The manuscript that my agent is currently shopping is written for children who are in the range of 7 - 10 years of age. My main character, Emma is in third grade. It's an interesting age to be writing for, since, according to my personal experience and teacher friends, kids are at all different reading levels, some still struggling with simple chapter books, while others are already reading mid-grade novels. For research, I dove into reading anything recommended for ages 7 - 10. I discovered books written more recently, almost all series: Captain Underpants by Dave Pilkey, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (this is recommended from ages 8-12), and Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. And I re-read books that I remembered from my childhood: Freckle Juice and The One In the Middle is the Green Kangaroo, both by Judy Blume, and all of the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. Interestingly enough, I remember HATING Ramona Quimby by the third grade, then being assigned to read one of the many books that starred her. Looking around the room to see if my teacher was watching, I tapped my nearest classmate on the shoulder. "Hey, wanna trade books?" She shrugged, we traded, and my teacher caught us. I was stuck, reading about the pesky, bratty, always in trouble for doing silly things, Ramona Quimby. I survived, but barely. At least I could relate to her older, wiser, calmer, sister Beezus. Re-reading all of the Ramona books as an adult, I love Ramona and her adventurous attitude, and her big sister Beezus came across as boring in comparison. What I like best about the Ramona series, is that Ramona, whether she is loved or hated, is memorable. Her actions, her character drives all of her books forward, making the reader question, "what will she do next?" Reading this series inspires me to create characters as interesting (hopefully) as Ramona Quimby.
-Jounal - Thanks Nita for the heads up! :)
