SCBWI's Blueboard - A Message & Chat Board
Writer's Room => Chapter Books, Easy Readers, and Middle Grade (MG) => Topic started by: Scott Rodrigues on September 07, 2021, 03:09 PM
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Hi Everyone!
I've been reading through CB's and I'm starting to pick up the cadence. I'm curious if it's frowned upon or not advised to have the series main character be say, a thief, but one who uses his abilities to help others while the act gets them in constant trouble?
I have a character like this who I've tried to write in other genres and age groups and every time I fiddle with writing it as a CB it just suddenly fits and builds into itself. My concern is how appropriate is that for this age group?
I know Robin Hood is the 'trope codifier' in this case, but I've been looking for CB main characters who are like this, and I have yet to find one. Any advice on any of this?
Thanks so much!
Scott Rodrigues
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:welcome Scott. I don't see too many anti-heroes in children's literature but those I've seen redeem themselves by the end. John Jory's Bad Seed comes to mind. Your character sounds quite adorable actually (as someone who had a bit of a thieving impulse). Good luck with it.
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Hi Scott,
I'm with V. I don't know of characters like this, and I'm not sure how easy a haul it would be to get one through. But having said that, what if your MC could *seem* to be stealing, but in the end is actually helping? Especially if she had a nemesis, an older sibling or a non-likeable adult, who tries to catch her in the act, but ends up failing each time (because the MC isn't actually stealing)? Amelia Bedelia is a character who constantly goofs up, but not because she's malicious, but because she just doesn't get it.
Good luck!
Jody
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A couple of examples. One is the Zachary Ruthless series (https://www.amazon.com/Rotten-Adventures-Zachary-Ruthless/dp/0062005871/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=rotten+adventures+of+zachary+ruthless&qid=1631119231&sr=8-1) but a more popular choice is the Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey (https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Guys/dp/0545912407/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+bad+guys&qid=1631119297&sr=8-2).
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Scott, I think this could work. Kids love naughty! If it were me I'd write it, and if beta readers advise you to age it up that's always an option. Besides, editors are always looking for something new.
:goodluck
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I am with what others have said--you should write this. I don't think you'll get many objections to a thief "who uses his abilities to help others."
Not sure if this fits what you are looking for, but maybe "The Infamous Ratsos"?
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Horrible Harry is a bit of a rogue and there's a British series with a similar name Horrid Henry, I think.
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I am with what others have said--you should write this. I don't think you'll get many objections to a thief "who uses his abilities to help others."
Not sure if this fits what you are looking for, but maybe "The Infamous Ratsos"?
Ooh, great suggestion, Harold! Love that series.
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Thank you everyone for your responses. I feel welcome here :)
I've already started writing and I'm being mindful of the word count and my word choices.
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Good luck.
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I'm late to this, but I LOVE this concept. And that is all I have to contribute to this discussion. ;D