do you think books should have a rating?

[learntojive]

I think it would be a great idea if books were rated on the back like films. They should have an age group and then adult ones have a little tick for sex, swearing etc. I have a cupboard full of books and my 12 year old daughter is constantly looking through asking if she can read this one, that one. She's a good reader but I daredn't let her until I've read them first ...just in case they need censoring.

[Whickerman]

You've answered your own question. For kids it's a matter of parental responsibility. Frankly I would never accept censorship of a book.

[learntojive]

I just wondered what other people thought.
I've just passed 'the lost art of keeping secrets' onto her which I finished, it's a nice book, nothing amazing but quite suitable for her.
Because it's classed as an adult book though I just daredn't let her read it before I did in case there was anything unsuitable, I needn't have worried in this case but you just don't know until you've read them.

[toby99]

I think it would be a very good idea!

[Whickerman]

Sounds like you're taking the sensible approach though. Regulation is the easy way out in my humble opinion

[toby99]

To know beforehand whether a book contained swearing, sexual content, suitable age range etc must surely be a good thing. It is very difficult to select a book for the younger reader these days, as you cannot be sure of the content.

[China Doll]

No not really. Generally I think it's quite easy to tell whether a book is suitable for a kid or not.

Also what would happen to text books that contain information on sex or war crimes or anything like that really, would they be rated too?

It's not something I would support I'm afraid.

[toby99]

You make a good argument, but I still would like some reference even if it was guidance to the age range.

I tried recently to find out (for example) what age the Silver Sord is aimed at.

[Whickerman]

if you go into any good bookshop for your books you'll find there's a children's section, teen section, young adult etc. In addition, the children themselves will know what they want to read based on their friends' recommendations, just like we all did. Realistically, books have been around for centuries without ratings, none of us were damaged...

[China Doll]

Sometimes to protect kids you have to expose them to a few swearies and a different way of life and let them make up their own mind.

Most kids/teenagers can suprise you with their wisdom and in many cases there's a shed load the grown ups could learn from them.

I'm not saying let them run riot with Moll Flanders or Tom Jones or indeed Stephen King but have faith in the values you installed in them. Like I said, generally you can tell and the times you can't and they maybe get a doozy of a book, their reacton might suprise you.

[learntojive]

Thanks all for your views.
I can go to the library or WH Smiths and I know which books are meant for children and teens - the ones I'm meaning are adult books, I would just like a way of knowing beforehand if it contains unsuitable material. Not just for my daughter either ...I'm sure there are some adults who would prefer to read a book that doesn't contain graphic sex scenes or lots of swearing.
She's seen the Richard and Judy book club with me and has asked to read some of them, but even on there they don't tell you about the content, I'd have to read it first.
I have to disagree with the comment that's it's easy to tell the content of a book, how can you possibly tell from the cover and the blurb?
I know it's never gonna happen and I'm not talking about complete censorship (and text books are different) - but just a little box on the back like you get on films would be a good thing in my opinion

[Louisa 69]

An adult book is just that. The author has written it for an adult audience, so i wouldn't think it would really be suitable for a 12 year old. Some books do contain a warning on them, for instance some of Richard Laymon's books gives warnings of cannibalism & such.

[learntojive]

Not always, 'the lost art of keeping secrets' by Eva Rice (from Richard and Judys bookclub) is an adult book but is perfect for a teenager, it's a lovely story.
'Flowers in the attic' by is an old one which she loved by Virginia Andrews, slight sexual reference in one part but otherwise no problem, that's classed as an adult book.

[Louisa 69]

And if i remember rightly did Flowers in the attic not contain refrences to insest ??

[China Doll]

Yep... If memory serves Flowers in the Attic is part of a series of books centred around an incestous relationship.

[Senga 2]

I don't agree with censorship of books, but I agree that you sometimes have to monitor. When my daughter was 12 the school librarian wouldn't let her borrow The Colour Purple. I bought her a copy and we discussed the issues afterwards. I'd like that it gave her insight into other ways of life, surely one of the criteria of a good book.

[learntojive]

...but I'm not saying that I want censorship, just that an indication on the back of the content might be a good idea