The Middle Grade Novel - Language

'Clinetele' strikes me as over the head of most kids, and I don't think it would be worthwhile to pull a reader out of your novel just to look that one up. 'Customers' would work fine. 'Proclamation' and 'smattering' would work pretty well, I think.

My guideline would be 'anything that obviously sounds like it's in a foreign language, especially French, cut'. Not that I have anything against foreign languages, I just don't think most middle graders would understand 'clientele', 'bourgeoise', or 'rendezvous', for example. Also, most foreign words like that have easier synonyms, like 'customers', 'middle-class', or 'appointment/date/meeting'.

I could easily put any of those into a middle grade. My only issue is that all of these appear in two paragraphs, which, unless these are very long paragraphs, is a bit overwhelming. You have to remember that truly some kids will have problems with all of those words. Now I don't take issue with that. Where else are they supposed to learn new words if not books? But you don't want to overwhelm them, make them feel stupid. And while you don't want to be condescending, you also don't want to come across as the opposite, pretentious. You also want to make sure that the sentences leading up to such words offer the chance for the kid to figure out their meaning on his own. Think of it like a foreign language in an adult book. Too many of the foreign words together and you have no idea what the character is saying. But one placed strategically in a sentence, and you can figure it out.

But definitely don't shy away from the more complex words. It's always so interesting. I get questions from adults all the time on why I use the vocab I do, but kids? Not once. They don't care that I might have a complex word in there now and again. As long as they are enjoying the story and aren't feeling talked down to, they are happy.

Just think to yourself, "WWRDD"


What would Roald Dahl do?


You can't go wrong.


(I think the words, if surrounded by enough words that point to its meaning is a great way to learn and expand the vocabulary of the reader. Don't sacrifice your meaning or your voice.)

I think all the words would be fine, depending on the age range of the audience you are writing for. I believe the use of larger and more complex words is good to use in children's books because it educates children about new uses of language and gets them thinking on a whole new level, above what they are used to.

Best Wishes.

I think those words are fine, though I'd agree with Toothpaste that all in two paragraphs might be troublesome. If you're concerned about them, make sure the context of the sentence is one where the reader can get the gist of it even if they aren't sure of the word.

I read Fablehaven recently, which is MG, and it had quite a lot of complicated words in it.

It's also possible that your book is more upper MG, which bridges the older end of MG and the younger end of YA.

If they're not too concentrated, I really think it's fine. That's how kids learn new words anyway - reading. I'm not saying a middle-grade novel should be constructed like a textbook, but the words you mentioned don't sound like too much of a stretch to me.

KTC said:

I am presently editing my middle grade. There are some words in it that I am wondering about. I began this novel as an adult, then switched it to a YA and finally switched it to a middle grade. It just felt right. Now, I am questioning some of the words I use. But my heart tells me to leave them in it. I don't like dumbing down and I think it's a good idea to leave some words in there that would cause a child to ask what it means and in turn cause them to turn to a dictionary. What do others think of this?

For an example, I will give you a couple of these words from my first 2 paragraphs:

proclamation
smattering
clientele
ridicule

It is not filled with big words, not by a long stretch, but the voice I use does tend to use a few big words here and there. I look at the four above and think they are acceptable for a middle grade, but I'm not sure. I can't put myself back there. I've been reading a few and they don't seem to dumb down. It's hard being on this side of the fence to know what is acceptable.

Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

Leave them in. How do you think I learned those words when I was a young reader? =)