One of the most common questions I get from parents of voracious, high-level readers is “How can I make sure what they’re reading is appropriate?” It’s a tricky question. We all have different levels of comfort with what our children read, different definitions of what is “appropriate.” And while some of us would like to be able to screen everything first, that often isn’t possible.
Stetson University’s Christopher J. Ferguson ran a small study showing that reading banned books “is associated with both increased civic behavior and little risk of antisocial behavior.” Click here for the full study. In other words, there don’t seem to be consequences for children reading questionable material. Children often “self-censor” what they read, and will ask questions to understand better. That being said, you know your child best, and you know what they will understand and enjoy! So, how can you stay one step ahead of your prodigious reader?
One of my favorite websites is Common Sense Media. Their goal is to review media – books, movies, games, apps, and even YouTube channels – and track content so that parents, caregivers, and educators can make informed decisions. They give an age recommendation for media and also specifically note what kind of content it contains. Let’s run through a quick example: the oft-banned Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. They recommend the book for children 8 and older. They note positive messages for the book, “Full of positive messages about the power of love, friendship, and self-sacrifice. Also about not letting your background dictate who you become.” There is also a note about violence and scariness, “Kids are in peril often, but it’s mostly at the hands of fantasy creatures…” The description goes on to outline each of these scenarios, so that you know how intense the book will be. If you have an issue with language, you may be happy to know that there is one instance of “Damn.”
Common Sense Media also provides parent and child reviews, as well as a rundown of each book. There are lists of recommended books, so if you’re looking for something new it can be a great place to start.
Of course, not everything has been reviewed. You may not be able to find every book your child is interested in. If you have any further questions or need more resources, our librarians at GPL are more than happy to help!
