Stuck in the Literary Middle
The Middle Grade Book Access Dilemma Middle school students, typically aged 11 to 14, find themselves in a unique and challenging phase of their literary journey. They are often caught in a gap between the abundance of children’s books and the vast selection of Young Adult (YA) and adult books. While there is a significant market for books aimed at preschool and elementary children, and high school students and adults have greater access to transportation and funds to acquire books, middle grade students are left with fewer options.The Statistics Speak: Limited Middle Grade LiteratureA report from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) highlights that the publication of middle grade books significantly lags behind other categories. For instance, while the number of children’s books and YA novels continues to grow, middle grade literature does not receive the same level of attention and investment from publishers. It is our duty to make books accessible for middle grade students. Why Are Middle Grade Books Scarce? How to promote reading among middle schoolers. Parents and caregivers are more likely to buy books for younger children, often as gifts or educational tools. High school students and adults, who have more autonomy and financial means, can purchase books of their choosing. Middle schoolers, however, are largely dependent on adults to provide them with books, making them more vulnerable to being overlooked during book purchases. This neglect happens at a critical developmental stage when these young readers are deciding whether reading will become a lifelong habit.The Consequences: Potential Decline in Lifelong ReadersThis lack of access to middle grade books can have long-term effects. If middle school students do not have a ready source of reading materials, they might lose interest in reading altogether. This period is crucial for fostering a love of reading, and without engaging and age-appropriate books, students may turn away from…
