Divisions of Young People's Literature

There are four main categories of literature for young people:

• Children's Literature (ages 0-8)
• Wordless picture books
• Regular picture books
• Easy books
• Illustrated chapter books
• Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
• Upper Range (longer novels, very few illustrations)
• Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White   

• Middle Grade/ Tween (ages 8-12)
• Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
• Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
• George by Alex Gino
• The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

**People often confuse MIDDLE SCHOOL with MIDDLE GRADES!**

Middle school books are for 6th-8th graders, ages 11-13. They deal with more mature subject matter geared towards middle schoolers and may not be appropriate for younger children. Examples are:

• Drama by Raina Telgemeier 
• Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
• Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

• Young Adult (ages 13-18) More mature subject matter, stronger language, not appropriate for middle grades
• Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
• Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
• Nimona (graphic novel) by Noelle Stevenson
• Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

• New Adult (ages 18-30) Recent high school graduates, first college experiences, first sexual experiences, first major relationship, older teens and early 20's dealing with adult issues without adult supervision.
• Sweet Home by Tillie Cole
• This is Falling by Ginger Scott
• November 9 by Colleen Hoover (Colleen Hoover is one of top authors for new adult fiction)

Knowing these main divisions certainly helps me in recommending books for students and for my own children. I know I have dealt with deciphering between the middle grade and middle school books for my own 10-year-old daughter. I am glad to know this distinction now! I have seen firsthand how kids want to read about others older than them, but it's important to know some of the older kids' books deal with more mature subject matter they may not be ready for.