Children’s and middle grade stories have all the same elements of longer, more complicated novels, but in a condensed format. As writers, we can benefit from studying the way they’re structured. Keeping stories short and simple is a bigger feat than you’d think. This month, we’re THRILLED to welcome our guest reviewer, Savannah Gilbo. Join us as we dive into the world of children’s stories!
Guest Note: Savannah Gilbo
Savannah Gilbo is a certified developmental editor and book coach who specializes in helping fiction authors finish their drafts and write stories that work. As a fantasy fiction writer herself, Savannah is intimately familiar with the struggles and fears writers face on a daily basis. Through her coaching and curated resources, she helps authors push through those blocks and achieve their goals. You can learn more about Savannah on her website.
Children’s and Middle-grade fiction is all about helping young readers understand the world they live in and their place in it. These stories are packed with entertaining lessons that give younger readers all the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges such as welcoming a new sibling to the family, being bullied, finding courage, losing a loved one, having compassion, or gaining a sense of self.
Not only that, but children’s and middle-grade fiction inspires the next generation and helps them to imagine what’s possible, and who they can become as adults, too.
It’s important to note that children’s books and middle-grade fiction are not just limited to young readers. Adults can, and should, read children’s books and middle-grade fiction, too. These stories give adults an avenue to connect with and understand the kids in their lives, whether that be their own children, the neighborhood kids, their students, their nieces and nephews, or even the kids they used to be themselves.
For this month’s book, I chose Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech for a few reasons. One, I absolutely LOVED this book when I was younger and it’s a story that’s always stuck with me throughout my entire life. Two, I wanted to look at this story as an adult to see if I could figure out why I used to love this book so much. What exactly was it that I drawn to? Why did this story resonate with me so much? And finally, I’m trying to read more books outside of my fantasy-comfort-zone this year, and this story definitely fits the bill!
March #WritersRead Book Club Chat:
Thursday, March 26th @ 7pm EST
Join on Twitter!
Reading Prompts for Book Club!
- What was the structure of the book you read?
- Did the book you read have a character arc?
- What was the point or message of the book you read?
- What was your favorite part of the book you read?
- What’s your biggest takeaway from this month’s read?
SAVANNAH’s PICK:
EMILY’s PICK:
RACHEL’s PICK:
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