What Makes the Best Middle Grade Books? A Great Quest, Every Time

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from writing adventure stories for middle grade readers, it’s at this age, kids absolutely love a good quest.

Whether we find ancient maps, missing artefacts, secret portals or dark forces rising, kids like to see ordinary children like them thrown into extraordinary situations and then rise to a challenge.

Quests are a powerful draw for them because they’re all about characters who find their inner courage, figure out who they are, and discover that bravery doesn’t mean being fearless. It means facing adversity and going forward anyway.

In The Viking’s Apprentice, my hero Peter is finishing primary school. He’s sporty and smart, but he’s an ordinary boy. And when he and best friend George arrive in Campbell’s Cove for the summer, they discover the world is far more dangerous than they imagined — and they need to step up. 

That’s where The Viking’s Apprentice quest begins…and kids love it.

What makes the quest format so appealing to kids?

Stories about quests are something kids this age understand really well, because in middle-grade, they’re facing their own transitions. School’s changing, friendships are shifting, and the world is starting to  feel bigger— and more uncertain. 

A good quest is just like that. You leave what’s familiar. You face unexpected obstacles. You learn who you are. Kids can identify. It’s exactly what happens to Peter in The Viking’s Apprentice.

He doesn’t set out to be a hero, he’s just a good kid with a moral compass. 

When evil reappears in Campbell’s Cove after hundreds of years, Peter hasn’t got special powers to help him, all he’s got is new responsibility, and he grows in confidence through courage, clever thinking, and loyalty to his friends.

Middle grade kids are building their own confidence, and I think that’s a major reason why they love stories like this. It helps them to see that the best and bravest heroes aren’t the strongest, they’re just the ones who keep going, even when they’re scared.

When you sit down to write a great quest story, it’s exciting because you’re inviting children to imagine themselves as the hero of your story — and their own. 

Inside the world of The Viking’s Apprentice

One of things I enjoyed most about writing my series was the ‘worldbuilding’. What do I mean by this? Well, I had to imagine a world where an epic story could take place. Campbell’s Cove is as familiar as any other sleepy coastal village, but I gave it a unique community and an oral history of magic, monsters, and old, unfinished battles. 

I gave Peter’s granddad an old house full of artefacts, statues, books, strange paintings, and tapestries depicting fierce dragons, talking bears, brave knights, fearsome Vikings and fantastical griffins. I even provided a longship in a secret harbour in the basement! 

Peter’s antique-collecting grandad is a once-immortal Viking who gave up his power for love. But when the evil he once defeated returns, everything must return to life to fight the monsters who are creeping through caves near the village.

As for my monsters…they were so much fun to imagine. The Master is a powerful witch with two sinister sisters, dark goblins, trolls and creatures called Shadowwalkers at her side.

There’s even a Shadow King and who knows what my terrifying creation Toldruck really is — I’ve left that up to kids to decide.

If you think your child’s ready for something that feels bigger than real life, but the themes of this kind of story are still close enough for them to imagine, then I’ve written my series for them.

Why these books work for parents too

Middle-grade kids need stories that pull them in quickly, that unfold in their head like a movie. There need to be stakes, surprises, and characters they want to follow. Let’s face it - as authors, we’re competing with fast-moving action on screens! 

In The Viking’s Apprentice, every event, every plot twist, forces Peter and George to grow. They make choices. They face consequences. They learn to think on their feet and lean on each other when things go wrong. It’s not always easy, but that’s the point I try to make.

To my delight, my books have been used in classrooms across the world.

I’ve worked to make them accessible, exciting, and on a level with this age group. For any kids who’ve struggled to get into reading, I’m told the pace and plot give them a reason to keep going.

They’re also a great fit for reading aloud. My own Welsh gran was an amazing storyteller, and the reason for my own lasting love of stories. Parents have told me they love reading The Viking’s Apprentice with their kids, and it’s fun to share a chapter at bedtime or take turns with all the voices.

Bonus features: Audiobooks, activities, and a heroic dog

Kids learn and engage in lots of different ways, and so The Viking’s Apprentice audiobooks are available on Audible — narrated brilliantly by Danielle Cohen. For reluctant readers, or kids who like to listen while drawing, travelling, or winding down for bed, it’s a great way to join the adventure. 

And then there’s Jake, Peter’s Jack Russell sidekick! Middle-grade kids still love animals in stories and, of course, Jake’s plucky, loyal, and constantly getting himself (and the boys) in and out of trouble.I hope you can tell how much I love dogs — if your child’s a dog lover too, Jake’s character was created with them in mind. 

For teachers and parents who want extra resources for this age group, I’ve got downloadable activities on my website. Visit me there and find colouring pages, word searches and puzzles for classroom tie-ins or just fun at home. 

Ready to join the adventure? Your quest starts here…

If your child loves a story that’s packed with magic, friendship, danger, and plenty of courage and heart, why not give The Viking’s Apprentice a try? Let me know what you think! 

Whatever kind of reader your child is, I hope they’ll love getting behind Peter and George on their quest. 

Download The Viking’s Apprentice Book 1 for FREE and find activities to accompany young readers on their adventures at kevinmcleodauthor.com.