Harry Potter doesn’t do it for my nine-year old son.¬† While he did not start out as a reluctant reader, I’m beginning to think he’s headed in that direction.¬† Only a year ago, he would hop off the school bus with a chapter book in hand, touting that he’d read halfway through it during the ride.¬† Boy, it made me proud.¬† My son, the literary whiz.¬†

Things have changed.

I’m beginning to realize it’s not so much that my son has changed, but rather the books.¬† He likes to complete an entire novel within an hour… Maybe two.¬† Any book that requires focused reading for more than that is “boring.”¬† Of course, now that he’s entered grade four, the books in his age group (officially middle-grade fare) are longer and harder.¬† Now, when he walks in the door reading¬†The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, I’m not impressed.¬† “You’ve got to move on,” I beg him.

Every once in a while I manage to bring home a book that he can’t put down.¬† Of course, Diary of a Wimpy Kid¬†was an instant classic in our house¬†(he introduced that one to me.)¬† The formula?¬†

1. Can be read within an hour and a half,
2. Is very witty, and
3. Has cartoon drawings. 

There is another, lesser known, series out there that I stumbled upon while researching for my own book’s market.¬† Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius is the first in a series of three books written by Frank Asch.¬† They follow a formula similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid (the names sound kinda’ similar, too – don’t ya’ think?)¬†

My nine-year-old read them back to back in one weekend.¬† Now he’s¬†returned to perusing the Guinness Book of World Records and re-reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid.¬† I’m¬†looking for another book with that perfect formula.

My middle grade novel has officially been rejected by every New York literary agent that I’ve submitted to.¬† I am awaiting responses from several Canadian publishers, however, and perhaps one of them will recognize the “brilliance” of my writing.¬† Or, at least think that they can mould into something brilliant with enough editing.¬†

The longer I pursue my writing aspirations, the more I realize¬†just how perilous this path is.¬† I know, what could be hazardous about sitting in front a laptop and punching out word after word after word after word?¬† It’s the mental injuries, I’m talking about.¬†¬†The rejection¬†and forced optimism that must follow can be quite taxing.¬† Many nights I go to bed thinking: why am I still writing?¬† But, inevitably, I’ll wake up at 5:30 (that’s when my alarm goes off), force myself out of bed (within an hour of that buzz), and turn on my computer.¬† Then get to the task of writing my latest project.¬†

For me, one of the best things about writing in the morning is that it’s too damn early to consider why the heck I’m up at the crack of dawn to write a short story about a dejected woman who married a convicted killer.¬† Will anyone ever read this?¬† I mean, other than members of my writing group or the judge for the latest short story contest.¬† But I can’t help but think that if I keep writing and sending my stuff out, something’s going to finally stick.

And this brings me back to my children’s novel.¬† I am about to embark on another slew of queries to publishers and perhaps a few more agents – all American.¬† A writing colleague of mine has suggested that perhaps I should consider changing the title of my book.¬† I’ve given it some thought and have decided she’s onto something.¬† Here is a brief summary of my book for kids 6 to 10 years old:

When a button on Danny’s screen magically invites him to enter into his computer, he goes for it!¬† Drawn into a wild world where things are not as they appear, he explores freely – something he’s never been allowed to do online, thanks to the restrictions of his paranoid mom. He meets kind Jingo, who cautions him to beware of the tricks of this world and spunky Desmond, who dazzles ten-year-old Danny with his thrill-seeking ways.¬† Danny soon learns, however, that his freewheeling has led him into danger and the tough choices he must make will ultimately determine if he can ever return home.

Now – the three potential titles are:

1. Danny in a Newfangled World

2. Danny the Daring Computer Intruder

3. The (mostly) True Tale of a Video Game Genius

Any thoughts?  My youngest two kids prefer #2, while my oldest son likes #3.  Which title would most likely pique the interest of a boy between the ages of 6 and 9 years old?