Why Are Middle Grade Characters in Young Adult Books So Boring?

Are you frustrated with the middle grade characters in young adult books? Have you ever wondered why certain characters feel so boring or unrealistic? As a 13-year-old, your perspective is incredibly relevant and insightful. Your honesty and curiosity about middle grade literature are truly important.

Your Perspective and the Boredom Factor

It's not uncommon for middle grade readers to find characters in young adult books uninteresting. When these characters engage in activities like watching anime or exhibit an unusually mature behavior, it can be jarring and disengaging. Your feelings are valid, and it's worth exploring why this happens and how it might be improved.

What Makes Characters More Interesting?

So, what makes a middle grade character more engaging? For one, authenticity is key. Characters should feel like real people, not miniature versions of adults. Realistic dialogue, relatable actions, and genuine emotions can bring a character to life. For example, if a character genuinely enjoys playing video games or watching anime, their enthusiasm should be evident but free of excessive dramatization.

Your Friends as Inspiration

Your middle grade friends might offer the best inspiration for interesting characters. They have their own unique interests and quirks, and these traits can be incorporated into the characters you read about. Engaging with your peers and asking them about what they like can give you a better understanding of what resonates with other young readers.

Portraying Realistic Maturity

When middle schoolers are portrayed as unrealistically mature, it can come across as artificial. True maturity involves a range of emotions and experiences, not just an overemphasis on responsibility or overthinking situations. A middle grader who is genuinely feeling their emotions, making mistakes, and learning from them is more relatable than an overly mature version of themselves.

Triggers for Unrealistic Maturity

Could it be that writers of middle grade fiction find it challenging to separate their own adult experiences from those of actual kids? Writers often draw from their own memories and desires, which might lead them to portray characters in a way that reflects how they wish they had behaved rather than how they actually acted. This can result in characters who are too grown-up for their age.

Another reason could be the desire to create aspirational characters. It’s natural for adults to wish that their readers could aspire to these characters’ levels of maturity or handling of complex situations. However, this aspirational approach can backfire, especially when it feels forced or unrealistic.

Characters That Act Their Age

While it's true that many protagonists in middle grade books can come across as mini-grownups, there are exceptions. For instance, in The House on Mango Street by Susan Cisneros, the protagonist speaks from a deeply personal and honest perspective, which adds to her authenticity. Despite the challenges she faces, she maintains a sense of childlike wonder and curiosity, making her relatable and engaging.

There are also other examples of middle grade characters who act authentically. Novels like The Hungover Duck by David Rossetti and The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt provide excellent examples of well-rounded, realistic characters. These books capture the essence of what it's like to be a middle grader, complete with all the joy, frustration, and struggle that comes with it.

Conclusion

Your perspective is valuable. Middle grade books should strive to capture the essence of what it's like to be a young person. Characters should be relatable, with authentic interests and developmental imperfections. By focusing on these aspects, writers can create a world that resonates with young readers.