Why Are Animal Books Avoiding the Current Middle Grade Slump? with Author PJ Gardner
And where to submit your kid lit manuscript without an agent.
From the Writing Desk:
Hello March! Hello friends! How are y’all?
I’m writing this with my balcony door open and listening to the birds going crazy. The days here in Florida where an open balcony door is a viable option are quickly dissappearing, so I’m soaking it in while I can.
This last month—even this last year, really—has been one of form experimentation for me. I’m talking about different kinds of writing all-together. For example, the last couple years I’ve been taking lots of online illustration classes in preparation for my own Bad Guys/Wimpy Kid-type chapter book, which I talked about in a previous newsletter and is now officially on submission. Still keeping all my fingers and toes crossed with that one!
I’ve also been teaching myself Final Draft, the “official” software for screenwriters, and have finally started the screenplay I’ve been talking about to my friends and writing partners for years. There’s even been some playing around with goofy songwriting (if you follow me on TikTok or Insta you’ve seen some of those silly ditties). I don’t ever plan or expect to actually be good at things like art and songwriting, but see them as some fun ways to expand my writerly repertoire and options.
Then last month, I finally dove in on something I’ve been wanting to play around with for a long time—game writing. I’ve been playing around on Twinery trying to figure out how to create text-based, choose-your-own adventure style games. It’s a somewhat steep learning curve, but it’s a blast already, and I’m hoping my days of minimal HTML and CSS coding of my Neopets Shop will come in handy here.
I’ve never been someone who looked seriously self-publishing, even though I absolutely see the value and amazing possibilities there. It’s simply that the process comes with so many moving parts that managing it feels overwhelming and I’m happy to turn it over to the professionals. But game writing? This feels a bit like my version of self-publishing. Once I can figure out Twinery, I’m excited to experiment with publishing on itch.io and see what the options are in the text game world.
Oh the many ways we can write in 2024!
What are some of the writing-adjascent things you’ve been doing? How has that been for you?
And now…Marching on! (ehehe)
Why Are Animal Books Avoiding the Current Middle Grade Slump? with Author PJ Gardner
Animal books have always been some of my very favorite, ever since I carried around my copy of Socks for like a whole year as a kid. I was also obsessed with Animal Planet and The Wild Thornberries. Today I’m super, super stoked to have PJ Gardner here with us, kid lit author and animal POV expert! PJ lives in Southern California with her husband, three sons, and her Boston Terriers, Rosie and Rocky. She’s the author of the incredible and absolutely delightful Horace and Bunwinkle series and has a new book coming out on July 23rd—The Great Zoodini. I mean, just look at that fennec fox on the cover. Are you kidding me???
So honored and excited to have PJ here to talk about animal POV in middle grade and where it’s sitting in the current market. Welcome PJ!
1. There’s been a lot written on the current slump in the middle grade market lately. However, this School Library Journal article pointed out that animal POV books are an exception, and actually growing. (Just check out Katherine Applegates rock solid spot on the best-sellers list, and even the latest Newbery winner.) So why do you think this is? Why are animal books succeeding in middle grade while everything else seems to be lagging?
I think there’s a common perception from adults (parents and teachers/librarians alike) that animal POV books aren’t controversial. This idea lingers despite the fact that many animal led stories deal with serious topics like war (Pax by Sara Pennypacker), environmental issues (A Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Perry), and even abuse (The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate).
For kids I think these books are appealing because of their natural fascination with animals and the natural world. Don’t believe me? Ask any ten-year-old who would win in a battle between an orangutan and shark, then sit back and prepare to get dissertation level details about both animals and countless others you didn’t ask about.
And this might sound weird, but I think kids feel a kinship with animals. On some level they recognize that they’re both at the mercy of adult human beings, that much of their lives is controlled by someone else.
There’s also the delightful fact that a lot of animal POV stories are humorous. Kids love to laugh and they need to so they seek out books that offer them a chance to have fun.
2. What can animal POV stories do that other types of stories can’t?
For starters, I think it’s easier to read about hard or uncomfortable situations when they’re happening to an animal. There’s an emotional distance that allow kids to experience something and think about it without traumatizing them.
And honestly, there’s a certain magic to animal POV that even Fantasy stories don’t have. I think because animals are real and all around and maybe they really do sneak out of the house and solve mysteries or escape from a zoo in order to become world famous.
3. Any craft tips for those thinking about or currently working on their own animal book (she asks with entirely selfless motivations of course…)
Do lots of research. (This is probably my favorite part of the process.)
Be responsible in the information you share. (Like adding an author’s note telling people that there’s no such thing as teacup pigs and if you buy a potbelly pig you can expect it to get up to 600 lbs.)
Include at least one character with some kind of thumb. (You have no idea how much you’ll miss them until you try to get your characters out of a locked room.)
Thank you so much PJ for your expertise! Find out more on her website and don’t forget to preorder The Great Zoodini!!
What I’m Reading: I have an excellent animal POV recommendation for you this month. Dogtown, co-authored by Katherine Applegate, one of the well-established queens of animal middle grade, and the equally talented and wonderful Gennifer Choldenko. Wallace West’s illustrations were delightful, and the whole book is full of the warmth and humor and heart that you want in a dog book. Definitely worth the read.
And I’ve got a bonus rec for you this month too, because I’m so delighted by a series I just discovered—The Terribles by Travis Nichols. I haven’t read a book that made me smile so much in a long time, (there’s a mask-wearing, song-writing phantom named Erik, for starters) and if we expand animal POV to include creatures, this works too. This is quickly becoming a touchstone and mentor text for me.
What I’m Watching: I’ve been on a rewatch kick lately, jumping back and forth between some old favorites. One is Monk. Honestly, such a comforting show for me and I’m not even sure why. Maybe it’s the quirky, underestimated, neuroatypical character getting to be the hero? Mabe it’s just that Tony Shalhoub is a gosh dang delight?
Promoting Kids Books: Jarrett J. Krosoczka is not only an incredible writer and artist, but a great video editor too. Honestly one of my favorite kid lit author vloggers out there atm. Like jeez Jarrett, leave some talent for the rest of us.
What I’m Drawing: I’m trying really hard you guys.
"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans."
- James Herriot
Writing Opportunity: Interested in the direct-submission, small press route? There is a lot to be said for that option. And there are some wonderful, reputable publishers that accept direct submissions from writers, no agent required. If you’ve got a children’s or YA manuscript you think is ready, check ‘em out.
Teacher or Librarian? I would love to do a free virtual Q&A with your class or book group! If you’re interested in scheduling a visit you can reach out to me via my website. Let me know how I can support you! I’ve also got free classroom resources to accompany each book. You guys are rock stars!
Thanks for coming along everyone! The Smorgasbord is a hand-kneaded, hand-shucked, reader supported publication. You can support by buying a delicious book or by becoming a paid subscriber. It seriously means the world, you shining star you.
-Sarah
Great interview! I’m listening to The Eyes & the Impossible right now and it’s such a delight.