See also:
Children’s Book Writing I
Middle Grade/Young Adult Books

Middle Grade/Young Adult Books is an Intensive, meaning it happens in a short time span (1 day in NYC, or 2 days on Zoom). The course includes a mixture of lectures and exercises. It’s open to writers of any level. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.

As children grow and widen their experiences, they crave stories that challenge and excite them, meeting them where they are. The best middle grade and young adult novels tackle complex topics and truly inhabit the interior life of young people. These books can be life-changing for their readers.

Middle grade novels are for ages 8 to 12, encompassing such stories as Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie. Young adult novels are for ages 12 and up (into adulthood), encompassing such stories as John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone.

Here you’ll explore fiction craft though the lens of MG and YA fiction and gain an understanding of what sets apart these unique segments of the book world.

About Middle Grade/Young Adult Books
Middle Grade/Young Adult Books

Learn how to write develop and grow your MG and YA main characters.

Aldo Puicon

designer/writer

Upcoming Classes

If you test positive for Covid – Don’t come to class until you test negative. But let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.

If you show Covid symptoms OR If you have been exposed to someone with Covid – Don’t come to class for at least 5 days after showing symptoms or exposure, and then take a test to confirm that you are negative. Let your teacher know and we’ll work to give you access to your missed classes via Zoom.

If you have any questions about this, you may call (212-974-8377) or email us ([email protected]).
  • Saturday Jul. 27 & Sunday Jul. 28
    Zoom, 1pm – 4pm ET
    2-Day Intensive

Price

Registration fee $25, paid once per term

2-Day

Syllabus

This course gives an overview of the basics of writing middle grade and YA novels. Course components:
     Brief lectures
     Writing exercises

Topics:
     The Lowdown on Middle Grade and YA Novels
     Character
     Plot
     Point of View
     Voice
     Theme

Note: Content may vary among individual classes.


Teachers

George Jreije
George Jreije

George Jreije is the author of the Shad Hadid children's fantasy series, the novel Bashir Boutros and the Jewels of the Nile, and the forthcoming graphic novel Tarik’s Bazaar Adventure (all HarperCollins). He has also written short stories published in collaboration with UNICEF. He has taught for the Concord (Massachusetts) Library System, the Orlando Libraries, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. He holds a BS and an MBA from Clark University. 

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