Krysten Lindsay Hager Inspires MG Readers with Authentic Characters and Wholesome Tales

The world of Krysten Lindsay Hager is a relatable one in which characters navigate the ups and downs of preteen life with heart, and authenticity. With a deep appreciation for the formative years between childhood and adolescence, Hager crafts stories that resonate with young readers, encouraging them to embrace their uniqueness and find strength in their individuality. By drawing inspiration from beloved middle grade classics and her own experiences, she fills her tales with adventure, humor, and valuable life lessons.

Could you share a little about yourself and your current middle grade novel?

I write about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, frenemies, crushes, and values. I received my BA in English and a master's degree in liberal studies from the University of Michigan-Flint.

My current middle grade novel is called Landry in Like about an eighth-grade girl navigating the world of middle school, worrying about high school, and dealing with friends, frenemies, and staying true to herself. It’s the third book in the Landry’s True Colors Series about Landry Albright. I was always worried about high school looming in the distance, so in the series that is something Landry talks about as well. All three books in the series have received Reader’s Favorite awards and Landry in Like won a Literary Classics gold medal as well.

What inspired you to start writing middle grade fiction?

I love reading that genre and those preteen/tween years of being not quite a kid and not quite a teen are very formative. I can remember so many of the books I read at that age and how they shaped me into the person I am today. I always knew I would write for preteens and teens.

How do you approach crafting characters that resonate with middle grade readers?

You have to be authentic when writing for preteens because they can sense when you’re not. I try to write characters that are relatable and trying to find their way in the world.

Do you have a favorite middle grade book?

So many! The Great Mom Swap by Betsy Haynes was my favorite growing up. Also, Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy Blume.

Can you describe your typical writing day?

I write in notebooks a lot as well as on my computer. I recently dictated a good part of my novel, Stars in the City, but I found there were a lot of missing commas when it came to editing it. I start off my day looking at the overwhelming amount of emails I have and then go over what I wrote last to get back into the world of the book I’m writing.

What do you hope young readers will take away from your books?

One thing I really hope readers take away from my books is that what makes you different is what makes you special. We spend so much of our lives trying to fit in that we dismiss the things that make us stand out when those are the very things that make us unique.

Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring middle grade authors?

Read the genre extensively. I also watch a lot of the shows readers that age watch and look at some of the magazines, but you do have to be careful with that as they don’t depict the actual way the readers talk in real life. It just gives you an idea of what interests them. Reading the books is the way to go.

How do you incorporate humor and adventure into your middle grade stories?

I have always incorporated humor into my writing because it’s very much a part of my voice. I think the books come about in an organic way. The characters drive the plot and the action unfolds naturally.

What upcoming project can readers look forward to from you?

I just released a book this week called, Stars in the City. This one is young adult, but I write what the industry calls, “clean and wholesome,” so I have a lot of preteens reading my young adult books. I always write with my preteen audience in mind seeing as I know the parents and guardians of my middle grade readers buy those books as well.

Is there anything else you’d like to share that I haven’t covered in the interview?

I grew up reading so many middle grade series books that it’s an honor to have my own Landry’s True Colors Series.