The term “middle grade” is often used as a genre term; however, the term refers to the age range for which an author targets their novel’s content. The target readers in this market are anywhere between seven and 12, depending on the novel’s goals and themes. The character’s ages also usually fall within that range, and their conflicts are often external conflicts that remain relevant to the target audience. While dynamic and round characterizations can apply to middle grade characters, they tend to do little introspection and do not critically analyze their surroundings or the more profound thoughts behind their actions—their growth comes from outside factors. Middle grade stories tend to be didactic in nature, usually expressing a life lesson such as moral or character-based development, situational or circumstantial life knowledge, or problem-solving skills.

Middle grade fantasy takes the themes and goals of middle grade life and places the story in a fantastical setting. In middle grade fantasy novels, the protagonists adventure into an unknown magical world to resolve an external conflict. Along the way, they fulfill many elements of Joseph Campbell’s “hero’s journey,” reflecting and exemplifying elements of personal character growth that the author hopes to pass along to the reader.