You found us! Emblazon is a BRAND NEW website that celebrates tween literature. Please browse our pages to see who we are what we’re all about, and tune in each Wednesday as we add new content. This is our very first post!
In celebration of our launch, we’re giving away signed paperback copies AND ebook copies of books written by Emblazon authors. Click here for details. Thanks for stopping by!
What Characterizes Tween Literature?
Here on Emblazon we love tween literature. That’s the unique subgenre that falls between middle grade and young adult and can lean either way. You know, the one every reader of children’s books can sense but nobody really names or defines. Well, we’ve named it and defined it. We’ve even put an 11-14 age bracket around it. But what goes into a tween novel? What makes this genre so special? To answer that, let’s first look at the kids who read in it.
Middle schoolers, that’s basically who we’re talking about. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, maybe even fifth and ninth. These are the kids transitioning from grade school to high school, all at different rates. Their bodies are changing, their minds are developing, they’re becoming more independent, yet they’re still in need of adult guidance. Here are a few developmental landmarks characteristic to this age group:
- Striving more for peer acceptance than parental approval
- Moving from concrete to abstract thinking
- Losing childish egocentrism; strong desire for fairness, justice
- Understanding morality in shades of gray rather than black and white
- Taking an interest in real world problems and issues
- Changing body, changing emotions, becoming aware of sexuality
So how does this translate into literature? In all sorts of ways. Now is the time to start introducing tweens to tough topics they will face as adults, as Lois Lowry does in The Giver. Yet these topics must still be handled appropriately. Tweens are ready to empathize, to problem solve, to experience real life in a sheltered way.
Tween literature generally contains a positive world view. Kids this age are beginning to think of others. They’re idealistic. They appreciate satisfactory resolutions because that’s how they want the world to work. They have a strong sense of justice and resonate with plots that see justice done. Tween literature almost always celebrates honesty, loyalty, sacrifice, friendship, etc.
Tweens are also looking forward to high school and greater independence, so protagonists tend to be at least age twelve and as old as fifteen or sixteen. Stories are often adventurous, with protagonists acting in peer groups with limited adult interaction, as in Harry Potter. The strongest adult characters tend to be mentors who provide a measure of wisdom. Books may contain some romance, but sexuality is generally toned way down. Portrayals of violence and substance abuse, if addressed at all, are portrayed in a negative light. Language is mild.
Middle schoolers are beginning to comprehend abstract ideas, so their books can be rich with metaphor, hidden meanings, and deep thoughts. An example of this would be the gentle lessons about life and death in Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt. But these guys still appreciate the absurd and can understand a higher degree of humor, which makes Percy Jackson so popular.
All these characteristics make the tween genre so dynamic and rich. Kids this age are discerning and they demand quality writing. As tween authors, we need to deliver it. By understanding what makes tween literature so unique, we’re better able to recognize it, appreciate it, and create it.
Photo of girls courtesy of Jaimie Duplass via Photoxpress. Photo of boy courtesy of Stepanov via Photoxpress.
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When Michelle Isenhoff is not writing imaginary adventures, she’s probably off on one. She loves roller coasters and swimming in big waves. She’s currently training for a triathlon. She likes big dogs, high school football games, old graveyards, and wearing flip-flops all winter. Once an elementary teacher, Michelle now homeschools two of her three kids and looks forward to summer break as much as they do. Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Email
I love this post, Michelle!
Thank you, Lynn. 🙂
This is great. I look forward to future posts!!
Thanks for stopping by James!
Thanks, James. I appreciate it.
Look forward to future posts. Promoted Emblazon today.
Thanks so much Patricia! We appreciate the support!
Hi Pat. 🙂 Thanks!
Perfect description, Michelle! My oldest is entering the tween stage now, so I’m seeing all of this unfold before me.
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer!
Lol, parenting is a fun ride, isn’t it, Jennifer? 🙂
I am very excited by this blog — always looking for books for my 11 year old to read. Thanks!
Awesome news Randi! Thanks for stopping by!
Ah, right in our favorite age range, Randi. 😉
Fantastic summary of what tweens are all about, Michelle! And a perfect post to get us all started here. 🙂
Thanks, Alan. 🙂
Congrats on your new blog — I love the concept! Looking forward to future posts. Off to tweet about you now.
Thanks so much for your support, Andrea. It’s appreciated.
Congrats on your new site. I’ve posted about it and shared info on Twitter, FB, and G+. Hope it all goes well. I’m following you too! 🙂
Oh, sorry one more thing…I wanted to let all of you know about the Best of Summer 2013 Giveaway Hop that we are hosting with Youth Literature Reviews at the end of August. Sign-ups are OPEN now. Last time around we had nearly 100 entries in this Hop so this is a great marketing opportunity for all you indie authors! 🙂
http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/best-of-summer-2013-kid-lit-giveaway-hop-sign-ups-open/
Thank you so much, Renee! I’ll check it out.
We posted this on our group site, Renee, so any Emblazoner who wants to can join. I’ll put it on my personal FB page, too. 🙂
Congratulations on your launch! I look forward to reading future posts.
Thanks for your support, Andrea. 🙂
This a wonderfully descriptive post on tween literature, thanks for sharing Michelle!
High praise, coming from you Ansha! 🙂
This is really exciting. I love that there will be a great resource for Tween books- Thank you.
Thanks, Alison. We hope that’s what we’ll be!
I am really excited about your blog and mission with books. (And thank you for dropping by my blog.)
Thanks for your kind words Erica! We’re excited to be here!
Love meeting those who share our vision, Erica!
I’m so glad I found this site! This is just the kind of thing I’ve been looking for 🙂
That’s what we like to hear! It can be hard to find MG/tween enthusiasts. Hopefully this will pull us together.
Great post. What a challenging time frame, and equally challenging to write for. I look forward to reading more and to following this great blog. You did a super job of outlining the elusive “tween” reader.
Paul R. Hewlett
Hi Paul! I recognize you from Erik’s blog. Love it when people “get” what we’re doing. 🙂
Hi, Michelle,
Found out about the blog today and finally got here. Good post. I was particularly interested in the ‘developmental landmarks’ you listed and have noted that it’s sometimes hard to gauge appropriate subject material for tweens. I look forward to following along and will help spread the word. Good job.
Thanks for checking us out, J.L. Tweens are tough to pinpoint. They all develop at different speeds, and only parents can make some judgement calls. But here we ere on the cleaner side of “appropriate.” 🙂
Reblogged this on Creative Metaphor and commented:
To anyone who loves “Tween” literature (that is, between children’s and YA), or just loves those who push prose, this may be a great new blog for you to watch.
Thanks so much, Creative Metaphor! Woot!
My great pleasure 🙂
Thanks you! I tried to share it but didn’t see how. I really like your color scheme. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Happy Launch Day!
Thank you, YvoneJ. We share a last name…super cool!
Gracias! 🙂
Yay! I’m so happy your site is here!
I am starting a new link-up party this week for all things book and reading related on my blog, Mommynificent. I’d love to have you join us with this post and any others you’d like to share. Hope to see you at Booknificent Thursday this week and every week!
Tina @ Mommynificent
We would love to join you for posts on your blog! Maybe each author could do a feature there or something like that! Let us know what works for you! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us! We’re excited to be here!
Thanks, Tina, for pointing it out for us. 🙂
Happy Launch Day, Emblazon!! I love your site and mission 🙂 Posted on FB and heading towards Twitter to send a #S/O!!
Awesome! Thank you, Kay!
You’re welcome 🙂
Thanks so much, Kay!
Great concept, and interesting to learn more about the tween age group. Not an easy age, but it would be a fun challenge to write for… Wish you well!
Definitely a tough age. Thanks for the well-wishes!
Congratulations on launching the new blog/site! I’m a bookseller (treasure hunter) in San Mateo California, always on the lookout for titles that promote peacemaking, gender equality, and sustainable living so I look forward to catching up every Wednesday to see what’s new. One of our greatest joys is watching a person walk out of our shop clutching a book!
I hear you, Craig! The greatest part of writing them is hearing that someone enjoyed the time spent within their pages. 🙂
What a great post! As a 5th grade teacher- this is an audience I love. 🙂 Fabulous site!
Thanks, Steph! And thanks for posting yesterday. I saw it! 🙂
I’m so glad you’ve defined this age group! (And, duh! Why didn’t I think of that? 😉 ) I’ve been calling my book “Middle Grade” but sometimes thinking it’s a little bit YA, too. Then I gave that up and just called it a “Teen/Tween” novel. But I love the term “Tween Lit” – very cute.
It was time to give that gray area between MG and YA a little color of its own, lol. Thanks, Elle. 🙂
I like how this will be specifically tween lit. Makes it more unique. Love the colors you used for the site! 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words Alicia! 🙂
Thank you, Alicia. Our graphics were designed by our very own Emblazoner, D. Robert Pease. We love them, too!
Congratulations on your new blog! I love hearing about energy directed to kid’s books of all ages!
Cindy
The energy is cracklin’ over here, Cindy. 🙂
Glad I found you!
We are too! Thanks for stopping by Pippa!
You really nailed why I love to write for this age group. Thanks for the great post.
Thanks, C. This is a great age group. I know I’d make more money writing YA, but Tween is my true love.