The YA and Middle Grade Fiction Group discussion

I am writing a middle grade fiction story, and it is running short. I decided to add a slight romance subplot which later ties into the plot and demonstrates the sister's love of her disabled brother. The romance part is a crush, and when the girl thinks that he likes her back, They go and get ice cream with the girl's brother, so it's not very romantic. Then, the boy doesn't like her anymore because her brother is weird and she completely leaves him and tells him off. Is that too romantic for a middle grade story?

No, but I wish it were. How old is the protagonist? 13 or 14 like you? That's about right.

Here's what I've observered about crushes:

Crushes are more complicated for guys than girls. When guys think they like-like someone, they start to feel pressure to push it farther than they want, or they start debating inside and convince themselves that they need to do more in the relationship, when they may not be emotionally ready to deliver.

Girls tend to go at a more comfortable pace with their crushes. They like-like a guy, and an ice cream date, a few love notes, that's enough for them. Then they can tell their group of friends that they are "going out."

But a guy's group of friends are all "ooooh, you're going out." and analyze every encounter. Was he supposed to hold her hand? Kiss her? Say something about the smell of her shampoo? (BTW, No, no, and no.) :)

She is about 14. I am thinking about her not knowing that it is a date.

Madeline wrote: "She is about 14. I am thinking about her not knowing that it is a date."
Good idea, but he will probably think it was a date. Although the little brother will help change that notion. :)

You hit it right on the nose :)