Writing for Children: The fully fluent reader

 

 

 

The reader

The reader is aged roughly 9-11 and often in the second two years of junior school. They are no longer dependent on the reading scheme and want to choose books that look like the ones adults and older children read.  They are firmly in Piaget's concrete operational stage; they can measure and calculate. However, they are not yet into abstract thought. They recognise make-believe for what it is. They understand and expect the normal patterns of story.  

What the books look like

They will usually have a thick spine and on average contain 45,000 – 60,000 words though there are many exceptions outside of this range. The text is usually blocked. The font is usually seriffed, with difficult 'a's and 'g's. There are few pictures though some may have decorative icons at the beginnings of chapters. Occasionally the font and the line-spacing may be a little larger than in books for adults and older children. The books certainly look like "proper" books for these readers.     

What to think about when producing the text for the fully fluent young reader

As these children know what to expect from a story you need to make sure your story has a firm structure.  

Sub-plots

Also for the first time we are likely to have a story with several sub-plots. The relationship between the main plot and the sub-plot is important.

We can see this in Palacio's Wonder(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonder-R-J-Palacio-ebook/dp/B00755MHXG ) :  

Main plot: August gains acceptance

Sub-plot 1 – circle of friends

Sub-plot 2 – friendship with Jack

Sub-plot 3 – attitude of family

Sub-plot 4 – Amanda

Sub-plot 5 – hearing-aids   

Have a go

Now have a go at planning a story. You will find now that you will devote several chapters to each of

Inciting incident:

Growing complexities:

Crisis point:

Climax:

Also similar arcs will be making their way through the sub-plots.

How will you set your plan out?

Suggestions:

·         Mindmap

·         Spreadsheet

·         Filing cards

·         Writing software such as Scrivener.

If you really are a "panster" and can't be bothered with this amount of detailed planning, try analysing a book for a fluent reader instead.

Some books to study

Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston  (2022)

The House of Serendipity: Sequins and Secrets by Lucy Ivison and Catharine Collingridge   (2021)

How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino (2020)

Five Children on the Western Front by Kate Saunders (2014)

Inkspell  by Cornelia Funke (2005)  

Five Children on the Western Front by Kate Saunders (2014)