The Presence of Parents

Ruby · Dec 20, 2006

How important do you think the presence of the parent(s) are in an MG? How about a chapter book?

Toothpaste · Dec 20, 2006

I think a key thing for the story of an MG is that the MC should be the problem solver. So whatever adventure he/she has, it needs to be resovled by them, and not sort of deus ex machina with the parents interveening. I think there is a reason why so many books have their MC as an orphan. It isn't done because everyone else does it, but because it means the MC has to take care of himself, and can't go running to a parent for help. Nonetheless, I do think you can have parents in an MG, just make sure they don't spoil any of the fun! They do make an excellent obstacle though.

Don't know much about chapter books however. Anyone else?

karenmary · Dec 20, 2006

Toothpaste said:
I think a key thing for the story of an MG is that the MC should be the problem solver. So whatever adventure he/she has, it needs to be resovled by them, and not sort of deus ex machina with the parents interveening. I think there is a reason why so many books have their MC as an orphan. It isn't done because everyone else does it, but because it means the MC has to take care of himself, and can't go running to a parent for help. Nonetheless, I do think you can have parents in an MG, just make sure they don't spoil any of the fun! They do make an excellent obstacle though.

Don't know much about chapter books however. Anyone else?

I can speak as a mom ... my son's favorite chapter books have parents mentioned in them but only in the intro and the conclusion (Magic Tree House Books). I like that it makes it real to him, though on the chidren's adventures, they are without their parents.

KML

The Presence of Parents

Ruby

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

karenmary