Top 10 Moments From Our #MGINSPIRES Twitter Chat
Last Tuesday, we hosted a twitter chat about the importance of Middle Grade fiction! With lots of wisdom from established Middle Grade authors, we discussed everything from the influence MG fiction has on middle graders, to which life skills it emulates, and how MG fiction invokes critical thinking. There were many highlights, but for those of you who missed out on the action, here is a ranking of our favorite moments, complete with some of the most important things these brilliant MG authors taught all of us:
10. Our announcement JPEG was adopted by School Library Journal:
ANNOUNCING the #MGINSPIRES Middle Grade Twitter Chat we're moderating on 8/18, with some of your favorite MG authors. pic.twitter.com/T5gT2lEwgb
— Mighty Media Press (@MightyPress) August 3, 2015
Press Release Fun: Middle Grade Twitter Chat! | A @FuseEight Production http://t.co/qX9Mzga0BT #mginspires @MightyPress
— SchoolLibraryJournal (@sljournal) August 5, 2015
Thanks, SLJ for not only helping us to spread the word, but for supporting Middle Grade fiction!
9. When Soman Chainani (The School of Good and Evil series) talked about using his writing to help middle graders explore the complexities of the world:
A1: In general, I try to write stories that break down limiting fictional tropes and narratives #MGInspires @MightyPress
— Soman Chainani (@SomanChainani) August 18, 2015
Why see everything as black and white, when people and the world they live in are so complicated?!
8. Paul Durham (The Luck Uglies) values a healthy dose of rebellion:
A1: I hope my books inspire readers to look past the surface, question what they're told, and stay up past their bedtimes. #MGInspires
— Paul Durham (@pauldurhambooks) August 18, 2015
After all, independant thought and critical thinking are values WE ALL need! They're not just for Middle Graders.
7. When Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey series) talked about self-discovery in her own genious way:
Its an age of questions and change, where they are just starting to discover who they are. Seeing themselves in books can help. #mginspires
— Julie Kagawa (@Jkagawa) August 18, 2015
We can all agree that her books sure show kids how to start that journey.
6. Books are secrets!
@empetti @SomanChainani @MightyPress I loved best the feeling that I was getting away with something - books as secrets #mginspires
— Cam and Benny (@CamandBenny) August 18, 2015
Stories have secrets to tell, so middle graders should lend an ear.
5. When Ellen Prager (Tristan Hunt and The Sea Guardians series) reminded us that humor is at the center of all the fun:
A2: And don't forget the humor. One of my favorite parts of writing for middle grade. #MGInspires @MightyPress
— Ellen Prager (@elprager) August 18, 2015
Always remember to laugh!
4. Authority figures are people too...
Sometimes, book heroes show us that authority figures can be wrong, and that you can and should stand up for what is right. #mginspires
— Julie Kagawa (@Jkagawa) August 18, 2015
Blindly following is dangerous! Middle graders beware! Key advice for people of all ages.
3. When Disney Hyperion professed their love for #MGINSPIRES:
Loving the #MGINSPIRES conversation happening right now, incl. #booksofore series authors @CamandBenny! https://t.co/dKWmg3en0D
— Disney Hyperion (@DisneyHyperion) August 18, 2015
2. #WeNeedDiverseBooks!
A4: DIVERSITY. In voices, in characters, in settings, in everything. It makes the book world, and the real world so much better #mginspires
— Erin Petti (@empetti) August 18, 2015
Erin Petti nailed it.
1. When Cam and Benny hit YA where it hurts:
Read MG, YA smells like copious amounts of Abercrombie & Fitch perfume #mginspires
— Cam and Benny (@CamandBenny) August 18, 2015
Couldn't have said it better ourselves!
In Conclusion...
All these brilliant authors sharing their wisdom with us and the world has us feeling exactly like this little rabbit:
If this recap wasn’t enough for you, you can always search #MGINSPIRES and peruse the twitter chat in its entirety! We also encourage everyone to add to this hashtag anytime — just because our official twitter chat is over, doesn’t mean the conversation surrounding the importance of middle grade should end!
We think Middle Grade Fiction is the perfect genre for any reader, no matter your age. If you need book suggestions, just look closely at our twitter chat ... there are plenty of great titles mentioned throughout.
Add new comment