I'm writing a collection of short stories (followed by two squeals that are also short story collections) about the same characters: A 40-year old inventor (Thomas) and his 12-year old assistant (Barney). They are both equally the main character. But, they both deal with emotional problems that kind of fit their age group.
Let's start with Thomas (the inventor): His main problem is that he's afraid to love because he's broken people's hearts in the past. He allows himself to have friends, but never gets closer than that with people. He believes love doesn't result in a happy ending. He knows a lot about science. Things I don't think MG readers would know (but it has been years since I was in middle school). Like the shape of cells, how eyes see color, or how liquid nitrogen reacts in extreme heat. He also mentions an ex-girlfriend putting a gun to his head, after he broke up with her. Bottom line is that Thomas makes me lean more towards something older than MG
Now to Barney (the 12-year old assistant) He just started middle school (6th grade) after being home schooled by Thomas for years. He has a crush on a girl and some of the kids at school make fun of him. Oh, he can also turn into an alligator-creature when he gets stressed or angry. His backstory is that his parents-- who he doesn't remember-- mixed him with a prehistoric alligator and then abandoned him (this isn't reveled until the second collection, though) Barney is smart and kind of understands the science-y things I mentioned above that Thomas knows. Barney makes me lean more towards MG.
I asked someone and they said MG, but... I don't know. YA? MG? Or something else?
Thanks!
Let's start with Thomas (the inventor): His main problem is that he's afraid to love because he's broken people's hearts in the past. He allows himself to have friends, but never gets closer than that with people. He believes love doesn't result in a happy ending. He knows a lot about science. Things I don't think MG readers would know (but it has been years since I was in middle school). Like the shape of cells, how eyes see color, or how liquid nitrogen reacts in extreme heat. He also mentions an ex-girlfriend putting a gun to his head, after he broke up with her. Bottom line is that Thomas makes me lean more towards something older than MG
Now to Barney (the 12-year old assistant) He just started middle school (6th grade) after being home schooled by Thomas for years. He has a crush on a girl and some of the kids at school make fun of him. Oh, he can also turn into an alligator-creature when he gets stressed or angry. His backstory is that his parents-- who he doesn't remember-- mixed him with a prehistoric alligator and then abandoned him (this isn't reveled until the second collection, though) Barney is smart and kind of understands the science-y things I mentioned above that Thomas knows. Barney makes me lean more towards MG.
I asked someone and they said MG, but... I don't know. YA? MG? Or something else?
Thanks!