SHOW NOTES: https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-state-of-middle-grade.html

I love middle grade books! But what defines a middle grade book? What are the challenges to publishing for this age group? What is the state of middle grade literature today? To learn more, I invited 2 experts on the genre:

~ Librarian Karen Jensen, author of "Treatise on the State of Middle Grade and Young Adult Publishing Today" and creator of the Teen Librarian Toolbox blog on School Library Journal's website

~ Chris Baron, author of Jewish middle grade fiction and founding member of the Facebook group For the Love of Middle Grade

LEARN MORE:

• Transcript of the episode
• Chris Baron's website
• Chris's books: All of Me | The Magical Imperfect | The Gray | The Secret of the Dragon Gems | On All Other Nights
• Teen Librarian Toolbox's "Mind the Middle" Project
• Karen's Treatise on the State of MG and YA Publishing Today
• Author support groups: For the Love of Middle Grade | Mighty Middle Grade Authors | Middle Grade Authorcade
• Evaluating Jewish Representation in Children's Literature: A Guide for Libraries
• Authors promoting middle grade: Rick Riordan Presents | Dav Pilkey's Little Free Libraries | James Patterson's imprint | Ambassador for Young People's Literature Jason Reynolds
• Karen's middle grade reading recommendation: A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
• Chris's middle grade reading recommendation: Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero
• Podcast recommendation: Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong