I have been told by a few people now that my story, so far at least, might not be what is termed "middle grade" but might in fact be characterized by the publishing world as "young adult". Does it matter? Well it does to me. When I was a fourth-to-eighth grader I liked books with mystery, adventure and magic, mostly age-appropriate stuff with a sprinkling of adult fiction like The Lord of the Rings and Watership Down. But I still liked middle grade books when I was in high school (and still do).
What I never liked was "young adult" or "teen fiction". I thought teens were annoying when I was a teen. Did I want to read about some skinny love interest named Devon or Chase who slouches around staring with his "sparkling green eyes"? Or a heroine named Kelsey or Skye with her "flowing raven hair" and a love affair with her own insecurities? No I did not.
The pointless killing of characters for shock value alone, teens with drug problems and uncomfortable underage sexual encounters- ICK- for Pete's sake spare me the ABC After School Special Novel, even if it IS dolled up with supernatural creatures. Give me characters who actually love life, seek adventure, do very little whining, and care about something outside of themselves. If you want some examples, I have here a reading list from my younger days to keep you busy on a rainy autumn night...
The View from the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
The Winter of Enchantment by Victoria Walker
The Curse of the Blue Figurine by John Bellairs
Witch's Sister by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
We Dare Not Go A-Hunting by Charlotte MacLeod
The Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
In the Circle of Time by Margaret J. Anderson
The Ghost Garden by Hila Feil
Captain Butcher's Body by Scott Corbett
