Lola asked Paula Berinstein:

What's the thing you like most about writing Middle Grade books? And why did you decide to write mystery books? What is it about this genre you like?

Paula Berinstein Hi, Lola,

Thanks so much for your great questions!

The best thing about writing middle grade books is the opportunity to combine imagination, humor, and fun. Tweens and young teens will happily suspend their disbelief and embrace exaggeration and silliness in ways that many adults can't or won't. They also appreciate complexity in ways that younger kids aren't yet able to do. They really are the perfect readers--so open and creative.

I write mystery because that's mostly what I read, and I read mystery because I love trying to figure things out. Mysteries are propelled forward by the search for the truth, with each step leading naturally to the next. It's pretty hard to get bored when you're on a quest. Plus I love the variety of detectives that populate mysteries: the amateur sleuths, the professional probers, the noble truth-seekers, the damaged personalities whose twisted pasts (and presents) inform everything they do. And by the way, lots of stories that don't call themselves mysteries actually are, such as the Harry Potter stories.

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