Having an avid reader can be a blessing and a challenge. Many of us desire for our children to have an insatiable hunger to feed their minds and imaginations. But things can begin to get tricky when your child’s reading level is much higher than their maturity. The challenge seems to begin in the tween years (ages 9-12) but can be tough to navigate even into the teenage years. So how do I find age-appropriate books for my tween without reading them myself first? Here are some simple solutions to find suitable books for the tween in your home.
Stick with the Juvenile Section of the Library
As you venture out of the kid’s section of the library and into the “Young Adult” section, it quickly gets difficult to find books without too much sensual content or foul language. Sticking to books only from the kids, or the “Juvenile” section sounds like an easy solution, but it is not always so clear-cut. Especially when a series starts in the J section but ends in YA, such as “Harry Potter.” This makes it tricky for some who want to start the series but may not be ready for the latter books.
That being said, limiting your child to books that are only in the kid’s section of the library simplifies the search and creates a clear-cut solution to avoiding too much romance or more mature themes your child may not be ready for yet. You may still need to preview the books for family values or other content your child is sensitive to, but there are plenty of Juvenile books to be read without rushing into the YA section just yet. Just because they have a high reading comprehension level, doesn’t mean you cannot find quality and enjoyable books in the kid’s section of the library. I have thoroughly enjoyed many books from the Junior section, even as an adult. Especially as an adult.
“No book is really worth reading at age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty.”
C.S. Lewis
Check out this fantastic podcast on the topic from Read Aloud Revival: Books for Teens, and why YA is a genre (not a reading level)
Establish Guidelines for Choosing Good Books
Establish clear boundaries of what is appropriate at a later age when they are more mature, and what is just inappropriate. You don’t need to teach this all at once, but be intentional about teaching them to make good choices as appropriate. Always remember that you know your child best and the values you want to instill in them. Children will have varying levels of sensitivity to certain themes depending on personality or life experiences. Don’t feel pressure to allow your child to read something their peers are reading if you know they are not ready for it. If your child is more sensitive than his/her friends, or if a popular book doesn’t uphold your family values, don’t hesitate to look for more appropriate alternatives. In the end, go with your gut.
Teach your child to listen to their gut as well. Keep the conversations going about what they are reading and what they think and feel about certain themes, or topics they encounter.
Read With Your Older Children Regularly
The best way to know if a book is a good one is to read it yourself. While this may not be realistic for every book, it’s a great way to know what your child is reading and relate to them on a different level. Have a mini book club with your child or make it a point to read aloud together regularly.
Reading together with your older child can lead to some really good discussions! Talk about what you both liked and disliked about the book.
- If you could change the ending, how would you rewrite it?
- Who was your favorite character and why?
- Is there anyone you can relate to in the book and how?
- If you were the main character, would you have made the same decisions or taken the same actions? Why or why not?
Utilize the Library
By utilizing the library you can check out multiple options risk-free. If some turn out to be duds, just return them and move on. This can be a great way to preview books as well before handing them over to your child to read. Even just a quick skim can help put your mind at ease or confirm if a book is inappropriate.
When doing a search on the library’s site, look for a “related content” or “novelist content” section under the book’s description. This can be a goldmine for finding similar books to ones your child already loves.
When you find a book you love, make sure to look for other works by the author.
Classic Books and Award Winners
When in doubt, search for lists of Living Books and Classics. They are called classics for a reason, they have stood the test of time. Awards such as the Newbery Award are also a great place to find well-renowned works of literature. Newbury books often fall into the older elementary age group which is perfect for the tween demographic. Don’t forget to check out the Newbery Honors, as well!
Find Quality Books Through Reviews
Two places I often look at for book reviews are Goodreads and Amazon. Because they are well-known popular sites, they tend to also have the most reviews written. This helps you get a pretty good overview of content and quality for any book you might be considering.
Don’t forget to look for “related content” or other books recommended on these sites as well!
Determine Appropriate Books for your Tween with Common Sense Media
Formerly free, Common Sense Media now has a subscription option after your first three free searches are used up. This non-profit resource has a wealth of information, including books, apps, movies, and more, not just reviews, which could be an investment worth considering. Both parents and children can write reviews, giving insight from both perspectives and a better sense overall of the content reviewed. It also lists a specific rating for each related to sensitive material that may be present such as alcohol/drugs, nudity, language, violence, etc. Common Sense Media is probably the most comprehensive review site for books you want to know specifics on without having to read it yourself.
Need more help finding books for an advanced or avid reader? Check out How to Find Engaging Books for Your Advanced Reader Plus 2021 Book List for Tween Girls (ages 10-12)
How do you help your kids find quality books?
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