Thursday, October 11, 2012

Oct 10, 2012 Transcript--The Line Between Upper MG and YA


elissacruz So, let's get this show on the road. @AnshaKotyk and I are hosting, though I am mostly just here for my good looks. ;) #MGlitchat -7:03 PM Oct 11th, 2012

 
AnshaKotyk @elissacruz Yes. LET #MGlitchat -7:03 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk Yes, let's #mglitchat -7:04 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @elissacruz And good looks they are. :) #MGlitchat -7:04 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk RT @AnshaKotyk: So tonight we discuss the difference between YA and upper MG. #mglitchat -7:04 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @AnshaKotyk What you can see from the 3mm pic. ;) #MGlitchat -7:04 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @elissacruz *smacks @KDuBayGillis soundly on the noggin'* #mglitchat -7:05 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss hahaa, Hi Elissa & Ansha - who're BOTH look pretty good to me ;) #mglitchat -7:05 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS Can we start with regular MG vs upper Mg for a baseline? #MGLitChat -7:05 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
michaelascotto @maliseherrera usually some prompts but things broaden over the hour #mglitchat -7:05 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters *seconds that* RT @AnshaKotyk: @elissacruz And good looks they are. :) #MGlitchat -7:05 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone This. RT @Bec_AS: Can we start with regular MG vs upper Mg for a baseline? #mglitchat -7:05 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
maliseherrera #mglitchat - I'm a middle school principal who has moved up from elementary and looking to learn much more about MG vs. YA! -7:06 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Yes! RT @Bec_AS: Can we start with regular MG vs upper Mg for a baseline? #mglitchat -7:06 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk arg just deleted my #mglitchat thread... sigh tweetdeck -7:06 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @Bec_AS I like your idea (with your permission, @AnshaKotyk--I'm here just to smile and make you look good, remember). #MGlitchat -7:06 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone Is tweetchat slow or is everyone asleep? #mglitchat -7:07 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @elliefalcone slow. and my brain is too. #mglitchat -7:07 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase Ahhh nearly forgot about the chat! #mglitchat -7:07 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss good to have you with us @maliseherrera #mglitchat -7:07 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @elliefalcone My tweetchat is slow-ish, so it's not just you. #MGlitchat -7:08 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk So let's start with definitions. loosely. #MGlitchat -7:08 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase I'm having an identity crisis so this subject is time-ly #mglitchat -7:08 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
loritayseastep If everyone's like me, they're listening to the debate AND tweeting... #mglitchat -7:08 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @elliefalcone Hi Everyone! I think it's slow. #mglitchat -7:08 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
RosanneParry I did a post at Middle Grade Mafioso about deciding between YA & MG for my latest novel. http://t.co/0ulLMAdi. Take a look! #mglitchat -7:08 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz So, what is the difference between MG and upper MG? #MGlitchat -7:09 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @maliseherrera Awesome! We welcome you to #mglitchat! And now, for some reason, I want to sing the "Lollipop Guild" song... -7:09 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @AnshaKotyk I judged YA last year for Cybils and was suprised at the number of books that I considered MG included. I use age #mglitchat -7:09 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @elissacruz I think upper MG has slightly older characters but the themes remain the same. #MGlitchat -7:09 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 Mostly lurking here tonight... #mglitchat -7:09 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz Some days I swear it's only a matter of MC's age. But that can't be the real reason we have MG and upper MG, could it? #MGlitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase Although subject matters, if a protag is a certain age it sort of automatically falls into one category over the other for me. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea I admit, I still get confused on this one. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss so now we've decided we're all here, even if #mglitchat and our brains are slow, I vote @RosanneParry tells us wot she knows! #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
christinesarmel Hurray! First time in forever I've made #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
maliseherrera @paulachase - age of the main characters? #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @christinesarmel Welcome! #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
hatbooks Generally speaking, MG is for readers age 8-12, YA is for readers age 13-18. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis I think approach to the subject matter as one of the differences between MG and upper MG and YA. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @PaulaChase Then what do you do about Harry Potter, for example? Starts out 10, ends up 17. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
RosanneParry @elissacruz Age of protagonist and complexity of plot. IMO. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @elissacruz Nope. My sweet YA the protag was 14 and I was told many times it really should have been upper MG #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 I'm a teacher of advanced readers in upper elementary. #mglitchat -7:10 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk YES> RT @KDuBayGillis: I think approach to the subject matter as one of the differences between MG and upper MG and YA. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Yay! me too :) RT @christinesarmel: Hurray! First time in forever Ive made #mglitchat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
michaelascotto @AnshaKotyk I'd agree that protag's age is a factor. Also more freedom in terms of figurative language #mglitchat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS :( I don't want it to be strictly age. {pouts} There *has* to be more! #MGLitChat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Taking copious notes tonight, folks. Send me your wisdom! #mglitchat #amrevising -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
loritayseastep Age + subject matter. Both count. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @Bec_AS I feel like it's more than age. The style of writing, like @michaelascotto mentions. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 I think YA also includes more "touchy" subjects - more mature themes like awareness of sexuality #mglitchat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @hatbooks Generally that is. But sometimes there are those books which are really hard to determine. #mglitchat -7:11 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @Bec_AS I think it's more themes than age. Not all Ya has older characters, and not all MG has young ones. #MGLitChat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @AnshaKotyk I third that as well. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @Bec_AS I agree with you. It's much more than age. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone I like to think I writer upper so my word choice is different. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @KDuBayGillis I think so too! Whether it is more edgy or handled with care #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @elissacruz I agree with you. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @elliefalcone Definitely! #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @mselke01 Yes. I would classify upper MG as not touching on young adult themes like sex. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz I think it has something to do with what I call "sensibility." Subject matter, how it's handled, and complexity all play a part. #MGlitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
michaelascotto RT @rachelnseigel: @Bec_AS I think its more themes than age. Not all Ya has older characters, and not all MG has young ones. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 I need the sophistication of YA and the "clean lack of sex" of MG for my readers. #mglitchat -7:12 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @mselke01 But upper MG books are starting to get quite edgy. It's almost like subject matter trumps age these days #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone yeah, i can type derp #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @elliefalcone What does the "upper" buy you in extra word count? #MGLitChat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss issues, relevance to the reader, vocab - subject? wot about relationship stuff? #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @elissacruz Yes that! #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes But can't upper MG at least acknowledge feelings of...crushing? Like liking someone? #mglitchat I think so. -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis I also agree with complexity of plot as a difference btwn MG and upper MG. Maybe layering of themes and subplots. #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
maliseherrera My thoughts too but have found many surprises! MT @mselke01: I think YA also includes more "touchy" subjects more mature themes #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
RosanneParry @elissacruz Older MG is often longer w/ smaller type, and a more densely printed page. Not writing concerns but book design #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 @JenniferCEstes Yes, absolutely! #mglitchat -7:13 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @JenniferCEstes I don't see why not. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea But it's like some say SEE YOU AT HARRY'S--which is one of my fav bks this year-is really YA. I disagree. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
loritayseastep @JenniferCEstes Yes! I def think so. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk Definitely! RT @JenniferCEstes: But can't upper MG at least acknowledge feelings of...crushing? Like liking someone? #mglitchat I think so. -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea I think SEE YOU AT HARRY'S is MG. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @RosanneParry Interesting. #MGlitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @JenniferCEstes Yes, we'd say it can - but we find it can't go all that much more beyond that without becoming YA #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @Bec_AS I always try to hit above 35K and then let the story dictate. I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer that one officially. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase What are publishers saying about the difference? Because we write what we write. It's in how they categorize these days #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes So, isn't that the stirring of budding sexuality? Which some say is YA territory? I don't agree, but some think so. #mglitchat -7:14 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
jjhoutman I like to say that YA is about falling off the cliff, but MG is about teetering at the edge. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
christinesarmel Earlier MG more focused on friendships. Upper MG has more hints of early romance - or at least boys aren't yucky anymore #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Really? WOW @elissacruz Older MG is often longer w/ smaller type & densly printed page. Not writing concerns but book design #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 I was having this discussion about Seraphina - sophisticated language but the romance is very innocent #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @elliefalcone Yes--is no one considering prose style? Upper MG closer to YA in word choice, sentence complexity. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone More subplots. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase It almost feels like age of the protag is the last factor in upper MG vs MG vs YA #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @JenniferCEstes Yes, I think they acknowledge crushes, but it doesn't get dominate the story #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @PaulaChase To some degree it's age categories- 8-12 vs 10-14. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress You tend to find a lot of school stories in the younger middle grade arena - think Andrew Clements #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone RT @jjhoutman: I like to say that YA is about falling off the cliff, but MG is about teetering at the edge. #mglitchat -7:15 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 @ilanawaters Yes, that's what I need! Beautiful, challenging prose #mglitchat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @jjhoutman I like that analogy #mglitchat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @JenniferCEstes Yes, definitely! 6th grade is when crushing really gets underway. #MGLitChat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes I agree, totally. I didn't know some thought it was YA. *eh?* *confused* RT @ixtumea: I think SEE YOU AT HARRY'S is MG. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk RT @rachelnseigel: @PaulaChase To some degree it's age categories- 8-12 vs 10-14. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Yes, this. RT @elliefalcone: More subplots. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
christinesarmel Voice also makes a difference. Seventh graders sound different than fifth graders. And the last bits of naive disappear. #mglitchat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JoKnowles @ixtumea Yes, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S has been reviewed as YA many times. But also as MG. Where do we put age 12 mc's? #mglitchat -7:16 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase Keeping in mind that by 7th grade kids really are dealing with a lot more "teetering" over the edge so they read up fast #mglitchat -7:17 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress On the age question - a 16 or 17 year old protag probably means you have a YA book, anything younger and it could be MG. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Are any genres off base for MG vs YA? I know each age/reading group have their preferences. MG usually like more action/adventure #mglitchat -7:17 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters RT @elliefalcone: RT @jjhoutman: I like to say that YA is about falling off the cliff, but MG is about teetering at the edge. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @JoKnowles @ixtumea 12-year-old MC is usually MG unless it's a very mature topic. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @marciabooks @JenniferCEstes But 6th graders are reading up, so they are heading toward the YA books, or will soon. Right? #MGlitchat -7:17 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @JoKnowles I feel like a 12 yo MC is MG. But that's based on age alone. #mglitchat -7:17 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress I generally use that model, but what about when a character progressively ages over the course of a series? #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JoKnowles What does "mature" mean? Who defines? :) RT @rachelnseigel: 12-year-old MC is usually MG unless it's a very mature topic. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 @PippaBayliss We need more MG and upper MG science fiction! #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
loritayseastep RT @rachelnseigel: 12-year-old MC is usually MG unless its a very mature topic. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @elissacruz I have a sixth grader and even though he's still reading MG? He's been sneaking into my YAs. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @JoKnowles 12-year-old suffering sexual abuse? Probably not MG- in my view anyway. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis @JoKnowles @ixtumea HARRY'S reviewed of YA b/c of age of MC or b/c of sexual orientation themes? I think HARRY'S is upper MG. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 @JoKnowles I think we underestimate the upper MG's ability to handle sensitive stories like this. They CAN #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @WaldenPondPress In my series the protag started out at age 14 and that was YA. But it was "sweet" YA so it walked a line #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks I think age 12 or 13 is MG, and 15 is YA. 14 seems awkward. Libraries label SO many MGs as YA! #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss AGREE! RT @mselke01: @PippaBayliss We need more MG and upper MG science fiction! #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS Does 13 MC mean upper MG or YA or is that the age to which never give your MC? #MGLitChat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @elissacruz Yes, reading up. So you figure 4th graders are reading MG with 12yo mcs...so, nothing too mature. #mglitchat -7:18 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @marciabooks Uh, oh. Don't tell me that! I have a sixth grader! #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 @ixtumea My fifth grade is sneaking into YAs. I try to help him make good choices. #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone I say let the story dictate; worry about the particulars later. #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @JoKnowles Exactly. I think the dynamics are confusing b/c it's what readers are ready for vs. what the market is comfortable w/ #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel - That's a good question - I'd say the the latter books in the series are likely bridging on YA #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @Bec_AS I think 13 is a tough age, that tween age. It depends on the subject matter~ #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @marciabooks My local library shelves some books in both MG and YA sections #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes RT @elliefalcone: I say let the story dictate; worry about the particulars later. #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel - And you end up with something like Harry Potter which seems to be classified as both MG and YA #mglitchat -7:19 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
loritayseastep Our local library doesn't separate between MG and YA at all! Sigh #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @PaulaChase @JoKnowles Isn't it silly to make such hard and fast distinctions based on a number? #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @elissacruz @JenniferCEstes Oh, yes, I'm sure lots of 6th graders read up. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @mselke01 Me too. Or we discuss the book. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @ixtumea @elissacruz 'sneaking into' lol I remember reading 'older' stuff as a kid :-) #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @AnshaKotyk Ah, mine does too! And, some MGs are in YA...but some chapter books are in MG. I think we're all confused, LOL. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone Apologies if I tweet something about the yankees. lol #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JeanGiardina @Bec_AS I made my MC 12 just to avoid that age line. #MGLitChat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @elliefalcone I agree. But the reality hits when it's in submission phase. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 @WaldenPondPress Which was fine when the kids were growing WITH the books, but is harder now that they are all out. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress I was just about to reference that! What if the content stays pretty innocent despite aging of characters? #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes We welcome the updates! RT @elliefalcone: Apologies if I tweet something about the yankees. lol #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
mselke01 @lshullinger Yes, we all did that right? We underestimate kids a lot. #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @Bec_AS I'd argue it's likely MG #mglitchat -7:20 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @ilanawaters Absolutely! I can tell some stories about what middle school kids yet thematically it would be too mature for a book #mglitchat -7:21 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @ilanawaters @PaulaChase @JoKnowles yes, it is. Because kids read what interests them at their own level of maturity #mglitchat -7:21 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @JenniferCEstes What I like is the library orders 2 books, one for Mg and one for YA. :) #mglitchat -7:21 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @PaulaChase Sounds like a younger YA book - in many ways upper MG and young YA kind of blend together anyways #mglitchat -7:21 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Agree! RT @AnshaKotyk: @JenniferCEstes What I like is the library orders 2 books, one for Mg and one for YA. :) #mglitchat -7:22 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Publishers seem to have clear guidelines they expect us to stick to for MG and YA - one is MC's age & situations being relevant #mglitchat -7:22 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @AnshaKotyk I get that, since some readers are ready for a book at 10 and others at 14. But it sure confuses lots of folks! #mglitchat -7:22 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @PaulaChase Yeah, that's a reality that's hard to pin down. lol #mglitchat -7:22 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @WaldenPondPress It feels like an MG age to me, too, but there is so much uncertainty about it. #MGLitChat -7:22 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @WaldenPondPress @Bec_AS so it's a case-by-case basis? #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel @JoKnowles - It's also interesting to point out that sometimes young characters (MG age) + heavy themes = adult #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KristineAsselin I think it's interesting that we not only have YA and MG, but upper MG and younger YA. :) Lots of overlap. Depends on publisher? #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Am #mglitchat -ting and listening to the Yankees. Best of both worlds! -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress Like "Room" for example. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase Feels like the market for YA is pushing some books that maybe traditionally would be YA into Upper MG based on subject matter #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
garbergrumble This is s great topic, nit clear cut by any means #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @lshullinger @PaulaChase @JoKnowles Exactly. Not all twelve year olds are the same. And many YA's read adult books. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea My sixth grader is reading graphic novels and he really enjoyed the latest Patterson book on Middle school. #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS So let's say you DON'T want to cross that line from "upper MG" to YA: What would you avoid? #MGLitChat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone As MG reaches world domination, do you think they're gonna have to come up with a different shelving set-up? #mglitchat -7:23 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @Bec_AS @anshakotyk Different people will likely categorize it differently - in that in-between gap, it's hard for 100% agreement #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea I really think this age is hard. I know it is for me. They want to be big kids as long as mom/dad are around. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @elliefalcone I have a category for grade 4-6 and then 6-8, and 14+ in my showroom/store. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @elliefalcone I would love to be able to trust that. Not sure I do. Agents seem to not like "in between." #MGlitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @JenniferCEstes @AnshaKotyk Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime was adult in US and YA in UK. Weird? #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes I'm curious why, since this comes up, the idea of "tween" books hasn't taken off the way you'd think it would've in recent years. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea I seriously think the president should have a committee of 10-12 yr olds. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @garbergrumble No it isn't and that's something to always keep in mind. Not you specifically... #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @ilanawaters loved that book, but could see it either way. #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @Bec_AS Wow that still leaves it so open. Avoid sex. Avoid cursing. Avoid dark/edgy themes. Avoid graphic depiction. My thoughts #mglitchat -7:24 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @JenniferCEstes I like to pretend I write 'tween'. :) #mglitchat -7:25 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis @Bec_AS tongue. : P #mglitchat (seriously, that's what people will say.) -7:25 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea Do you also think interest might be different per gender? #mglitchat -7:25 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss @ilanawaters There are always exceptions and always will be :) #mglitchat -7:25 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @AnshaKotyk See, that's where I'm at, but I guess were in a small (but very cool) group? #mglitchat -7:25 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder @Bec_AS Making out. #mglitchat -7:25 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @JoKnowles Who did you envision the reader for HARRY'S? Mg or YA? 10-14 or 12-up? Or...? #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @KDuBayGillis Lol, love it! #MGLitChat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
garbergrumble @PaulaChase interesting, I would have thought that the YA boom would have publishers funneling books into YA rather than upper MG #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ruth_donnelly Great topic. Just got here, trying to read thru previous comments to catch up! #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @Bec_AS Language beyond "crap," physicality, depth of emotion (1/2) #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea I do think sensitive topics should be in MGs. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis RT @ixtumea: I seriously think the president should have a committee of 10-12 yr olds. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @JenniferCEstes But really was the difference in "tween" vs. MG? I never really got it. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @JenniferCEstes We're on the brink of a revolution. ;) No one else knows it yet. :) #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @ixtumea I do! #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @PaulaChase I agree. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @ixtumea But without the graphic detail,I guess to keep it MG #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Agreed. Shameful to think that MG readers don't deal w/those issues. RT @ixtumea: I do think sensitive topics should be in MGs. #mglitchat -7:26 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KristineAsselin RT @AnshaKotyk: @JenniferCEstes Were on the brink of a revolution. ;) No one else knows it yet. :) #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes I always suspected! RT @AnshaKotyk: @JenniferCEstes We're on the brink of a revolution. ;) No one else knows it yet. :) #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @Bec_As More direct issues: can deal with things like alcoholism in MG but it's a little more vague (e.g. True...Sort Of) #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @garbergrumble @PaulaChase It could be that they are "full" on their YA quota, so they recategorize. #Idunno #soundsgoodthough #MGlitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea I'm homeschooling my sixth grader. Some of the things I hear/read? Wowza. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone Re: worrying about particulars later. I meant, write the story, revise (rinse, repeat) and find out where your story is. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
christinesarmel Maybe they have different buyers. Parents are used to buying MG. YA buyers usually pick out their own #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis @LaurelSnyder @Bec_AS See....told you! No tongue. LOL. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ruth_donnelly So true! RT @jjhoutman: I like to say that YA is about falling off the cliff, but MG is about teetering at the edge. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @ixtumea @JenniferCEstes I think sensitive matter can be tackled... it's just by what perspective. mg vs ya #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea Also we go to private lessons and twice a wk to a satellite school. Hear from those kids too what they want/like. #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @rachelnseigel Yes, good example or Lovely Bones #mglitchat -7:27 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @marciabooks @elliefalcone In-between sometimes means "no place to shelve in bookstore" = hard sell to publisher. #MGlitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes RT @AnshaKotyk: @ixtumea @JenniferCEstes I think sensitive matter can be tackled... it's just by what perspective. mg vs ya #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @Bec_AS I think it's voice. MG has a "still a kid" voice that YA doesn't. #MGlitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
michaelascotto @WaldenPondPress Because of Winn-Dixie had touches of that too #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @garbergrumble But with paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy being so huge in YA there's little room for just plain old sweet YA. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @JenniferCEstes We did read a book that dealt with gay bashing. I think they should be exposed to this while friends don't. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
garbergrumble @ixtumea agree, MG readers are looking for substance #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @WaldenPondPress I'm seeing quite a bit of Adult fiction featuring young characters. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JoKnowles @aecbks I like Candlewick's choice of 10+. But that means it's MG and YA? This is why I find it confusing. :) #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @christinesarmel Oooh good point. You still have parent gatekeepers with MG for sure. #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Sensitive topics and pushing the envelope in MG is all about execution. Okay For Now comes to mind, and Wonder - prolly many more #mglitchat -7:28 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
akossket RT @elliefalcone: I say let the story dictate; worry about the particulars later. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Interesting! @WaldenPondPress Im seeing quite a bit of Adult fiction featuring young characters. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel @PaulaChase @christinesarmel It took until I was about 14-15 b4 my mom stopped screening my reading material. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ixtumea @PaulaChase Yes, I agree. No graphic details though there was some in HUNGER GAMES and son read it at 10. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress Waiting for Normal is also another ex of an issues drive MG book that deals with intense themes. #mglitchat -7:29 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Again, it's all about mc's perspective on issues, sensitive or not..... #mglitchat -7:29 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @JenniferCEstes Bingo! #mglitchat -7:30 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @ixtumea Yes. Not helpful to kids to pretend that it doesn't happen, or can't happen, or is happening right now to a friend. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @PippaBayliss Great examples - although some people still ID Okay for Now as YA - what do you think? #mglitchat -7:30 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
akossket @elliefalcone I really hope they do. #mglitchat -7:30 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis @PippaBayliss Even ONE AND ONLY IVAN addresses alcoholism in a very understated manner. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @rachelnseigel I wonder when I'll stop screening my 12yo's... #MGLitChat -7:31 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @WaldenPondPress I LOVED Waiting for Normal! One of my favorite MG books. The issues were indeed more mature but handled well #mglitchat -7:31 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder @PippaBayliss Don't want to be a broken record, but for me, MG is about a kid discovering external landscape, YA is internal. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes I think that some people just say a book is YA if it is at all "sensitive" or about "issues", to help parents who don't screen. #mglitchat -7:31 PM Oct 11th, 2012
   
RosanneParry @christinesarmel I've come to like the phrase "aspirational romance" for upper MG. All the love, but nothing icky or too personal #mglitchat -7:31 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @JoKnowles The age categories are just ballparks to help gatekeepers. But the reader knows if it's right for him/her. #MGlitChat -7:31 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress Yes - definitely true: RT @JenniferCEstes: Again, its all about mcs perspective on issues, sensitive or not..... #mglitchat -7:32 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder There are a jillion MG books that explore issues. It's about whether the character is looking at them in a window, or a mirror. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JoKnowles YES! RT @aecbks: The age categories are just ballparks to help gatekeepers. But the reader knows if it's right for him/her. #MGlitChat -7:32 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @LaurelSnyder I love this. Please elaborate. :) #MGLitChat -7:32 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
TLT16 #mglitchat many libraries will put them in both J (MG) and YA collections because they really belong in both. -7:32 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone RT @aecbks: The age categories are just ballparks to help gatekeepers. But the reader knows if its right for him/her. #mglitchat -7:32 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress RT @aecbks: @JoKnowles The age categories are just ballparks to help gatekeepers. But the reader knows if its right for him/her. #mglitchat -7:33 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss @WaldenPondPress Tricky. I'd say Enders Game, Lord o/t Flies & Artemis Fowl are upper MG but are catag'd as YA from wot I've seen #mglitchat -7:33 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KristineAsselin Yes. RT @JoKnowles The age categories are just ballparks to help gatekeepers. But the reader knows if its right for him/her. #mglitchat -7:33 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder @Bec_AS Teens are trying to figure out who THEY are. Kids are still trying to figure out what the WORLD is. Kids adventure. #mglitchat -7:33 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @LaurelSnyder Never thought about it that way. Good perspective. #mglitchat -7:33 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes As a side note, some just don't give kids enough credit for being interested in sensitive topics, since they deal daily w/them. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
RosanneParry @LaurelSnyder @PippaBayliss Agreed! MG kids are all about figuring out the world and their place in it. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @PippaBayliss OK 4 Now grt example of a foot in both camps. Yet mss. get R'd 4 this. Hope it's not a matter of how big author is? #Mglitchat -7:34 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @PippaBayliss @WaldenPondPress Enders Game wasn't pubbed from a children's division so it crossed more boundaries. #MGlitChat -7:34 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @lshullinger Same here - it's a favorite of mine, and a great example of issue MG done well. #mglitchat -7:34 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @LaurelSnyder You know by that definition I stand by my belief that no matter how sweet my books are YA. It's all internal #mglitchat -7:35 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @LaurelSnyder Their place in the world, or just "how it works"? #MGLitChat -7:35 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JoKnowles Just an aside: It is really odd to be tweeting #mglitchat and #vpdebate at the same time. #balance -7:35 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder This is why later HP books edge into YA. Not because they're long or have kisses, but b/c he knows his world, is pondering self. #mglitchat -7:35 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
maliseherrera MT@laurelsnyder There are a jillion MG books that explore issues it's whether character is looking at them in window or mirror #mglitchat -7:35 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @JoKnowles Here ya. Trying not to tweet #yankees accidentally. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
jjhoutman They are ready for different aspects of YA at different times RT @JoKnowles The ... reader knows if its right for him/her. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @JenniferCEstes I think, in the minds of a lot of the general public, it's all YA. They consider MG to be "chapter books." #MGlitchat -7:36 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder @Bec_AS They are trying to navigate it, I think, but not struggling with big identity issues yet. If they are it's premature/ YA. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase Honestly, @LaurelSnyder just summed up the definition better than I've ever heard it. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @RosanneParry @LaurelSnyder @PippaBayliss Agree. But that's true of much YA as well-- kids figuring out their place in the world. #MGlitChat -7:36 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder So, like, a kid with druggie mom in MG is trying to find a way to get through that experience, help mom, find safe place to land. #mglitchat -7:36 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @PippaBayliss Good Exms. LOF seems typically to be read in high school, but doesn't mean some MGers are ready to read it. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @marciabooks @JenniferCEstes You're so right. General public doesn't get all wrapped up in diff between MG and YA. #MGlitChat -7:37 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @aecbks But to her point, in YA they're figuring out their place based on how they feel, how it impacts them. #mglitchat -7:37 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder Same kid, druggie mom, YA? Trying to figure out how to BE a kid with a druggie mom. "Is it my fault? Don't want to be her!" #mglitchat -7:37 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @marciabooks @jennifercestes Agree, the term "middle grade" generally isn't recognized outside the community:either YA or chp bks #mglitchat -7:38 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @JoKnowles IKR? Feel like my eyeballs are on fire. And this is such a great #mglitchat! -7:38 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder @aecbks But it's from INSIDE. They're gazing in a mirror, saying, "How will I dwell here, be this person, survive?" #mglitchat -7:38 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @aecbks: @marciabooks @JenniferCEstes We wouldn't either, if it wasn't for publishers! It's all their fault!!! #MGLitChat -7:38 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis @JoKnowles I'm loving it. Just like a peanut butter cup. Passionate about both!! #mglitchat #vpdebate -7:38 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder @marciabooks Yes, agreed. To the gen pop it's all YA. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @aecbks @PippaBayliss @WaldenPondPress I remember a ten year old coming into bookstore where I worked and asking for that. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone Die, spambot, die! #mglitchat -7:39 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @WaldenPondPress @marciabooks @jennifercestes So true. I can't tell you how often people ask me "what is MG?" #sigh #MGlitchat -7:39 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder You write the book. Then an editor may push it one way or the other, so its easier to sell. But really for sales to figure out. #mglitchat -7:39 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
loritayseastep @LaurelSnyder Great analogy! Thanks. #mglitchat -7:40 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @elissacruz I was recently in a group of various writers, only then agent understood me when I said upper MG. #sigh #MGlitchat -7:40 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @WaldenPondPress True. And to others still you say "YA" and they're like "oh kids books." Well, not kiddie,kids! #mglitchat -7:40 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
rachelnseigel #Mglitchat we need a whole new category- Middle Middle Grade! -7:40 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder Or not sales, but marketing? It's so they can shelve it. @lisabrowndraws has things to say about this. #mglitchat -7:40 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
kurtisscaletta Hi folks. Too late to join in? #mglitchat -7:41 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @PaulaChase Yes indeed! There are many who just classify everything as kid's books :). #mglitchat -7:41 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @kurtisscaletta You're always welcome! #mglitchat -7:41 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
maliseherrera #mglitchat - sometimes helpful for those of us in education who span the 11-14 age range. Our kids are quite different in 6th than 8th gr. -7:41 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @PaulaChase Also - can't tell you how many times I say I work in children's pub and person thinks we only pub picture books ;) #mglitchat -7:41 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @AnshaKotyk Sigh, indeed. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder My books are middle grade, but HUGE range of adventure/identity/tone. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss @WaldenPondPress I see gr 6 & 7 kids enjoying YA dystopian so that makes me wonder. S'pose it's all about reading comprehension #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis @kurtisscaletta Hi! How was bedtime? Glad you made it! #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase I agree the categories are primarily familiar only to insiders. But now even the insiders are getting confused. Is that just me? #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ruth_donnelly Doesn't help that NYT calls both MG and YA chapter books, bookstores have their own terms, and it's something else in the UK. #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @maliseherrera Totally agree - and kids change so much from year to year in MS - early 6th can be very diff. from end of the year #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
maliseherrera maturity, reading levels/ability, what the family has exposed and/or sheltered them from all make book choice more contentious! #mglitchat -7:42 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @WaldenPondPress *nods* Exactly. If it's not adult fiction then it's all kiddie to gen pop #mglitchat -7:43 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @PippaBayliss I know - younger kids too. One can say that much of it goes over their heads, but perhaps some kids could be ready? #mglitchat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @maliseherrera Agreed, a lot of variables. #MGLitChat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
RosanneParry @LaurelSnyder @lisabrowndraws Sometimes where it fits in school curriculum makes a marketing decision too. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Truth is, everyone just want to have neat, easily categorized titles. But bigger truth is, kids are not easily categorized. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @AnshaKotyk @elissacruz Yes! This is why agents say they get MG that's YA and YA that's MG. B/c evn librarians & wrtrs R confusd. #mglitchat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase Read a few Cybils books last year from YA category that fit @laurelsnyder pov of MG. I felt they were MG then convinced now! #mglitchat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @WaldenPondPress @maliseherrera Yes, so true! We can say MG but kids of 8 are so diff from kids of 12-13. #MGLitChat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @PaulaChase Which could be a good thing. Maybe it will break down barriers and make some books "publishable." #MGlitchat -7:44 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone What's the age range for confused? Haha #mglitchat -7:45 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @JenniferCEstes very true #mglitchat -7:45 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes RT @elissacruz: @PaulaChase Which could be a good thing. Maybe it will break down barriers and make some books "publishable." #MGlitchat -7:45 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters MT @JenniferCEstes: Truth is, everyone just want to have easily categorized titles. But truth is, kids not easily categorized. #mglitchat -7:45 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @elissacruz Dare to dream! #mglitchat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @aecbks @maliseherrera Yes! Such a wide array of reading levels & abilities w/in the MG space, prob more than any other age range #mglitchat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ruth_donnelly @ilanawaters True. A lot of preteens/early teens read both simultaneously. I did. Heck, I still do! #mglitchat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @elliefalcone 3-38yo is that age range, right? #MGLitChat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @JenniferCEstes LOL. I'm good at that. ;) #MGlitchat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @elissacruz You'd think. But the jury is still out for me. Pubs tend to over categorize sometimes. #mglitchat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk RT @WaldenPondPress:Yes! Such a wide array of reading levels & abilities w/in the MG space, prob more than any other age range #mglitchat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JeanGiardina @JenniferCEstes Absolutely! #MGLitChat -7:46 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
trkravtin I don't think deciding whether it's YA or MG first, is more important that a good story. A good story will find it's audience. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Tahleen Just joining, sorry for being late! Interested in this—my new job will deal mostly with MG-aged kids. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Yes, on age range. My 7yo *could* read things my 10yo does...but, should she? I think not. (Says her mother who knows her well) #mglitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @Bec_AS Might need to go higher for some of us. *cough* #mglitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @elissacruz It's what we love about you! #mglitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress @lshullinger @PaulaChase I can imagine :) - probably makes you feel a bit like a broken record #mglitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
LaurelSnyder I feel like I only recently figured out Little Women was YA. B/c it's "old fashioned" I read as MG. Same w/ Tree Grows in Bklyn. #mglitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @Tahleen Welcome! #MGlitchat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @ruth_donnelly @ilanawaters Mark of a great book if you can enjoy it for different reasons at different stages. #MGlitChat -7:47 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @trkravtin In theory, yes, absolutely. But when a book is "hard" to market? Can't count on it being found. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS @elliefalcone Darn. I thought there became a point in which we had it all figured out. :) #MGLitChat -7:48 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @LaurelSnyder Some classics remain a mystery to me, having not revisited them & thought about it. I read them all at MG age. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss The bottom line: I'm going to have to re-think my MG dystopian! #mglitchat -7:48 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @aecbks @ruth_donnelly Absolutely. This is what makes a classic. #mglitchat -7:48 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
jjhoutman RT @ilanawaters Mark of a great book if you can enjoy it for different reasons at different stages. #MGlitChat -7:48 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
kurtisscaletta Can't stay but one thing I'll say is don't worry about what your book is, just write it and let publisher/editor worry abt it. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @LaurelSnyder Sort of Like LIttle House on the Prairie #mglitchat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @Bec_AS *heavy sigh* I wish. #mglitchat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @elissacruz @PaulaChase Oh, I hope! #mglitchat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
RosanneParry Good news of the day @powells in Portland is doubling both their MG and YA sections in response to strong sales! #mglitchat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Bec_AS I've hid out long enough, and now I've been found- time to put the lil one to bed. It's been a really good chat! #MGLitChat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
shannonclark7 #mglitchat Want to recommend Between Shades of Gray for anyone interested in concentration/labor camps. Was a great story. -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elliefalcone @kurtisscaletta Exactly! #mglitchat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks Recalling favorite old adage "the right book for the right child at the right age" #MGLitChat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk @Bec_AS see you next week! #MGLitChat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
trkravtin A good book will find a market. If there are difficulties, then there are other issues at play. @PaulaChase #Mglitchat -7:49 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ruth_donnelly Good to hear! RT @RosanneParry: @powells in Portland is doubling both their MG and YA sections in response to strong sales! #mglitchat -7:50 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KristineAsselin Agree! RT @kurtisscaletta: Don't worry about what your book is, just write it and let publisher/editor worry abt it. #MGLitChat -7:50 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
maliseherrera #mglitchat thanks for sharing all your thoughts and ideas about MG and YA. It's been great! -7:50 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase It's been a very enlightening chat. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Another dream: a whole MG section in stores like YA is it's own! Now MG is housed w/picture books. Think everyone's confused. #mglitchat -7:50 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
trkravtin Now if you're talking SALES, then that is another issue. :-> @PaulaChase #Mglitchat -7:50 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
bonnyglen GREAT news! RT @RosanneParry Good news of the day @powells is doubling both their MG & YA sections in response to strong sales! #mglitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
RosanneParry @JenniferCEstes @LaurelSnyder I think the classics were marketed as "family fiction" at the time of their 1st printing. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @trkravtin I don't disagree in general. Just saying it's not always issues with the story. Marketing plays a part. #mglitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PaulaChase @trkravtin *bingo* #mglitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
trkravtin RT @RosanneParry: Good news @powells in Portland is doubling both their MG and YA sections in response to strong sales! #Mglitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @JenniferCEstes Oh, Man. I would totally love to open a MG-only bookstore. If I only had a million dollars I could lose... #MGlitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress Awesome news!RT @RosanneParry Good news of the day @powells is doubling both their MG & YA sections in response to strong sales! #mglitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @RosanneParry @laurelsnyder Back then, there was no such thing as children's literature! #mglitchat -7:51 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
TLT16 RT @mselke01: @PippaBayliss We need more MG and upper MG science fiction! #mglitchat -7:52 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Tahleen I think I have more trouble figuring out when a children's novel makes its way into MG territory. #mglitchat -7:52 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @elissacruz LOL! DH and I are always conspiring about opening a bookstore in town.... #mglitchat -7:52 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
trkravtin Yes, marketing is important. The role that publishers play within the market are also important. @PaulaChase #Mglitchat -7:52 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
aecbks @elissacruz @JenniferCEstes When I win the lottery I'll put up half that million. #MGLitChat -7:52 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @bonnyglen @RosanneParry @powells Woot! I love good news! And for those interested in the debate, Biden is kicking a$$! #mglitchat -7:53 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @KristineAsselin @kurtisscaletta Agree in theory, as did writers in the 70s & 80s, but today I think that way lies query trouble? #mglitchat -7:53 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Kellie_Celia @elissacruz @jennifercestes - I'm in on the MG bookstore! #bestideaever #mglitchat -7:54 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @marciabooks Yes. But bottom line: Best you can write, agents/editors fall in love, leave the shelving confusion up to them. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @PaulaChase Paula, you are I are on the same wavelength. #mglitchat -7:54 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk me too! sounds brilliant. RT @Kellie_Celia: @elissacruz @jennifercestes - I'm in on the MG bookstore! #bestideaever #mglitchat -7:55 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters MT @KristineAsselin: Agree! RT @kurtisscaletta: Don't worry about what your book is, just write/let publisher/editor worry abt it.#MGLitChat -7:55 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Holy cow! If we all pool our piggy banks MG BOOKSTORE DOMINATION IS OURS! #mglitchat -7:55 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @Kellie_Celia @jennifercestes YAY! Now to get the funding.... #MGlitchat -7:55 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk Just envisioning it is making me happy. :)RT @JenniferCEstes: If we all pool our piggy banks MG BOOKSTORE DOMINATION IS OURS! #mglitchat -7:56 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @JenniferCEstes All you need is love, love. Love is all you need... #mglitchat -7:56 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk Thank you to everyone for a great chat tonight on the wonders and confusions of our genre! #mglitchat -7:57 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
ilanawaters @elissacruz @Kellie_Celia @jennifercestes Great #mglitchat, everyone. Thank you hostesses! Let me know when lottery win is--will work 4 U! -7:58 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @AnshaKotyk And thank you to the hostesses! (In your honor, after last week, I bought some Hostess cupcakes!) #mglitchat -7:58 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk We'll work on getting the transcript up, along with our plan of funding a huge Middle Grade only bookstore... #mglitchat -7:58 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes LOVERT @AnshaKotyk: We'll work on getting the transcript up, along with our plan of funding a huge Middle Grade only bookstore... #mglitchat -7:58 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
KDuBayGillis I wasn't a very good #mglitchat participant tonight. I'm watching a debate between non-fiction and high fantasy. #VPDebate -7:58 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz Well, chat is winding down, and so am I. Thanks to all for yet another wonderful discussion. #MGlitchat -7:58 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes RT @KDuBayGillis: I wasn't a very good #mglitchat participant tonight. I'm watching a debate between non-fiction and high fantasy. #VPDebate -7:58 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
marciabooks @AnshaKotyk Thank you! It was quite a whirlwind. :) #mglitchat -7:59 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes @KDuBayGillis It's okay! Talk about stranger than fiction.... #mglitchat -7:59 PM Oct 11th, 2012
   
aecbks Thanks for an invigorating chat! #MGLitChat -7:59 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
elissacruz @AnshaKotyk Oh, I am so good with big projects.... *rubs hands together* #MGlitchat -7:59 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
AnshaKotyk Thanks everyone, see you all next week. Same bat-channel. or ya know tweet hashtag. (just doesnt' sound as good) #mglitchat -7:59 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
lshullinger @elissacruz Thanks everyone! Was fun! Goodnight. #mglitchat -8:00 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes RT @marciabooks: @JenniferCEstes All you need is love, love. Love is all you need... #mglitchat -8:00 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
Kellie_Celia @elissacruz @JenniferCEstes That is the question :) Oh, the titles I would handsell....#mglitchat -8:00 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
WaldenPondPress Great chat! Thanks so much @elissacruz & @anshakotyk! #mglitchat -8:01 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
JenniferCEstes Good night, all! #mglitchat -8:01 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Thank you lovely Elissa & Ansha. I'm going to have to read the transcript to work out if I learned anything but it was fun! #mglitchat -8:01 PM Oct 11th, 2012
  
PippaBayliss Kidding. I did learn something, I did, I did. #mglitchat -8:02 PM Oct 11th, 2012

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