How to Write Books for Children Ages 7-11

Children's books require time and dedication to complete. If you have been considering writing a children's book, which would be of interest to 7-to 11-year-old readers, it is time to review what interests them. Keeping your target audience entertained is not an easy task, but with research into developing plots and the mechanics of building characters, your readers will feel a personal connection to your book.

1. Develop characters who reflect the mindset of the intended audience. The main characters of your book should be between 7 and 11 years of age or slightly older. The characters should have the same struggles a typical child of that age might have, even if those struggles are on planet X. Develop your characters around your findings. Perhaps your book will deal with bullying at school, discovering it is OK to be different, or finding a best friend who you thought was the enemy. Building a solid plot that children can relate to is key.


2. Intrigue children of this age group with magic wands, talking wolves and foreign lands. Consider using the realm of what adults would call "impossible." Kids love being swept away into a land that forces them to use their imaginations. Many beloved books have used this same method with huge success throughout history. Play around with the idea of other planets, a new land where certain objects talk or characters that can dispense magic.


3. Consider using slang words that are popular with this age group. Your readers will feel a closer connection to the characters when the phrasing is something that they would say, too. The mechanics of your characters should feel real, even though they may possess extraordinary powers. Achieve this by listening to how 7- to 11-year-old children speak to one another.