Many stories have a problem in the middle: something goes wrong for the characters. Then, near the end, they find a fix, called the solution.
Key idea
Many stories have a problem in the middle and a fix at the end.
Why it works
A problem makes the reader wonder, “What will they do?” That wondering keeps them reading. If the problem is fixed right away, there is nothing to wonder about.
Worked example: Find the problem and the fix
“Nora and her mom baked a cake. There was no sugar left. Their neighbor lent them a cup. Grandpa loved the cake.”
- What goes wrong? There was no sugar left. That is the problem.
- What do they do about it? The neighbor lends them sugar. That is the fix.
Answer: Problem: no sugar. Fix: the neighbor lends a cup.
Common mistake
Solving the problem right away, so the story has no middle. Let the characters try something, or wait a little, before the fix comes.
For the grown-up. Ask about favorite books: “What was the problem? How did they fix it?” Then help your child plan a story by choosing a problem first.