[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Anyone have knowledge about whether or not present tense is acceptable for middle grade?I'm writing upper middle grade historical fiction. Is that acceptable in the marketplace? Thanks.

[mrh Posts: 4,759 Status: Offline www.marciahoehne.com WWW]

Yes, present tense is used in middle grade. You can find some examples in your reading. I can't name any off hand, because it has become so well used that I often don't notice it anymore.

[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks, Anne!

[David Wright Posts: 1,018 Status: Offline Tell me that again.]

The first one that came to mind for me was 1st person, present: The Someday Suitcase

[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks, David.

[ButterflyGirl Posts: 545 Status: Offline @kidlitSarah sarahfloydbooks.com]

I am in the middle of a contract negotiation for an upper middle grade novel that is written in first person, present tense.

A few novels worth studying are Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793, told in first person, past tense. It's YA, historical, with an incredibly immediate "feel" despite not being in present tense. Another is Beth Vrabel's Bringing Me Back, also first person, past tense. For a first person, present tense MG, you might want to look through The Swap by Meghan Shull.

Best wishes!
 

[carol-baldwin Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Oh, that sounds exciting! Mine is also upper middle grade--but I didn't think we could label our books with that category! I want to hear more about your book!