[Jay Henderson Posts: 3 Status: Offline Dawning fantasy writer]

It seems much easier to find voice in first person books, but I want to write mine in close third and wanted your opinions.


What are your recommendations for a strong, third person, middle grade voice?

[Vijaya Posts: 7,164 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

Roald Dahl's books, Linda Sue Park's A Single Shard, Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl, several of Katherine Paterson's books all come to mind.
Vijaya

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

Harry Potter.

[KDuBayGillis Posts: 281 Status: Offline]

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo...Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan...The Center of Everything by Linda Urban

[Franzilla Posts: 997 Status: Offline Gah! WWW]

Judy Moody. Love her.

[Vonna Posts: 1,672 Status: Offline]

The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver.

[Flashflood505 Posts: 13 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I'm going through the same thing. It does seem easier to find voice in the first person. I'm stepping back and rewriting a few chapters in third to get the feel and "sound" of it.  Some have said to let the story decide. Not sure what that means, exactly. Except perhaps to see which of the two comes across as more authentic and fresh.

[jayme-allen Posts: 31 Status: Offline Pass me a book & cup of tea; I'll love you forever]

Roald Dahl's books (any of 'em) and Harry Potter are good resources to study how 3rd person, great voice is done.

I used to prefer writing in 1st person POV, until one day I realized I prefer READING 3rd person POV! So why the heck wasn't I writing in 3rd person?! It was my aha! moment. I had an entire MG adventure manuscript written in 1st person, and I rewrote the thing in 3rd person limited. Man, oh man, did that feel better! The writing seemed more natural, I wasn't loathing myself as much, and I started receiving better feedback in critique sessions.

My advice? Make a list of what you like to read. Do you lean toward one type of narrative POV? Keep on reading! And then, write what you like to read!

[jancoates Posts: 131 Status: Offline Obsession? What obsession? WWW]

The Hardpan Trilogy (starting with Newbery winner THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY) by Susan Patron.

[austen Posts: 194 Status: Offline Patience is everything.--Rilke]

A few that I've enjoyed in 3rd:
The Penderwicks
The Mysterious Benedict Society
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

[Lwrites Posts: 159 Status: Offline]

So many great recs here! I'll add the Ivy and Bean books by Annie Barrows. And I second The Penderwicks!

[stella-michel Posts: 223 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I love third person and if you use third person personal it can be every bit as effective as first person.

Stella

[Jay Henderson Posts: 3 Status: Offline Dawning fantasy writer]

Thanks for all the great recommendations everyone! Harry Potter is at the top of my list of course, but there are several I'm not familiar with yet. My TBR pile is growing. 

[RevellWriting Posts: 19 Status: Offline Author of STONEBIRD WWW]

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

[Smish Posts: 6 Status: Offline WWW]

A few of my favorites spring immediately to mind:

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of A Tree, by Lauren Tarshis
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love, by Lauren Tarshis
Wringer, by Jerry Spinelli
Holes, by Louis Sachar

[Shari Posts: 236 Status: Offline WWW]

I just read Anne Ursu's THE REAL BOY & thought the voice was great.

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,002 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

I just mentioned Maniac Magee in another thread. It's my nine year old's favorite book.

[bgaff Posts: 3 Status: Offline]

Jeanne DuPrau's THE CITY OF EMBER has a wonderful and unusual 3P voice that gets right into the mind of the MC.

[Jody Feldman Posts: 132 Status: Offline WWW]

Clementine.

[eecoburn Posts: 202 Status: Offline]

I agree that Clementine has an AWESOME voice, but I think Jay is looking for 3rd person, not 1st. The Clementine series is a family favorite!

I think Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book has a really interesting voice -- a very wild mix of creepy, suspenseful, funny and warm.

Elizabeth

[Natalie Posts: 743 Status: Offline Flying the Dragon, Charlesbridge 2012 WWW]

COUNTING BY 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a great example. It alternates point of view between several characters. The main character is told in first person, but 5 other characters are told in 3rd person close. Excellent book.

[Jennifer D G Posts: 669 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

DOLL BONES by Holly Black is third person.

[Liz Posts: 1,122 Status: Offline]

Patricia Reilly Giff 's books  -- such as ELEVEN