Hey so is this a safe place to drop some of the middle grade fantasy that I wrote?
Now that I have your attention, I think the age group 9-13 are generally underserved in books, comics, tv, and film that is meant for and created toward their developmental level. There are tons of baby and toddler shows, constantly being made. There is constantly media made for and meant for adults. and lately there has been a resurgence of media meant for older adults, carving out a more specific piece of media for themselves and that's awesome! But children and teens don't have that power. When children don't have things that are meant for and are appropriate for them they are forced to watch things that are too experienced for them. They are exposed to things too quickly and improperly and it absolutley influences the way that they start to think about their bodies, and sex and language and behavior. We are irrefutably influenced by the media we consume especially in vulnerable formative moments of our lives. (One of many sources)
So anyway here is my age appropriate fiction book for young girls aged 9-13 or so obviously I truly believe we should all be reading children's media all the time, but my whole life is kids soooo skewed view.
Atop a pink hill there was a purple castle, and in that castle lived beautiful Princess Persephone. Persephone was the eldest daughter of King Windsor. They reside above their kingdom in the land of Valinor, the princess had risen with the sun for as long as she could remember. She enjoyed watching the kingdom glow as the sun bathed it in her rich colors, golden, like it was kissed by magic itself.
Persephone had long golden hair, it fell down her back in curly tresses as she rose from her four poster bed, draped with purple and red velvet, she pulled on a matching satin robe. The sun was just barely peaking out over the lowest hill as she made her way to the window. Persephone leaned her head against the stone that arched around her window, her heart warmed at the sight of the kingdom that laid below her.
As the sun started to flood the villages with warmth the princess thought about sneaking away to the lower kingdom today. She often snuck out of the castle to visit the people who needed her the most. There was nothing she could do for them where the stone walls kept her safe. Safe, and obedient. Sure she sat in on high council meetings, and she had her lessons everyday, but she still felt a longing to help the people furthest away from the wealth and protection of the castle.
Persephone lost herself in thought and before she knew it the sun was above her, now beaming down on her as she stood in the window. She tilts her head towards its warmth and slow smile sprawls across her face. “Hello friend” her voice carries upward and her words seem to jostle the sun awake, the burning ball above shook for a moment and with a face only Persephone could see, smiles upon the princess.
It was said that when the princess was born she brought joy to anyone that gazed upon her smile. Word spread of the warmth and comfort one felt when you were near her so citizens traveled from all over, offering gifts for the princess in exchange for a chance to look upon her face.
A witch woman from the lower village traveled far to see the princess, she brought the gift of the sun, harnessed it for the princess and bound her to it's warmth forever.
It was soon realized that the princess demonstrated great power, her abilities are only spoken about in gossip and rumours, but most believe that she has the ability to cast fire from her hand, fly anywhere the sun shines and that somehow the witch imbued her with a knack for healing as well.
Okay, that should catch you up…
The princess turns from her friend to dress herself, she never liked her lady’s maids first thing in the morning, she liked to spend the mornings on her own. Just her and the sun, the first glimpse of the sun was her most peaceful time of day.
Persephone finishes dressing and ties up her hair with a red ribbon to keep it out of her face. As she laces her boots there is a knock at her door, “Yes, Henry I know! I’m coming!” Persephone shouts at her tutor who only comes to get her when she’s running extremely late. Guess she stayed at the window longer than she thought.
Persephone opens the door and follows an irritated Henry out into the hall as she looses herself in thoughts again. Her chest warmed as they descended the long, winding, stone staircase. The warmth stretched throught her arms and neck. She’s been feeling warmer all over lately, like her connection with the sun is getting stronger. This warmth seems to be coming from inside her like the sun was trying to tell her something, she has a nagging, itchy feeling in the back of her brain. Persephone reaches back to itch the back of her head and -
-Persephone blinks twice and shakes her head realizing that now she’s sitting at the table in the library, scrolls scattered around her as Henry walks back and forth talking about…something. How did she get here? Is her day dreaming really consuming that much of her mind?
“Which would you choose?” Persephone locks into Henry’s voice in time to hear the question but not the answer that surely preceded it. She shakes her head again, “Persephone? Are you listening? Princess?”
