Do you remember The Big Friendly Giant? Or how about A Wrinkle in Time? Most of us remember those late nights under the covers with our flashlights when we first really discovered books; when we no longer needed our parents to read our bedtime stories; when we were reading middle grade fiction. Middle grade fiction is for readers who are approximately 9-12 years old and for many, it is their first introduction to complex themes and developed characters in literature. In this class we will read middle grade fiction and analyze the importance of this genre and discuss its major components. Students will then write and analyze short fiction. This class will give students interested in literature and creative writing a unique introduction to both.