. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @rachelnseigel Are you aware of any actual stores here that do the same? I've yet to see it, but it makes so much sense #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi @ReadingVacation I like realistic characters in fantasy settings! #MGlitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @thereadingzone Jealous! Can't wait to read BREADCRUMBS. Lots of new BREAD-titled books in MG coming up! #MGLitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @PBWorkshop I use Fountas and Pinnel levels and assessments to place the reader and then read the book to make sure it fits #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @AnshaKotyk I've done both types, because you're right. Sometimes it's about best friends. #MGlitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @PBWorkshop If they can't comprehend it, they wont finish it. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @jmaschari - That's awesome - Jon always thought short stories were the way to go and it seems to be working #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @AnshaKotyk As do I, although my MC is 12. I'm not delving into romantic entanglements yet. I think they need their innocence. #MGlitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @jscottsavage I wanted to avoid romance as well but found my MC developed a crush on someone. It was only a hint though. #MGlitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @brianwyzlic I judge a lot by character age. 14-15 yr old characters appeals to 12-14. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation @PHCMarchesi Those too! #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @brianwyzlic 12-14 is my audience when I write. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Emerging variants on graphix hold greatest appeal to boys- the format hooks them before they realize they'rte reading. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WriterRoss @JoWhittemore @librarykelly Like I've always said: saves on seeing a therapist. <g> #MGlitchat -7:16 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KKittscher Here where? :-) In toronto, Mabels Fables shelves by age. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @PBWorkshop Teacher here! I agree I just try to match kid to book - should be a comfortable read for them but also engaging #mglitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @brianwyzlic I write for that age group. I love it, but people seem unsure what my mss. are--MG or YA--sometimes. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @elliefalcone Yep. Not too much. Just a hint or two. #MGlitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @brianwyzlic I'm there in the 13 MC age range. Def consider my WIP upper MG b/c of theme and subplots. #MGLitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @brianwyzlic not yet, but it's an area i'd love to branch into #mglitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @jmaschari - All great choices - have heard a lot Dan Gutman and Gregor the Overland mentioned a lot recently for boys #mglitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer I think you need a little romance. Even Diary of the Whimpy Kids talks about crushes and girls and the boys love it. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer Make that kid #mglitchat -7:17 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress RT @thereadingzone: I am reading Breadcrumbs right now (an ARC) and it captures tweens perfectly. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @smozer Gentle romance though. No sexy stuff before high school. (At least 4 school libraries) #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation @smozer You are right. Middle Grade = Crushes Nothing serious. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @thereadingzone - So happy to hear that! #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @brianwyzlic I agree -- but seems a tough sell with pubs. I was told to age mine up or lower to be more marketable. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @WaldenPondPress @jmaschari Reaching two very different types of readers at the same age. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @smozer I think a little romance can be appropriate - I love how Kate Messner does it in her MG novels - just a hint :) #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage You either need a hint of romance or go the opposite, girls have cooties direction. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @librarykelly And the "faking" of comprehension creates even more aversion to "really" reading- especially true for boys, I find. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @jmaschari @smozer Yes! #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @jscottsavage At 9 I had crushes, but wasn't really interested in reading about boy-girl stuff till 11 or so. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

brianwyzlic @rachelnseigel My concern is not with the appeal to the readers, but the content OK'd by parents and school admins. Maybe Aug 25 #mglitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull @PBWorkshop @librarykelly as do I #mglitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone My thoughts exactly. RT @ReadingVacation: @smozer You are right. Middle Grade = Crushes Nothing serious. #MGlitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage What do you guys think about the girls will read boy protags, but boys won't read girl protags in MG? True or myth? #mglitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @rachelnseigel @smozer YES. That is one thing I love about MG. Nothing explicit. My nephew is that age, for crying out loud! #MGlitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari Boys are okay with a little bit of romance but MCs have to be friends first then romance (or liking) can develop later #mglitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis I was one of those girls at 12/13/14 that wasn't ready for romance, so appreciated books that didn't push it. #MGLitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @brianwyzlic @rachelnseigel You need to appeal to readers though...? #mglitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @rachelnseigel Agreed. Though the first kiss can be involved. #mglitchat -7:19 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @brianwyzlic Keeping your characters in that 12-15 yr old range, (just starting high school) usually ok. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull @brianwyzlic @rachelnseigel I think that is really important too. Parents are buying the books and admins allow in schools #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @brianwyzlic That's a good point. Content and who is purchasing the book. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @KKittscher - I think that type of shelving really helps #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @smozer First kiss is fine. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @jscottsavage Just try them on Sisters Grimm. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @KDuBayGillis me too. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis What about GLBT issues in upper MG? Anyone introducing? #MGLitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @rachelnseigel @jscottsavage Nine yo girls have crushes, but 9yo boys are only interested in tomboys, & only as friends. Usually. #MGlitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull @AnshaKotyk @brianwyzlic while still appealing to the readers #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @jmaschari Me too. And @KateMessner is a master of the middle grade. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @jscottsavage Hold that thought...I think that's next week's topic! #mglitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone One of the reasons I love to write for this age group is the innocence. They're kind of sitting on the fence but... #MGlitchat -7:20 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Agree completely. Great example. RT @librarykelly: @jscottsavage Just try them on Sisters Grimm. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone @jscottsavage I had and have boys who will read female protags, provided the story is good. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress Our customers appreciate it. They know content is safe for elementary school in my 12-14 #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Oops. My bad. RT @jscottsavage: Agree completely. Great example. RT @librarykelly: @jscottsavage Just try them on Sisters Grimm. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JanGangsei @brianwyzlic I think there's an emerging "tween" market out there (Aladdin Mix books come to mind) targeting that age group. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis RT @elliefalcone: One of the reasons I love to write for this age group is the innocence. They're kind of sitting on the fence but... #MGlitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @KDuBayGillis I like a surprise kiss on the cheek and then the boy running away because it's all awkward. #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @rachelnseigel @smozer But no tongue! My editor made me change that. #MGlitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @KDuBayGillis I think MG is a totally appropriate place to introduce characters that are just realizing their sexuality #MGlitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone RT @naveltwins: @thereadingzone such a good thing to remember, not to build age ghettos around our books #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull the 9 yo boys I work with are starting to think about romance--when they grow up, but not in their immediate lives...funny! #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ceegates My WIP is for middle school student who "hated" to read. Made him consultant. Said best book he's read. HA! #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Romance/kiss biz depends on the nature of the characters and their development- think Harry Potter's growth over time #mglitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @KDuBayGillis My current WIP has a gay character. He's just coming to terms with it. Not sure how to deal with it though. #MGlitchat -7:21 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @KDuBayGillis Have seen GLBT issues in some but it tends to be a minor character or person in the MC's life - not the main focus #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @JanGangsei Define "tween." I've yet to hear a solid definition of this age. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @jscottsavage Depends on the book. The boys in my class will read anything by Andrew Clements, boy or girl MC #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress I'm always told kidsread up (i.e. 11 year old won't read abt 10 year old protag), but don't always find that to be true #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull @ceegates BRILLIANT idea! #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa my thoughts exactly RT @JoWhittemore That is one thing I love about MG. Nothing explicit. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone Something that drives me crazy is that lots of bookstores shelve MG w/ children's.Many MG rdrs don't want to be seen as "babies" #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop Many elementary schools shy away from that topic, but our junior high schools will look at it. #mglitchat #MGlitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @smozer Will your girls read Ranger's Apprentice? #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @ceegates CONGRATS! you won over the toughest critic of all. #mglitchat -7:22 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @ErinStull @brianwyzlic @rachelnseigel as autonomy starts to form, appealing to the readers is vital to creating lifelong readers #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @JanGangsei @brianwyzlic "Aladdin MIX rules!" she said unbiasedly. #MGlitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @WaldenPondPress I absolutely agree with that - kids read engaging books regardless of age of protag #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @ErinStull @brianwyzlic @rachelnseigel THis may be, but if it doesn't appeal to a kid, they're not going to bother with it. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @thereadingzone I think a MG section in bookstores would help. Move some of the younger teen stuff there too. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone So kids end up embarrassed to look at MG bc they don't want to be near the early readers. How come teens get their own section? #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk I had an agent tell me some houses call tween, others call upper MG RT @elissacruz: @JanGangsei Define "tween." #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone Good question. RT @elissacruz: @JanGangsei Define "tween." Ive yet to hear a solid definition of this age. #MGlitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @WaldenPondPress I guess I write for the kid I was--perfectly content reading about MG characters, all the way through HS, etc. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull @jscottsavage @smozer I do...but I don't know if my girls at work do... #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @WaldenPondPress There are always exceptions to every rule, think Harry Potter. But my kids like to see their "future". #Mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins RT @thereadingzone a lot of bookstores shelve MG w/ children's. Many MG rdrs don't want to be seen as "babies" #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone @jscottsavage Plenty of my 9th grade girls have read Ranger's Apprentice while in middle school #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @thereadingzone - Grr, that makes me mad too! Also the constant "lumping" MG as a chapter book or YA in the media #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @JoWhittemore Sorry but yuck. Definitely agree, no tongue. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @WaldenPondPress I think it depends on whether or readers can identify with a (younger) MC. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk My guess is different houses classify tween and upper mg differently. @elissacruz: @JanGangsei #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @librarykelly That's absolutely true. But will kids admit they are interested? #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Another thing that affects age is number of pictures. Zombie Chasers--lots of pics for younger readers. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @susanjsteward - I understand that - it's who I was too! #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation @brianwyzlic I call that OMG! Older Middle Grade . #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari I like the term Upper Middle Grade a bit better - never heard a student call themself a "tween" :) #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone @WaldenPondPress I don't find that to be true all the time, either. In fact, I have a lot of 9th grdrs who will love Breadcrumbs! #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JanGangsei @elissacruz Hmmm.... in my brain, it's upper MG, 11-13ish. Not into "kid" stuff anymore, but not quite an angsty teenager. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore @rachelnseigel @smozer Ha! #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @thereadingzone That's good to hear. My first series had equal boy and girl protag. Can't always do that though. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari For me, upper middle grade is some 12, 13 and 14 #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone I hate the term tween. There. I said it. #MGlitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @jscottsavage Some do. Actually I was introduced to that series by a girl. I would have read them at that age #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa @thereadingzone In my local bookstore, I've seen MG shelved under "intermediate readers" #mglitchat -7:24 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @ReadingVacation @brianwyzlic LOVE OMG. Perfect! #MGLitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @jscottsavage this was a debate I was just having with my illustrator #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @jmaschari - That's good to hear, it was always touted as a rigid standard, but I never saw it in practice #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins Here here! RT @librarykelly THis may be, but if it doesn't appeal to a kid, they're not going to bother with it. #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

brianwyzlic Hahahaha. Perfect! RT @ReadingVacation: I call that OMG! Older Middle Grade . #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @smozer @JoWhittemore Ew... yuck for me too. A shy peck, maybe, but leave the tongue for YA. #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Deborahkops I hear demographic trend will shift toward the younger end of the spectrum, helping the pbook market & the lower end of mg lit #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @WaldenPondPress @thereadingzone That is why I am on a mission to bring MG to the forefront. It's been on the sidelines too long. #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari But I love that books can transcend age boundaries - find the right book for right kid #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @WaldenPondPress, do you publish much that you'd consider upper MG? #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull As a Sped Tchr I can say the number of pics as well as the size of type/# of words on a page is what appeals to my MG kiddos #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @michaelascotto Yep. I asked not to have as many pics to focus more on story #mglitchat -7:25 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa @jmaschari that's what I think too. upper mg= 12, 13 and 14 #mglitchat -7:26 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @thereadingzone - Very good to hear (on both fronts :)) #mglitchat -7:26 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @elissacruz They say you want a revolution. Well, ya know. We all want to change the world. Go, girl! #MGlitchat -7:26 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari As a teacher, being able to understand the child and have a knowledge of individual books to place with them is essential #mglitchat -7:26 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @elissacruz - Very good point, it's definitely subjective #mglitchat -7:26 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @jscottsavage I think all kids still like pictures. It just has to be comic-booky like Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @LauriCorkum @smozer @JoWhittemore Eew. Sounds like the perfect slogan for mglitchat: "Leaves the tongue for YA" #mglitchat -7:26 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Andrew Clementswrites with MCs focused at 8-9, 11-12, matches the length/readability w/o losing power of voice. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @elliefalcone lol. Yes, I was the one who started the rumors about a MG revolution. #Imsneakythatway #mglitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @rachelnseigel Yep. But if you fill the book with comic type pictures you get placed in lower MG #mglitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KKittscher @LauriCorkum @smozer @JoWhittemore I like that! It's perfectly apt! #mglitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone HAHAHAHA! RT @KKittscher: Eew. Sounds like the perfect slogan for mglitchat: "Leaves the tongue for YA" #MGlitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari I think a really great example of Upper Middle Grade is Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt #mglitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @KKittscher @smozer @JoWhittemore I like that too... wow... a catch phrase! #mglitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis What about the complexity of plot/subplots. . . does that play into lower/upper MG as well? #MGLitchat -7:27 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @jscottsavage Yes, but just pointing out that older kids enjoy those books too, and they're cool #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @jmaschari Note to self. No tongue. More fart jokes. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari RT @PBWorkshop: Andrew Clementswrites with MCs focused at 8-9, 11-12, matches the length/readability w/o losing power of voice. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @KKittscher @lauricorkum @smozer Hey, it was my first MG! Cut a chick some slack. ;-) #MGlitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @elissacruz MG fiction is the middle child of publishing. It has to act out to get noticed. And often then, it's just called YA #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @KKittscher We haven't pubbed upper, upper MG, but a lot of young teens (13-14) connect w/books like Fourth Stall, Guys Read #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk RT @KDuBayGillis: What about the complexity of plot/subplots. . . does that play into lower/upper MG as well? #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

MaryAnnScheuer RT @WaldenPondPress: RT @KarenninaPosa: what time is it? what TIME is it? Is it time for #mglitchat yet? #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @rachelnseigel @jscottsavage I don't agree it "has to be", but it definitiely helps/trends that way. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @naveltwins - So true! That's a great way to put it. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @AnshaKotyk @KDuBayGillis We sold Guys Read grade 5-7 mostly. Some stories appeal to older kids. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @rachelnseigel Agreed. I love Diary of a Wimpy Kid #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer RT @jmaschari: As a teacher, understanding the child and having knowledge of books to place them w is essential #mglitchat <- Me too. -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @jscottsavage Ha! That's MG for you - kids do love the bodily function jokes #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Anyone read Doodlelbug: A Novel in Doodles by Karen Romano Young? #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

   

elissacruz @KDuBayGillis I think it does. Lower MG are simpler story lines, few subplots. Upper MG are more complex, more subplots. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone *snort* RT @jscottsavage: @jmaschari Note to self. No tongue. More fart jokes. #MGlitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @naveltwins Too true! If it speaks up, and speaks well, everyone wants to claim it. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress RT @naveltwins MG fiction is the middle child of publishing. It has to act out to get noticed. And often then, its just called YA #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Do you guys feel the lower MG/upper MG/YA lines have skewed since you were a kid? #MGlitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa tweens = upper mg = somewhat/lower YA = 13, 14, 15 yo? #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @lauricorkum @smozer Aw, you're exempt @JoWhittemore. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Of course I've always wondered how they manage to make audio book of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @rachelnseigel @jscottsavage maybe the # of pics thing is more a marketer's issue than kids' #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore Yes. A lot. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba RT @WaldenPondPress: RT @naveltwins MG fiction is the middle child of publishing. It has to act out to get noticed. And often then, its just called YA #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @jscottsavage LOL #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Or bookstore RT @michaelascotto: @rachelnseigel @jscottsavage maybe the # of pics thing is more a marketer's issue than kids' #mglitchat -7:29 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel @AnshaKotyk @KDuBayGillis - That's good to hear - seems to be the Guys Read sweet spot #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba Forgot about #mglitchat! -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @michaelascotto @jscottsavage i think a lot of things about MG are a marketer's issue. #Mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman I think good MG is layered. There's a compelling story, but there's more there if you want to read deeper into it. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @elissacruz I think that's why I like to read/write upper MG. I liked puzzles as a kid, trying to look for the twists. #MGLitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @KKittscher @smozer @JoWhittemore Yes... I was just kidding... we've all been there, believe me. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JanGangsei Awesome chat! But afraid I must sign off early. Reading Harry Potter with 9yo. That's a pretty good excuse though, right? :) #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @JoWhittemore I don't know. I started reading adult horror and mysteries at that age. Hey wait, that explains a few things. #MGlitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @JoWhittemore Yes! I do - I think there is more flex there with the boundaries #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @KDuBayGillis Maturity=Complexity. Readalouds/discussion leads kids to be ready for complexity. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Could you elaborate, please? RT @librarykelly: @JoWhittemore Yes. A lot. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @jjhoutman Agreed. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JenniferCEstes Crap! Just got home and have missed many minutes of #mglitchat ! Summarize, please? -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari RT @jjhoutman: I think good MG is layered. Theres a compelling story, but theres more there if you want to read deeper into it. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone RT @jjhoutman: I think good MG is layered. Theres a compelling story, but theres more there if you want to read deeper into it. #MGlitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @KDuBayGillis Yep. I agree. I want the depth that is tough to pull off with lower MG #MGLitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @WaldenPondPress Thanks -- that makes sense. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @mudmamba Glad you realized where you needed to be...here! #MGLitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @WaldenPondPress I'd consider Juniper Berry upper, no? #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @JenniferCEstes Mostly discussing what is upper MG vs lower. Will b posting transcript l8r 2nite or tomorrow. :-) #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @elissacruz - We're on your bandwagon :), it's part of the reason we focus 100% on MG books #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @KDuBayGillis Me too! It took me awhile to realize that it was okay to keep the plot simple when writing lower MG. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @WaldenPondPress Not upper, upper #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @JanGangsei Awesome excuse! Go and enjoy! #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @JoWhittemore Makes me think of that kids-accept-what-they're-ready-for thing. I read SK's "It" at 9, missed a LOT. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @PBWorkshop You are speaking my language! Discussion of novels can lead kids to discover different layers of text + complexity #mglitchat -7:31 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @JanGangsei Excellent! #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @JenniferCEstes We're talking about age range in MG. Upper- or lower- and why... (or something like that) #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer RT @elissacruz: @KDuBayGillis I think it does. Lower MG are simpler story lines, few subplots. Upper MG are more complex, more subplots. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore Well, I don't feel like there were a lot of choices. At least I didn't have a lot of choices. I went from Ramona to #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @KKittscher @lauricorkum @smozer Thank ye! xoxo #MGlitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @jscottsavage That's why I loved WHEN YOU REACH ME and MOON OVER MANIFEST. #MGLitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @michaelascotto @JoWhittemore I agree. I think we gloss over lots of stuff we don't get when we read 2 mature 4 our age. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @elissacruz @KDuBayGillis Plot can be simple, but characters need dimensions, important goals. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @WaldenPondPress Glad I'm not alone leading the #MGrevolution! #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JanGangsei @LauriCorkum Thank you! On the last book and getting sad to see it end. *sniffle* #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PatEsden RT @WaldenPondPress: RT @naveltwins MG fiction is the middle child of publishing. It has to act out to get noticed. And often then, its just called YA #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @WaldenPondPress @elissacruz Glad you're on the case! #mglitchat -7:32 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage One issue is also what grade level your books get placed in by standardized testing. Kids may skip if they don't get "credit" #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Yes! RT @KDuBayGillis: @jscottsavage That's why I loved WHEN YOU REACH ME and MOON OVER MANIFEST. #MGLitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Agreed. We're breaching new subjects for all ranges that never would have come up when we were kids. @brianwyzlic #MGlitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @smozer - It's themes and complexity could place it in that category - a lot of young teens connecting with it #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba So what do people think is not "age appropriate" in any MG book? #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari I think what is most important for kids in terms of upper and lower is that they need to part of themself in the book #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore Baby Sitters Club to R. L. Stine and I'm not talking Goosebumps, the murder, and blood at school stuff #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

MaryAnnScheuer @thereadingzone and yet I've found the opposite to be really hard, tween books only in YA section #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @thereadingzone Unless it's their parents pushing it #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

reeseamandas RT @thereadingzone: Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @jscottsavage I h8 all of these Acellerated Reader, Guidede reading, etc... Let kids read what interests them. #mglitchat -7:33 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @mudmamba I think the consensus here is. . .kissing with tongue. : ) #MGLitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer RT @PBWorkshop: @elissacruz @KDuBayGillis Plot can be simple, but characters need dimensions, important goals. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @JoWhittemore I think kids are more savvy (not that we weren't savvy) these days and exposed to more due to technology #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa @mudmamba romance, violence come to mind #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman Even if it's "lower" MG (hate that term), kids know when they're being talked down to. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @rachelnseigel I agree. Most librarians I know feel the same way. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

kellypolark @JoWhittemore Jo, what would you consider Odd Girl In to be? Upper or lower? (Loved it by the way! Great characters!) #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone @MaryAnnScheuer I find the shelving very interesting. Some MG is in children's, some in YA, some in both. Makes it hard to find! #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @elissacruz - Right back at you, that's why we were so excited for this chat :) #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @jscottsavage @KDuBayGillis Tough but not impossible. And needed in lower MG, imo. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @elliefalcone Haha! Kids do mature at different rates. I was reading Agatha Christie at 14. #MGlitchat -7:34 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @mudmamba sex, drugs, tongue (lol), violence, that stuff. #MGlitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @jjhoutman Agree with this - kids are incredibly smart - they can smell this a mile away #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @KDuBayGillis I'm not a fan of reading kissing with tongue in any age group. Guess that's why I'm still hanging with Ramona. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress Seeing so many names I recognize here, it's awesome! #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone @jmaschari YES! Some of my 6th graders were way more advanced than I would ever imagine. Some were still innocent. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman My daughter loves "older" themes, as long as there's no "human growth and development." #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa @mudmamba crushes are ok, but no hot stuff ;) then it'd be YA #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @JoWhittemore We need a MG Agatha Christie series #MGlitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

thereadingzone @JoWhittemore I was reading VC Andrews. Oops. :) #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

kellypolark @JanGangsei I just read some Harry Potter to my almost 9yo! Love sharing it with her! #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

timothypower67 Whaaa? MG lit chat? Too cool! #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @JoWhittemore I think I write MG now because I only read adult books once I hit 5th grade. :) #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Flexibility is def important. @jmaschari #MGlitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @jjhoutman Thank you! Kids are very aware when they are being talked down to, & my critique group (adult writers) don't get that. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore I read Jane Eyre at 12. But then, YA was virtually non-existent then. #MGlitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba People say violence -- isn't there a lot in Percy Jackson, Alex Rider, other action series? #mglitchat -7:35 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Brucewriting Agreed RT @ @jscottsavage I h8 all of these Acellerated Reader, Guidede reading, etc... Let kids read what interests them. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa yes to this! @jscottsavage @JoWhittemore We need a MG Agatha Christie series #mglitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @mudmamba Not graphic violence. It's a fine line. HP has some violent and scary moments too. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @timothypower67 Get in here. . . only 30 minutes to go! #MGLitchat Welcome! -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @mudmamba perhaps it's more an issue of realism/detail with the violence #mglitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @susanjsteward Me too, actually. I read a couple YA with some sex in it and felt kinna creeped out by it. Just didn't feel right. #MGlitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @mudmamba I think it depends on the lvl of violence. My agent calls it safe scary. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KarenninaPosa There are lots of Sherlock Holmes takes now. Mystery is making a comeback. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari I have reread some of the books that I read as a child + was like "whoa! I never caught that when I read it as a 5th/6th grader" #mglitchat -7:36 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Love this point. RT @michaelascotto: Makes me think of that kids-accept-what-they're-ready-for thing. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @AnshaKotyk @JoWhittemore Never knew what I was missing until I rediscovered MG. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Brucewriting RT @KarenninaPosa: yes to this! @jscottsavage @JoWhittemore We need a MG Agatha Christie series #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @thereadingzone @MaryAnnScheuer Agree, I have that prob in almost every book store, but some now shelve "intermediate readers" #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn Yay! I made it for #mglitchat!! #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa @rachelnseigel @mudmamba the early HP were MG, later ones became YA #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop But Jane Eyre, Agatha Christie are incredibly naive/innocent as compared to much of today's "street-wise" content. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @elliefalcone So glad I'm not alone. I feel like the poster child for arrested literary development, sometimes. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum Is kid empowerment, in the sense of defeating bad guys in a mystery, considered violence? No blood, but pushing & evading. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @mudmamba - I would say violence is a little more tolerated in MG than sex, drugs, etc. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @michaelascotto @mudmamba I agree. There is still an innocence to many MG books, even those with violence. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @jmaschari I think the best books are like that. Appeal on different levels at different ages. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @librarykelly You're right! Probably why I jumped to Agatha Christie and Terry Brooks #MGlitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @KarenninaPosa That's one of the fun things about writing MG. Your readers can grow up with you. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @susankayequinn Welcome! Glad you made it! #MGLitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone Oh, how I wish. RT @jscottsavage: @JoWhittemore We need a MG Agatha Christie series #MGlitchat -7:37 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @susankayequinn Welcome! #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @jjhoutman I completely agree with you. MG is pure awesome. :) #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @mudmamba I think violence, done well, is fine. Look at fairy tales or Pinocchio... #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KarenninaPosa That becomes really problematic. Skulduggery pleasant is like that too. She started out 12. Now she's 15. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn Yes! @rachelnseigel: @jmaschari I think the best books are like that. Appeal on different levels at different ages. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull @KarenninaPosa @rachelnseigel @mudmamba @recent workshop instructor said LIWilder did the same thing. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @WaldenPondPress Yes - violence is definitely more tolerated - esp. the funny kind (if that makes sense) #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @Brucewriting @jscottsavage Not 2b unpopular, but w/ acc. reader, kids R supposed 2 read what interests them, if it's done right. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa I write MG because that's what I mostly like to read. I read YA and grown-up books, but always return to MG #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @rachelnseigel @michaelascotto Perfect non-literary example: Greased Lightnin' from Grease. Ever heard those lyrics? #MGlitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn @jjhoutman It was your tweets that alerted me to tonight! #thanks #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @rachelnseigel I hope mysteries are making a comeback! #saysshewhowritesmysteries #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @elliefalcone @jscottsavage @JoWhittemore Is the Gilda Joyce series not Agatha Christiesque? #MGLitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @ErinStull She did, and so did Lucy Maud Montgomery. Personally, I lost interest when the characters got 2 far beyong my age. #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PatEsden I'm cheering you on from the sidelines. Twitter doesn't want to let me chat right now #mglitchat -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

chorkie #mglitchat I saw some MG books in YA in my library. Asked why. Was told so that could be available to more kids. Made some sense. -7:38 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @rachelnseigel @KarenninaPosa Hooray for MG mysteries! Some 2012 debut authors & I are starting a YA/MG-mystery group blog in Sep #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @JoWhittemore I never truly "heard" them until high school, haha #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn @jmaschari @WaldenPondPress Comic violence gets the best laughs. #literarypratfalls #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly The kids in my area are really into ghosts! #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore I totally didn't get them at 9. Or Let's Get physical. Didn't learn that one till I was an adult but liked the song #MGlitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa @rachelnseigel the readers age too, so it's good for the books to "age" with them IMO #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @chorkie Glad to read this!!! #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @librarykelly It's a tough line. testing does encourage kids to read. But it can turn it from fun into work. Not good #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Could "Stress level" be the determining variable for levels? How much can the reader tolerate/carry/comprehend? #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @jmaschari Yes, and in some cases, I think savvy a little too early. Where has childhood gone? Sniffle. #MGlitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @KDuBayGillis Gilda Joyce are supernatural mysteries. I'm reading the fifth one right now. Love her. #MGlitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn Love this! Kids don't always want the YA mush.@chorkie: #mglitchat I saw some MG books in YA in my library. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner @elissacruz Count me among the MG mystery fans - my 2012 Scholastic mystery was SO much fun to write! #mglitchat -7:39 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KKittscher I'm putting together a list of Mystery novels at work for my customers ranging from 8 to teen. #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ErinStull RT @KarenninaPosa: @rachelnseigel the readers age too, so its good for the books to "age" with them IMO--love this! #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @KKittscher Oooh! I will be on the lookout for your blog. #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling @elliefalcone I love Gilda Joyce. #MGlitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @KDuBayGillis I want more though. I loves me some mysteries. #MGlitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

reeseamandas My kids love the Mysterious Benedict books. Good, clean mysterious fun! #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @KDuBayGillis The thing about AC is that her books were puzzles not character driven #MGLitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @KKittscher @rachelnseigel @KarenninaPosa Do ghost mysteries count in your new group blog? #MGLitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn So with you on this. @JoWhittemore: @jmaschari Yes, and in some cases,I think savvy a little too early. Where has childhood gone? #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik Hey everybody, what's up. #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @ErinStull I like it to an extent- as long as the content doesn't become 2 mature for the younger kids. #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @jscottsavage You're right. it's not my favorite thing, don't get me wrong. But, done correctly, it's not the worst thing ;) #mglitchat -7:40 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner I love Elise Broach's MG mysteries, too, esp. MASTERPIECE. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

timothypower67 @KDuBayGillis Haha! It'll take me longer than that to catch up. Loving it! #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @JoWhittemore I agree - but I do find that a lot of kids are still drawn to the more innocent literature (though still deep) #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly Hi JOhn! #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @ErinStull I have the Alice books in two different sections. Once she graduates grade 8 it's YA. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn Can anyone tell me when we're going to start having Science Fiction in MG? #yanno #withrealscience #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik What are we talking about tonight? #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @jmaschari @susankayequinn Agree - we just signed a book with a fair amount of funny/comic violence #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore Isn't the song lyric question key today? Kids get hooked at a surface level, don't process content. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @KateMessner Mysteries ARE fun to write! And I love that in MG books it doesn't have to be murder to be a satifying mystery. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @KDuBayGillis @KKittscher @rachelnseigel @KarenninaPosa You bet. Still under construct, but http://tinyurl.com/3cy75jm #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @KateMessner Ever read adult mysteries at that age? I read mother's Mary Higgins Clark. Good thing it was R.D. abridged. #mglitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi @susankayequinn I write sci-fi/fantasy for MG. Hoping to see more out there! #MGlitchat -7:41 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @kellypolark Awww, thanks so much! I'd say OGI is upper MG because the brothers are older & some jokes beyond a third grader. #MGlitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk RT @susankayequinn: Can anyone tell me when were going to start having Science Fiction in MG? #yanno #withrealscience #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @WaldenPondPress Exciting! I #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner @susankayequinn Does dystopian MG count? My EYE OF THE STORM (coming in March) is upper-MG - set in 2050. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @jmaschari @JoWhittemore Wrinkle In Time series is a perfect example of that. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @KateMessner I'm so glad mysteries are making a comeback, partly b/c it's what I love to write, & b/c I loved them as a kid. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn @PHCMarchesi @susankayequinn I write it too - getting it published...that's a different story. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @susanjsteward @KateMessner I started on Agatha Christie by the time I was 12 or so. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JillCorcoran hey there new chat! #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Yes!! Write it! RT @jscottsavage: @JoWhittemore We need a MG Agatha Christie series #MGlitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik @PHCMarchesi I write YA fantasy and have what I think a good MG idea kicking around #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @PBWorkshop @rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore Don't get me started. Some songs I love until I listen to the lyrics. Ugh! #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari Dark Life by Kat Falls seems to be more sci-fi #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @PBWorkshop @rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore I thought I was really something singing Madonna's Express yourself. My mom love that. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn Yay! Go Kate (dystopia's rock) @KateMessner: @susankayequinn Does dystopian MG count? My EYE OF THE STORM (coming in March) #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner @elissacruz Me too - no murder in mine (just a ginormous, stolen flag!) #mglitchat -7:42 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

MaryAnnScheuer @WaldenPondPress yay!it's a summer party! Will you put together a list of #mglitchat tweeps later? Thx:-) -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rj_anderson My MG audience is just on the brink of teenhood and doesn't mind (or even wants) a bit of romance in their action/adventure. #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @thereadingzone Gasp!! You little rebel! #MGlitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

kellypolark Anita Laydon Miller is releasing a cool mg mystery soon. A sample is on her blog. It's excellent. #mglitchat http://t.co/qsKnBs5 -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis RT @KateMessner: @susankayequinn Does dystopian MG count? My EYE OF THE STORM (coming in March) is upper-MG - set in 2050. #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JillCorcoran do you all have a topic? #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @jmaschari Is that considered MG? It's in the YA section of my library #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @KateMessner @susankayequinn Can't wait for this one, Kate. Does it have an enviro message to it at all? #MGLitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn Dark Life is awesome. #oneofthefewMGSF @jmaschari: Dark Life by Kat Falls seems to be more sci-fi #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @susankayequinn - have seen a number of dystopian MG manuscripts over the past 18 months or so #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

   

rachelnseigel @KDuBayGillis I thought she was psychic or had help from ghosts? Am I confusing it? #MGLitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

BethBowland I love the MG age group! They're just so much fun! #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi @susankayequinn But I sense there will be a move away from magic towards more of a hybrid fantasy genre. #MGlitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @AnshaKotyk Do you kinda feel you missed that part of YOUR reading experience? #MGlitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik Too bad my friend @mswinchell is on radio silence, he'd have a lot more to say than I will about #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @john_zeleznik Topic: Defining age categories in MG. #mglitchat -7:43 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @jillcorcoran - what is your intended MG audience and why? #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage With my new Grimville Case Files by HC, I tried to combine a cool mysteries with monsters. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rj_anderson I thought I was writing for 12-13 yo girls mostly, but am amazed how many 8-9 yo (and older) boys love my faery books. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @smozer I had some 5th graders read - it seems to blur line #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @JillCorcoran Defining age categories in MG #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

kellypolark @JoWhittemore With older brothers, I think the book has a bigger reader age range.I loved the humor in the book! #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @JillCorcoran Welcome! We're talking defining audience in MG. Lower v. Upper, etc. #MGLitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik @elissacruz Oooh, good time to hop in. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn But are they sciency? Or just future based... @WaldenPondPress: @susankayequinn - have seen a number of dystopian MG manuscripts #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @mudmamba @elliefalcone @jscottsavage Oh, Poirot all the way! #MGlitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa @PHCMarchesi @susankayequinn what is "hybrid" fantasy? #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @rj_anderson Very true. No matter what you write, you will get some bleed over into other ages #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher Wow. Very impressed with the turnout here! MG was hungry for its own chat. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @JillCorcoran Topic supposed to be defining age catetories for MG book, but we're also discussing what works in upper vs. lower. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner @KDuBayGillis It's a science-gone-wrong story with huge future tornadoes. Had a great time researching in Oklahoma! #mglitchat -7:44 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik I'm always confused about this. I mean I read LOTR and Dragonlance in 6th and 7th grade. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @rj_anderson That's awesome! #MGlitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @JoWhittemore @mudmamba @elliefalcone @jscottsavage Mais, oui! #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @susankayequinn @WaldenPondPress Sciency!!! #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @elissacruz @john_zeleznik If the MG characters stumbled upon a dead body, would that be deemed an "upper" MG? #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa RT @KKittscher: Wow. Very impressed with the turnout here! MG was hungry for its own chat. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone WORD! RT @JoWhittemore: @mudmamba @elliefalcone @jscottsavage Oh, Poirot all the way! #MGlitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @jjhoutman @anshakotyk One of the best little knowns from my childhood: The Good Master by Kate Seredy #MGlitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins @KateMessner I've been digging the Blue Balliett mysteries of late #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susanjsteward @susankayequinn I have a MG ms heavy in real (space) science. Turned down frequently for not being science fiction. #sigh #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn I'm writing an MG faery story - my 3 boys love it! @rj_anderson: am amazed how many 8-9 yo (and older) boys love my faery books. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KateMessner I loved Masterpiece! I also love the Blue Balliett mysteries. Chasing Vermeer, etc... #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @MaryAnnScheuer Great idea! A number of people in the room right now are on our MGTwitter List, but I should update it w/everyone #mglitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi @susankayequinn My novel is a hybrid of fantasy/sci-fi, and I think there will be many more of those in the future. #MGlitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @rachelnseigel Wow. I'm impressed you could grasp it! #MGlitchat -7:45 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @jscottsavage Cool mysteries & monsters. What can be better than that? #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

timothypower67 Kids like to read up, we know, but is there a point where they won't read down? #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JillCorcoran doesn't Pendragon have dead bodies on the first pages--that is 5th grade book #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @susankayequinn Slowly starting to see some. #yanno #withrealscience #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba I've been moving toward "scary safe" MG, but a lot of my ideas have to be revised down to be less creepy. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @LauriCorkum @elissacruz @john_zeleznik I think dead bodies can be in MG mysteries, just not abs. necessary like adult mysteries. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari I like the Charlie Bone mysteries! #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @LauriCorkum @elissacruz @john_zeleznik Like Stand By Me? Probably would be upper, me thinks. #MGLitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi @KKittscher Aliens? LOL! #MGlitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @lauricorkum I'm trying to come up with a scenario that'd work in lower MG, but I think I'd have to settle for "yes" #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner My 1st two MG novels w/ Walker/Bloomsbury were marketed 8-12. The next two will be 10-14, so more upper MG. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @susankayequinn Seeing a lot more dystopia trickle down. #yanno #withrealscience #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn RT @KarenninaPosa: RT @KKittscher: Wow. Very impressed with the turnout here! MG was hungry for its own chat. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage I know. Right? :) RT @KKittscher: @jscottsavage Cool mysteries & monsters. What can be better than that? #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba If you only knew the stuff that was cut out of draft synopses.... #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Brucewriting RT @KKittscher: @jscottsavage Cool mysteries & monsters. What can be better than that? #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

timothypower67 RT @KKittscher: Wow. Very impressed with the turnout here! MG was hungry for its own chat. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik @LauriCorkum I could see it being MG, suppose it depends on tone. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @LauriCorkum @elissacruz @john_zeleznik Depends on circumstances: gruesome? who is it (friend v. stranger)? #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner @rachelnseigel Me too! (I'm especially partial to THE WRIGHT THREE) #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

love8rockets RT @WaldenPondPress: I'm always told kidsread up (i.e. 11 year old won't read abt 10 year old protag), but don't always find that to be true #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @WaldenPondPress @MaryAnnScheuer I have a MG twitter list as well. Many (most) are on it, but I'm always adding. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @elissacruz I read that and my brain stopped at abs. I was like, what? I'll get me coat. #MGlitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @lauricorkum Goosebumps has plenty of dead bodies, so I guess like violence it comes down to realism #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

timothypower67 RT @WaldenPondPress: @MaryAnnScheuer Great idea! A number of people in the room right now are on our MGTwitter List, but I should update it w/everyone #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

editorgurl RT @thereadingzone: Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @rachelnseigel I think Gilda Joyce is a psychic, but I haven't read the series yet. #MGLitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ChocolateAir RT @susankayequinn: RT @KarenninaPosa: RT @KKittscher: Wow. Very impressed with the turnout here! MG was hungry for its own chat. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JillCorcoran well, if you have any questions for an agent that reps MG, ask away #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @michaelascotto I'm thinking yes, too... b/c death brings up issues of finality,etc. Loss of innocence. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn @kellypolark I have Earthling Hero on my nook! #yay #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @KateMessner @rachelnseigel I love THE WRIGHT THREE! #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer Graveyard Book starts with a knife and murder #mglitchat -7:47 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop Song Lyrics are a key question. Justin Bieber sings about love and 9-12 yr olds adore him. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman You really can't pin an age on a book. Every kid is different (even when adult like me) in reading, interest, maturity, etc. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross Hi All! Sorry I'm late :) #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

naveltwins We need to be careful not to get too caught up in age categories here. A well told story will find its audience #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @librarykelly @KateMessner Yes- me too! #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari Mary Downing Hahn has some dead bodies and Adam Gidwitz had a beheading and finger cut off and both of them are squarley MG #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling Some upper MG can be better appreciated by adults. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Sec_Solutions I like that "age ghettos" LOL RT @naveltwins such a good thing to remember, not to build age ghettos around our books #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @smozer Is Graveyard really MG though? It feels a lot like YA to me in voice and story #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk @susankayequinn Earthling Hero is on mine too! @kellypolark #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @mudmamba I'm having the "scary safe" conundrum as well. I always push it too far... #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner Yes. This. RT @thereadingzone Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling I love a story, any story, with a lot of heart. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

timothypower67 RT @naveltwins: We need to be careful not to get too caught up in age categories here. A well told story will find its audience #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari RT @naveltwins: We need to be careful not to get too caught up in age categories here. A well told story will find its audience #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

brianwyzlic @timothypower67 Unfortunately, it's probably around when they get into YA. They're "too mature" for MG, and it's an image thing. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

love8rockets RT @elissacruz: @WaldenPondPress @thereadingzone That is why I am on a mission to bring MG to the forefront. It's been on the sidelines too long. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @susankayequinn - A few definitely bridge the gap into sci-fi #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik Ultimately, isn't a lot of this determined by either an agent or an editor or a marketing person? #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JillCorcoran What are agents/editors wanting to see more of in MG? #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @naveltwins Agreed! #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @kellypolark Thanks so much! Can I walk around book stores with you shouting these compliments? ;-) #MGlitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @WaldenPondPress @elissacruz @john_zeleznik The dead body is a stranger they happen upon & are then pulled into the mystery. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling @KateMessner Or they won't read the next book. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @JillCorcoran Welcome! #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress RT @thereadingzone Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @jscottsavage I would consider it MG as much as some of the others mentioned. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn This is esp true of MG @naveltwins: not to get too caught up in age categories here. A well told story will find its audience #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis I chose 13 for my MC's age partially b/c of what she does in the story (goes on a plane alone, rides subways in NYC alone, etc.) #MGLitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa RT @naveltwins: We need to be careful not to get too caught up in age categories here. A well told story will find its audience #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi RT @KDuBayGillis: I chose 13 for my MC's age partially b/c of what she does in the story (goes on a plane alone, rides subways in NYC alone, etc.) #MGLitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @jscottsavage I thought Graveyard Book felt older too. #MGlitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling I love Minnie and Moo and they are early readers! #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @laurapauling ALL upper (and lower) MG can be appreciated by adults. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ceegates How about opening scene in The Graveyard Book? Violent and scary? Yes. MG? Yes. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

SherWordsGirl RT @susankayequinn: This is esp true of MG @naveltwins: not to get too caught up in age categories here. A well told story will find its audience #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage What I want to know if can MG authors get offended at lack of respect too, like YA? #missingout #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn @WaldenPondPress Good to hear! I would love to see real SF in the hands of MG kids. #proscience #fromthesciencegeek #mglitchat -7:49 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation @WaldenPondPress @thereadingzone For sure! I won't read YA that is too old or MG that is too young. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @elissacruz @MaryAnnScheuer - Good to know - thanks!! #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi RT @susankayequinn: This is esp true of MG @naveltwins: not to get too caught up in age categories here. A well told story will find its audience #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop And all those Wannabe BeiberBabes are feeling ready for it- even if 6-8 yo. A good thing? #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @jjhoutman @laurapauling Certainly should be! #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling @jjhoutman Yes, lower too. Depends on the story. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @librarykelly @PBWorkshop When I was 9, we all sang Like a Virgin! Had no idea what it meant, but she was cool. @JoWhittemore #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross @JillCorcoran Hi Jill! I've got a question :) Do you see too many MG manuscripts w twins? #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz I'm sure I missed a few #MGlitchat newbies, so welcome if this is your first time joining us! #officialwelcomewagon #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik @LauriCorkum @elissacruz I think that if it's about a mystery or a journey around the dead body, then it could be MG. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop It's the same principal I hated about Mary Kate and Ashley Olson books. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Robin_Weeks @jscottsavage LOL--Nope. Only YA can get offended. MG is too young for that level of tortured angst #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @rachelnseigel @librarykelly @PBWorkshop @JoWhittemore And don't forget Papa Don't Preach. Didn't understand that until way later #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @jscottsavage What do you mean? #MGlitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @john_zeleznik A lot of it has to do with who is getting killed and how. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser How did I not know there was a #mglitchat???? -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @rachelnseigel @librarykelly @PBWorkshop @JoWhittemore OH, me too! And Like a prayer! My grandma had a fit! #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

BethBowland @smozer I was just thinking about that book. Yea, and it's MG #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JillCorcoran @librarykelly humor a must for lower MG and is good in upper too. Voice in MG is very hard to nail. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop Alot of their books were about boys, makeup and going 2 the mall. For 7-9 yr olds? Really? #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JillCorcoran @mimicross twins? no #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @michaelascotto Yeah, and then the lines I'd been belting in public really started to sound embarrassing. :-) #MGlitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @susankayequinn - I agree, it's a great genre - would love to see it trickle down more #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LemmeLibrary RT @WaldenPondPress: RT @thereadingzone Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JenniferCEstes @mudmamba Yeah, that's where I'm at. Which is why ghosts are good. Reader's reaction is less intense/immediate. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @elliefalcone All the angst about people dissing YA authors. I want to be offended too But it's hard when you have fart jokes #MGlitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop How about celeb-authored books in general? Kids flock to fame...need alternatives. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @smozer @rachelnseigel @librarykelly @PBWorkshop @JoWhittemore Yes! #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

lisa_schroeder I hear from parents of kids as young as 6 who have read It's Raining Cupcakes w/ parent, and kids 10-12 reading it too. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @rachelnseigel @librarykelly @pbworkshop Bwahaha! #MGlitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner Was talking w/ my son about MG novels where people get killed - he pointed to Alex Rider series, which walks line between MG/YA. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @jemifraser It's new. This is week 2, and we're still getting the word out to people. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn @jemifraser Welcome! *waves* #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ReadingVacation @rj_anderson Yes - just a bit is perfect for me. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross @JillCorcoran Good to know, thanks! #mglitchat #ManuscriptsWithTwins -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser @susankayequinn Hi!! :) #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JenniferCEstes @mudmamba My own wip has ghosts, dead bodies, and other creepy stuff...but, less than, you know, stephen king kinda creep. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling Quite a few first graders read 5-7th grade books. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser @elissacruz Thanks! I'm glad I found it! #mglitchat :) -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik @LauriCorkum I think it can work. Who is it? Why'd they die? Kid is the sheriff or head detective's kid... #mglitchat -7:52 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop RT @JillCorcoran: @librarykelly humor a must for lower MG and is good in upper too. Voice in MG is very hard to nail. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @JillCorcoran @librarykelly - I agree, I think MG voice is much harder to nail than YA #mglitchat -7:53 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

lisa_schroeder So it is possible to write a MG that will work for a wide age range. #mglitchat -7:53 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @mudmamba Well yeah. But that happens everywhere. people are embarrassed to be reading anything that weighs less than 5lbs. :) #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rj_anderson @KateMessner I've read the whole Alex Rider series to my 11 yo son and sometimes I've had to edit on the fly - too gruesome. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @laurapauling I do worry if sometimes the younger kids are fully grasping - know some 2nd graders who read Harry Potter #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner I teach 7th graders, and they read both YA and MG, leaning a little more toward YA. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

MWLibraryDiva @timothypower67 I have heard that kids don't like to read about characters that are younger than they are. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @jscottsavage Oh. LOL. Um, I'm not too offended by stuff like that. Insult the readers? Gloves come off. #MGlitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum Alex Rider series @KateMessner What a great example! Thanks! #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross I think an MG voice almost always has to be super quirky, because actual MG kids can be so quiet . . . #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LemmeLibrary I'm late and off topic, I'm sure, but as a librarian, I use the word TWEEN for middle grade kids... anyone else? #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling @rj_anderson But boys love gruesome! #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

hannahmosk RT @thereadingzone: Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KarenninaPosa we need a future chat on writing the MG voice #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ceegates @elliefalcone @jscottsavage My middle school students, 10-13, loved Graveyard. Deliciously scary. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman I think I write MG because I've been stuck in middle school for 40 years. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JillCorcoran @librarykelly I keep hearing this. Basically, you would an 11 year old with a 30 year old's vocabulary? #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop My worst nightmare! They lack life experience to match.RT @laurapauling: Quite a few first graders read 5-7th grade books. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @jjhoutman @pbworkshop @rachelnseigel I once thought song "Tubthumping" was motivational "I get knocked down, but I get up again" #MGlitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross @timothypower67 Lol! I'll have to check it out ;) #mglitchat #Twins -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser Lightning Thief & Ranger's Apprentice series both super popular with my MG students & adults #mglitchat -7:54 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @JillCorcoran I hear a lot about how difficult MG voice is to get right. Do you think that's true for upper and lower MG? #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rj_anderson @laurapauling They do, but I don't! :) #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @PBWorkshop Completely agree #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Mike_Jung Re: people dying, WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER is about a protag with a fatal illness. Not violent/graphic, but emotionally intense. #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

lisa_schroeder I read the most when I was in that 8-12 year range, have really strong memories of books then, so I LOVE writing middle grade. #MGlitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @laurapauling - they were great readers but I wondered if they got nuances or message #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @ceegates Did you read it out loud to them? #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz @KarenninaPosa *adding voice topic to the list* #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

laurapauling @smozer Me neither. #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

kellypolark @AnshaKotyk @susankayequinn Double YAY! I have EH on my computer. Still oldschool. But my daughter will get ereader for 9th bday. #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik @jemifraser THe Ranger's Apprentice series is a great fantasy, never mind MG! It really steps up quite well. #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @mimicross my own key when attempting an MG narrator is to drop my cynicism, approach everything in near-complete earnest #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

NikiBurnham RT @thereadingzone: Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @LauriCorkum - I'd say depending upon the complexity and content of the rest of the story - it could go either way #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop I have an easy solution- I don't stock them. (with few exceptions liek Jamie Lee Curtis #mglitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone Do you, should you, call upper mg for boys "tween"? #MGlitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @SoonerBookworm Oh, yes! Are You There God? was racy reading for me. #MGlitchat -7:55 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser @john_zeleznik I agree - I love the books and the kids keep reading them after I introduce it! #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis @jjhoutman I think I write MG b/c those years were so brutally hard for me...and I want a redo! #MGLitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis RT @KarenninaPosa: we need a future chat on writing the MG voice #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner @lisa_schroeder Yep- The books I read when I was 10 are the books that made me who I am. That's why I write MG. #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore @jjhoutman @pbworkshop @rachelnseigel Is it not? R we the kids that get N trouble 4 not paying attention in class? #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop Agree! RT @KarenninaPosa: we need a future chat on writing the MG voice #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @john_zeleznik @jemifraser The one problem w/ that series is the characters get too old by last books. Readers drop off #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Right there! RT @KDuBayGillis: @jjhoutman I think I write MG b/c those years were so brutally hard for me...and I want a redo! #MGLitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @hannahmosk Or just understand it at their level. @cecilseaskull 's has a great artic on her interp of Deenie's "special spot":-) #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross @mudmamba Interesting, that's why I asked @JillCorcoran 'cause I'd heard something similar 2 days ago. #mglitchat #DoNotWantToGiveUpMyTwins -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop I was thinking about that earlier. And perspective. #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @lisa_schroeder I've heard from readers from 8 to 15 (and up to 70, in fact). Is that a wide enough range? #mglitchat -7:56 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ClaireCaterer RT @KateMessner: @lisa_schroeder Yep- The books I read when I was 10 are the books that made me who I am. Thats why I write MG. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone I hear ya. RT @KDuBayGillis: @jjhoutman I think I write MG b/c those years were so brutally hard for me...and I want a redo! #MGlitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser @smozer I haven't finished it yet - only in the first few. I'll look out for that! #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn Yes! @PBWorkshop: Agree! RT @KarenninaPosa: we need a future chat on writing the MG voice #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk RT @KDuBayGillis: @jjhoutman I think I write MG b/c those years were so brutally hard for me...and I want a redo! #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

lisa_schroeder I think of books for tweens as different from middle grade. After all, books for tweens are often shelved in the YA section. #MGlitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop I agree- Curtis has some actual talent! #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner @elissacruz @KarenninaPosa Hmm...what will we say about MG voice? I think that's the hardest part of writing to teach. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @hannahmosk Here's the link to theLARB article: http://tinyurl.com/43cblut #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum @michaelascotto Earnestness... great word. Couple that with a sense of innocence and apply that. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross @michaelascotto That makes sense, and then add the quirks? ;) #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @PBWorkshop @KarenninaPosa Apparently. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore Ooh. That's a good question. Thoughts, @WaldenPondPress? RT @elliefalcone: Do you, should you, call upper mg for boys "tween"? #MGlitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JillCorcoran gotta make dinner for 8 hungry teens...more soon #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage How about books per year? Harper is having me do 2 a year. in HB Which I like. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari I think MG allows children to explore tough topics like death, family issues, divorce in a really safe way #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

lisa_schroeder @jjhoutman haha, yes - that's wonderful! #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

SMullenGilbert Me too :) RT @JoWhittemore: @SoonerBookworm Oh, yes! Are You There God? was racy reading for me. #MGlitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @PBWorkshop If hte book is good, I'll take it. I've read good things about the Hilary Duff so am willing to give it a shot. #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @Brucewriting @Susankayequinn - I'd say as a genre it's under-represented in MG, but Larklight is a good example #mglitchat -7:57 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

john_zeleznik @jemifraser @smozer Biggest compliment I got for my YA fantasy was that it reminded the editor of RA. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimicross @mudmamba Lol! I almost made one the figment of the other's imagination! #mglitchat #Twins -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba I would happily strike the word "tween" from the English language. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser @john_zeleznik Now, THAT's a compliment! :) #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @JillCorcoran Whoa! Intense :) Good luck! #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman @JoWhittemore @jjhoutman @pbworkshop @rachelnseigel You mean it's not motivational??? #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer @john_zeleznik Nice :-) #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @jscottsavage Nice problem to have! :) #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

kellypolark @jmaschari @laurapauling I see that too. 2nd graders may be able 2 sound out words, but not mature enough for full comprehension. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mudmamba What was wring with "pre-teen"? #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

mimiteacher I teach 7th/8th graders. Generally kids read "up" their age, love to read about older kids. My students love high school stories. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ClaireCaterer RT @mudmamba: I would happily strike the word "tween" from the English language. | Thank you! #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KateMessner MG voice is so varied - when I'm writing young, funny MG, I'm in a totally different mindset than when I write upper MG novels. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage Agreed. It's like a non target target. RT @mudmamba: I would happily strike the word "tween" from the English language. #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rj_anderson As a 10-11 yo I read some adult books aware there might be edgy content, but if I found that stuff in MG it really upset me (1/2) #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum Vocabulary is an issue- do we dumb it down or write at a higher level to expose MG readers to new words? #mglitchat -7:58 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis Just in case folks need to leave, thanks for being here!! Check out the blog later for a transcript http://t.co/5kCUVG5 #MGLitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @JoWhittemore @WaldenPondPress @elliefalcone Eek. I don't think so. #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

susankayequinn I agree. I wish we had a better word. @mudmamba: I would happily strike the word "tween" from the English language. #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @mudmamba Agree :) #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jemifraser Only a very small % of my students (gr 5/6) want to read anything by/about celebs #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elliefalcone @mudmamba :::high five::: #MGlitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage True! RT @PBWorkshop: @jscottsavage Nice problem to have! :) #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

ceegates @jscottsavage Read it to some, but others read on their own. #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KKittscher @KateMessner @elissacruz @KarenninaPosa I agree. I'm not sure voice can be taught, really. I feel like it's built over time. #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PHCMarchesi Loving the chat, but have to go (unfortunately)...see you all next time. And remember, fantasy/sci-fi rules! :) #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

michaelascotto @mimicross Quirks are great "tells." You can learn things chars don't necessarily even understand about themselves #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

Shelley_Watters RT @JillCorcoran: well, if you have any questions for an agent that reps MG, ask away #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jjhoutman RT @KDuBayGillis: @jjhoutman I think I write MG b/c those years were so brutally hard for me...and I want a redo! #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rj_anderson (2/2) because I felt like my trust had been betrayed. I expected books written for my age to be a safe haven. #mglitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @JoWhittemore @jjhoutman @pbworkshop I don't know that song. I'll have to look it up. #MGlitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

LauriCorkum RT @KDuBayGillis: Just in case folks need to leave, thanks for being here!! Check out the blog later for a transcript http://t.co/5kCUVG5 #MGLitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

JoWhittemore @jjhoutman @pbworkshop @rachelnseigel Probably not the "pissin' the night away" part. ;-) #MGlitchat -7:59 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

WaldenPondPress @JoWhittemore @elliefalcone - Great question, I would be careful with that since upper MG boy can be a tough sell already #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

KDuBayGillis Thanks to @elissacruz for kicking off #MGLitchat and @Rachelnseigel for co-hosting tonight (and wrestling with the transcript!) #MGLitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

actualteen RT @thereadingzone: Kids self-censor very well. If a book is too young or too old for them, they will put it aside. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

PBWorkshop @LauriCorkum Vocabulary should be organic- arise out of the characters and situations so context will support it. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jmaschari @LauriCorkum I think incorporating higher level vocab is fine if there is context + it makes sense in the confines of the story #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

jscottsavage @ceegates I like that approach. Read enough to get the kids hooked and let them at it. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

librarykelly @LauriCorkum See, I think Sisters Grimm is another good example here as well. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

elissacruz And for those who want to be added to the unofficial #MGlitchat writers Twitter list, let me know. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

AnshaKotyk RT @KDuBayGillis: Thanks for being here!! Check out the blog later for a transcript http://t.co/5kCUVG5 #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

smozer Our reading staff developer always says, "Do you really want a kid reading The Giver and saying what a nice story?" #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

kellypolark @JoWhittemore Ha! If I'm ever in TX, I'd be glad to. :) #mglitchat -8:00 PM Jul 28th, 2011

  

rachelnseigel @KDuBayGillis @elissacruz Thanks 2 my awesome co-hostesses and 2 everybody 4 coming out. #MGLitchat #MGLitchat -8:01 PM Jul 28th, 2011