Hi, I'm currently writing a literary fiction novel following a group of character through ten years of their lives. For a good third of the novel, our main characters are ten to twelve years old. The narrative is told in past tense, very much our protagonists recounting the events of their childhood.
I'm looking for inspiration on how to write realistic child or young teen characters around that age range. How would they view trauma, death, family challenges, realizations about their identify, through their young lens, and how do I depict this and make it feel real and true.
Are there any books that have done this well? One good example would be The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, with almost half of the novel following the main character as a young teen, told through the POV of him as an adult.
Thanks!
by stressedandfingtired