[Publib] Re: Ratings for Children's Books

[Judy Anderson]

The problems with ratings is deciding what is or is not acceptable. Some 
parents would find any Harry Potter book bad because of the witchcraft. For 
others, the first in the series would probably be rated differently than 
later ones because of the violence, but some parents are just happy the kids 
are reading.

I remember in high school there was always a movie shown to the senior class 
at the end of the year. My senior year, the planned movie was Under the Yum 
Yum Tree, a movie about a couple living together without having sex. That 
was deemed inappropriate because of sexual overtones. So instead they showed 
us St. Valentine's Day Massacre, a very violent movie. That was considered 
okay. Most of walked out at the beginning when a lot of people were machine 
gunned.

What one person considers okay another won't. That is the problem with 
having any group rating things.

As for the ratings on the books, I believe that has to do with reading level 
rather than age appropriateness. I was surprised to see Sweet Valley High 
listed for 12 and up when a lot of the ones I cataloged seemed to be about 
casual sex. I suspect a lot of parents wouldn't want their 12 years olds 
reading something like that.

I think the best choice is for mom (or dad) to pre-read the books. But she 
should let her child know that she is reading them and why she doesn't 
consider them acceptable, if she rejects a book. At some point she will have 
to turn the task over to her child for her own decisions.

One great lesson I had with my daughter involved a display in a bookstore 
for banned books week. The display showed Blubber, which she was reading. 
She was eight and I suggested that while she read the book she think about 
why they would want to ban the book. It resulted in a great discussion.

I think we need to give children tools to critically analyze what they read. 
The adults can make those decisions at first and then ease children into it. 
Perhaps starting with books the parent isn't sure about.

This is not something agencies can do for a parent.

Judy Anderson
Oregon
The perfect gift for the librarian
or library student on your list!
Visible and Vocal Librarian
http://www.cafepress.com/vavlibrarian

_________________________________________________________________
On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to 
get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement