THE CHILDREN'S BOOK ACADEMY
  • Home
    • THOH KidLit Creative Retreat
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • Mastering Graphic Novels
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship

Magical Middle Grade Novels

12/17/2017

0 Comments

 
by Bryan Patrick Avery

Last month, in honor of picture book month, we covered a few wonderful picture books that we could learn from. This month, I’d like to look at the other genre I’m passionate about: middle grade novels. First up, one of my favorites, Liar and Spy.
​
Penned by Newberry Medal winner Rebecca Stead, Liar and Spy is spy thriller and part friendship tale. It follows the experience of Georges (the S is silent) who moves into a new apartment building and befriends a boy named Safer, who he meets at a Spy Club meeting. Safer is smart, but dealing with some personal issues. Georges is looking for a friend, and dealing with some issues of his own. As the two boys track Mr. X, a fellow resident Safer is certain is up to new good, Safer becomes more demanding and Georges begins to wonder if this friendship is worth it.

Picture
What makes this book particularly satisfying is the ending. As Georges and Safer work through their issues, we learn something about Georges issues that change everything we thought we knew about his life. When I first finished the book, I wanted to start over again from the beginning just to see how the story felt, armed with this new information revealed at the end. Rebecca Stead has created a story that hooks readers with compelling characters, an interesting premise (who can resist a spy club) and an ending the packs a killer punch. It’s a terrific read, and we authors can learn a lot from Liar and Spy.
​
Speaking of compelling characters, Rita Williams-Garcia has created an amazing protagonist in her National Book Award finalist novel, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground. When Clayton’s grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd dies, and Clayton is forbidden by his mother to play the blues, his one dream is crushed. Clayton had always dreamed of playing with Cool Papa and his band, the Bluesmen. Frustrated, sad, and a little bit angry, Clayton sets out to join the Bluesmen before they leave town.
Picture
What follows is a journey that takes Clayton across New York City an into some rather precarious predicaments. He might not find the Bluesmen, but he is able to find himself. Clayton’s journey of self-discovery is an excellent example of character development and of how to build a flawed character who we still want to root for. I highly recommend it.

For many of us, writing humor proves to be quite challenging, Terrible Two, written by Mac Barnett and Jory John provides a useful blueprint for successfully merging comedy and story into an engaging story. When Myles moves with his family to Yawnee Valley, he brings with him the reputation of being his old town’s best prankster. He quickly discovers that he is not the only prankster in Yawnee Valley and struggles to find his place. The new mystery prankster bests Myles at every turn until he reveals himself and the two decide to join forces. When they decide to plan the greatest prank ever, it will take all of their smarts to pull it off.
Picture
What’s great about Terrible Two is that the humor doesn’t overtake the story. The book manages to be funny and suspenseful. Readers will not be able to put the book down once Myles and his partner start to execute their plan for the greatest prank ever. But they will laugh as they carry it out. If you haven’t read it, check it out. It’s fun and provides some great examples of mixing humor and story in a productive way.
​
That’s all for this month. Have a magical month!
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome new bloggers!!

    Here's our lineup:
    1st Mondays begin with editor/art director, & CBA Director Mira Reisberg PhD who is handing her Mondays over to awesome former now traditionally pubbed students to widen their audience.

    2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books.
     

    3rd Mondays will feature
    Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer, man of mystery, and professional magician among other things.

    4th Mondays will feature STEM, STEAM & SEL obsessed author Kourtney LaFavre sharing delightfully dorky, quirky, and fun info.

    And 5th Mondays will feature Libyan American author Koloud Tarapolsi sharing wonderful diverse books.

    Enter your email address to follow this blog:

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Picture
Discover
Why Us?
Courses
Blogfish
Book Shoppe
About Us
Meet the Academy Faculty
Community
Contact Us

Privacy Policy
Join Us
Social Media
Join our Community and receive a fabulous free gift, yummy newsletters, scholarship info, contests, and more!

Like us on Facebook 
Join our interactive FB Group  
Find us on Twitter 
Follow us on ​Instagram  
Look for us on Pinterest
​
Watch us on YouTube
© 2012-2021  All content on this website is copyrighted. Sorry, all courses are non-refundable.
  • Home
    • THOH KidLit Creative Retreat
  • WRITING
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • Mastering Graphic Novels
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship