How gross is too gross??

Ok, maybe that's not exactly what I mean. Here's my dilemma. It didn't seem like much of a dilemma, actually, until I wrote the scene.

I write middle grade fiction - specifically aimed at the 9-12 set. My current WIP has to do with a girl, the MC, and her three friends. They get sucked into a magical book and find themselves in ancient Greece. The only way to get out is to follow the clues, complete the tasks, and find the artifact that is hidden in the book (the artifact is the point).
Well, the first task has to do with the legend of Perseus. And here's the sticky part - someone has to cut off Medusa's head.
I've manage to write the scene with only a little bit of gore, but I'm wondering if the whole thing is just too much?

Of course, I've just read Doctor Illuminatus, and that mentions a disembowled dog <shrug>.
I'm just looking for opinions. Thanks!

I think you're on the upper level of MG with that age group. They can take a bit of gore. Just look at the movies they watch. My 9 year old loves the Lord of the Rings movies.

When you start thinking about how gruesome some children's stories can be, its tough to fine the 'gross' limit. Throwing a witch in oven and cooking her is from a story for young children. Same thing with a wolf eating your grandma and then getting chopped-up with an ax. Children delight in this kind of stuff, it's only human. The way you describe it is where the 'too gross' place is likely attained, not in the event itself. For example, you could say:

"Peter then cut off Medusa's head."

Which is not so bad, or you could write:

"Peter swung the sword through the air, cleaving Medusa's head from her neck. The blade made a sickening sound as it sliced cleanly through the monster's spine and aorta. Medusa's eyes expressed surprise before rolling back into her skull, which struck the ground and collapsed like a cantaloupe. Brain and fluid came out her nose as her jaw fell into a relaxed state. Blood spurted for fifteen yards, drenching Peter and his sword."

Not a great description, but maybe a little rough for children compared to the former.

I tried to respond last night, but it wouldn't go through. Thanks guys. The great thing about the scene is that you can't look directly at Medusa, b/c of course she might turn you to stone. So that helps with the gross factor. :rollin

I think it reads fine as it stands. Don't know why I was so worried about it in the first place.

Sounds good, Risseybug. Good luck with your stor!

If it gets gross, they just boot you up to YA. I think some of Vivian Vande Velde's stuff is written with a VERY middle grade voice (Ghost of a Hanged Man, for one, and There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around, for another) and yet they are consistently shelved with YA books in the library -- not in the middle grade. Why? Because they have "gross" bits. It's not the voice. It's not the overall content. It's the presence of a ghost with a broken neck and ...I'm not sure what's pushing the other one up. I think they are considered too rough for little kids. But I would have LOVED them at 10 and the language is right for that age.

So, anyway, your Medusa thing IS probably going to get you shelved with YA when you finally get published but I wouldn't worry about it too much now.

gran

I understand. You're probably right. My other book, the one being published now, is definately more middle grade. It has less of an edge to it, I guess. It's still a great story (although I may be biased just a bit) but I see the difference between that one and this already.

In kenneth Oppels new book, Airborn, the antagonist gets torn apart by flying cats at the end. It's kinda gorey (they say that they bit into his neck) but it's still a kids novel.
I'd say as long as you don't go into more detail than necessary, it should be fine, as long as your not targeting anyone younger than 8.