Determining age or grade level

[MadScientistMatt]

Unique had suggested that maybe I should try writing for children. There is one major obstacle I have with that, though - I'm not sure how to tell what age level writing is appropriate for. As I'm not a parent, I'm not too sure how to judge what kids can understand at what age. Any tips?

[DenimSoul]

Hi. I don't have kids of my own either but what I do is go to the library and check out a LOT of children's books and try to study them. See the format, sentence structures, words used, etc. There is also a book called "Children's Writer's Word Book" by Alijandra Mogilner and it tells what words are appropriate for each age level and what obstacles kids face and are thinking about at each age level. Hope this helps. Good luck. Have fun. I love children's picture books, there are so many awesome books out there for kids. Most are more entertaining than books for adults. (just my opinion though).

[Storyteller5]

Read. Read. Read.

The best way to get an idea is to visit the library and read. Books are often sorted in bookstores by age as well. :)

[stormie]

In addition to going to the library and reading as many kid's books as you can, you can do a search on Amazon.com. On several books, if you sign in, you can "Look inside the book," study a the few pages you're given, and that will help give you an idea.

Barnes & Noble online occasionally has free courses on writing for kids. It's usually just passable, but at least gives you some insight.

[MadScientistMatt]

Thanks. Guess it's the usual "read everything you can find in your target market" method that's the best. I'll also look into the online courses.

[Unique]

Hey Matt -
I saved this bit when I checked into a writing job for textbooks. (no, I didn't apply).
It was from Elance - hope they don't mind my sharing it with you.


The following are sources we use that may be of help to you, although the first two are currently out of print. We also use, but do not rely solely upon, Spache (Grades K-2), Dale-Chall (Grades 4-12), and Fry (all grades) readability formulas.


Dale, Edgar, and Joseph O’Rourke. The Living Word Vocabulary. Chicago: World Book--Childcraft International, 1981

Harris, Albert J. and Milton D. Jacobson. Basic Reading Vocabularies. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1982


Taylor, Stanford E., et. al. EDL Core Vocabularies in Reading, Mathematics,

Science, and Social Studies. Columbia, SC: Educational Development Laboratories, Inc.,
1989


Mogilner, Alijandra. Children’s Writer’s Word Book. Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest
Books, 1992

Also, the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level can be found under “Readability Statistics” in Microsoft Word under “Tools”, then “Spelling and Grammar.” Click through all the suggested corrections. At the end the “Readability

[emerald dragonfly]

Wow! I never thought about someone writing childrens books and not having children. I raised 5 of my own kids, 2 neices and now, my 7 1/2 month old grandson. How lucky I am!

It was easy for me what to write because my kids would ask me the most unusual questions or ask "why" all the time. Kids are a backboard to books. They know what they want to read...something new, exciting and unrealistic. (That's just my kids ideal book.)

I still write for the grade school level, 6-12 years old. I enjoy it and so does my kids.:) Next spring, I will be attempting to write for young teens genre. I am hoping all goes well.

Keep on reading!

emerald dragonfly

[kmm8n]

I teach 2nd grade and many of my students read at a much higher level (4th and 5th). Unfortunately, I have a hard time finding books with the appropriate level of vocabulary that are not about complex subjects that my second graders don't have the background to understand. My students really enjoy mysteries. An example of a book that has great vocabulary, but the topic is not too hard to understand is Bunnicula. My students also really enjoy Roald Dahl books (but I think some of the topics covered are not appropriate for seven year olds.)

[Mamawamba]

I work in educational publishing and have to run everything I submit through the Lexile analyzer. It won't analyze content, but it can give you a good idea of what level of reading comprehension is required to understand vocabulary, sentence structure, etc. It is a pain in the patootie for me as a writer to get my text to fall within a specific range, but might help guide you if you are worried about something being too simplistic or too difficult for children at a certain reading level.



http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=ed&tabindex=2&tabid=16&tabpageid=335

You have to register to use this site, but it is easy.

[LucyEllenH]

Hi, all;

Cavalry to the rescue! Not necessarily with writing those books, but with a publishing niche: Wooden Cat Books (http://olliedude.com/woodencat_home.htm), specializing in books for kids reading above grade level. I'm just starting out, so I need to build my catalogue and am avidly welcoming submissions. (link to the Paying Markets board here (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24179), but there's nothing there that isn't on the website.)

In terms of determing the reading level of an already written text, the Lexile analyzer costs $$ to use (since it's a basically commercial venture), but I found a freebie online tool (http://resources.aellalei.com/writer/sample.php) that will give you the Flesch-Kincaid reading level. It usually correlates pretty well with Microsoft Word's calculation, but not with other analyzers I found linked on Wikipedia (check "readability".)

I get the sense that the only way to go is to 1. read a lot of children's books, and then 2. check with real children (and teachers.)

[Puddle Jumper]

I agree with reading. Go read some books that target the age range(s) you're interested in targeting that way you get a feel for how to write to that age group.

I remember when I was a journalism major being told that to write for a newspaper meant to write on a 3rd grade reading level. My response was - how in the world am I supposed to do that when I don't remember what that level is like? I always felt like I was writing for pre-schoolers because I felt it was way too simple and would insult intelligent readers. Like writing...

The fox went to school today. He took a lunch box and a backpack but because it was his first day, he didn't have any books. He only had some paper in a folder and a few pencils.
"I like school," said the fox. "I have a great teacher and lots of friends.
etc...

You can't use too many comma's, you always have to use the word "said" with quotes, short sentences are the best.

Anyway...