Monday, August 06, 2007

Making the grade

Today at our weekly marketing meeting, I mentioned that a former co-worker was scheduled for an autograph party this fall. There was some oohing and aaahing from my co-workers, most of whom were not aware that she's an author and wanted to know what she'd written. "It's a children's book, " I said. "It's middle-grade fiction." Jen, my boss, turned to Mr. Steve, who works in the children's department.

Jen: So what's the difference between junior fiction and middle-grade fiction?

Mr. Steve: Junior fiction is, like, first, second and third grade reading. Middle-grade fiction is fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh...

Jen: Then what's young adult?

Mr. Steve: Pornography.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Steve is so very funny.

His distinction is not exactly orthodox, though. Most folks consider middle grade to be for 8-12 and YA for over that, although there is often some distinction between young YA and older YA. The first, second, and third grade books are usually called early chapter or just chapter books.

That said, I'm happy to hear about the ooohing!

the former co-worker