Crowdsourced List of Middle School Authors

Having a list of authors is a great reference for our middle school readers.
Some authors include:
David Adler
Kwame Alexander
Katherine Applegate
Meg Cabot
Sharon Creech
Roald Dahl
Kate DiCamillo
Sharon Draper
Neil Gaiman
Jeff Kinney
C.S. Lewis
Cynthia Lord
Lois Lowry
Mike Lupica
Kate Messner
James Patterson
Gary Paulson
Richard Peck
Rick Riordan
J.K.Rowling
Jon Sciesczka
Gary Soto
Jane Yolen

Peck's Questions

Richard Peck wrote ten questions to ask about a novel. They are:

l. What would the story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex?

(helps diffuse sexual polarizations and stereotyping)

2. Why is the story set where it is? (Not where is the story set?)

(points out setting as an author's device)

3. If you were to film the story, would you use black and white or color and WHY?

(consideration of tone)

4. If you could not use all of the characters, which would you eliminate and WHY?

(characters which add texture vs. simplification for media translation)

5. How is the main character different from you?

(reader can identify without being like the main character)

6. Would this story make a good TV series? Why/not?

(ending focus and sequential nature of chapters)

7. What one thing in the story has happened to you?

(anecdotal response of recognition)

8. Reread the first paragraph of Chapter 1. What is in it to make you read on? If

nothing, why did you continue to read?

(hooks reader and awareness of author's intent in writing)

9. If you had to design a new cover for the book, what would it look like?

(deceptive packaging and consumerism) '

10. What does the title tell you about the book? Does it tell the truth?

(titles as narrative hooks vs. symbolic titles)

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels can be enjoyed by a wide range of readers.Graphic novels are not just for unmotivated or reluctant readers. Graphic novels are not just for kids, there are graphic novels that are written for adults.  Graphic novels combine text and illustration to convey the story (fiction) or information (nonfiction) similar to pictures books for young readers. However, graphic novels differ from picture books in their complexity. Parts of graphic novel include the cover and the inside pages. The inside pages consist of a variety of elements. Panels, squares or rectangles contain a single scene.Gutters are the spaces between panels. Dialog balloons contain communication between characters. Thought balloons contain character thoughts. Captions contain information about a scene or character. Sound effects visual sound clues,onomatopoeia, like Sizzle, Pow, Ring, Splash .Graphic novels are for all readers.

Fantasy/Science Fiction

Stories that violate the laws of physical reality fall into the genre of fantasy fiction. These imaginative subgenres use vivid, descriptive language to create alternate realities. Exploring themes of good versus evil and encouraging readers to suspend disbeliefs and search for a higher truth. Fantasy is characterized by magical elements set in wondrous worlds of fairies and wizards, talking animals and other beings, and objects with superpowers. Science fiction is a subgenre of fantasy. Science fiction is based on the impact of actual, imagined or potential science often set in the future.All of science fiction falls into the fantasy genre;  however, not all fantasy is science fiction. 

Criteria for Evaluating Science Fiction and Fantasy for Children

1. Despite the fantastic aspects of the story, characters must behave in consistent and believable ways.
2. There must still be rules for the fantasy world.
3. Authors must assist readers in the “willing suspension of disbelief.”
4. The themes should explore universal truths.

Nonfiction

Nonfiction is a genre, with several categories.Nonfiction text has various features to help readers find and understand the information they are seeking. General ideas of the text can be found in the introduction, and summary sections. When something is italicized or bold, it indicated something is important. Charts, maps, illustrations, and photographs provide visual ways to highlight key points. Helpful information can also be found in the glossary, index, and bibliography. Nonfiction reading is a tool for learning and understanding.

Realistic Fiction

These stories are set in modern times, sometimes referred to as Contemporary Realistic Fiction (CRF) or Modern Realistic Fiction (MRF). They are believable. Everything within the story is consistent with the real world.  Characters, settings, and events are real.

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction is any story set in the past. Depending on the age, history can be looked at differently. To young children it might be something that happened in the morning before school, where as older students might define it as a historical event that took place before we were born. Reading historical fiction allows readers the opportunity to vicariously experience what it might have been like to live in a previous time and place.