In thinking about what the difference between middle grade lit and YA lit to me one of the main differences is the reading level. Middle school lit can still cover the same hard topics that YA lit does. I find that in middle school lit topics, language, and presentation is somewhat different as well. The way that I think of it is when you read the first Harry Potter it is written from the perspective of an 11-year-old. It covers a variety of topics, such as learning to starting at a new school, standing up for good, being a friend, and bullying. Because it is from the perspective of an 11-year-old it muffles the harshness of the bad stuff and shows the innocence of the good. I find that is the greatest difference between Middle school and YA lit is innocence. If we move on to the last Harry Potter book it is noticeable that this book is much darker and even though it still covers similar themes that are presented in a much more “young adult” manner.
The book that I chose to read for this week was Wonder by R.J. Palacio. One of the major themes in this book is kindness and being kind to others. In many aspects Wonder reminds me of the first and second Harry Potter books, in the sense that it is still the point of view of an 11-year-old Auggie who is starting middle school. Auggie was born with two different chromosomal abnormalities and because of this it affects his face.
What I find so engaging about this book is that as hard as middle school can be by its self, but with the added circumstances for Auggie I am amazed at his attitude. At 10 he realizes the difference between someone being mean out of ignorance or being too young and being mean to be mean. Auggie is different and he knows I and he gets upset at times but overall, he is very ok with his condition. It shows that simple kindness can do “wonders” for the world.