Books for children and teens today cover a wide range of complex and sometimes mature content — including violence, sexual themes, profanity, and ideological views — yet they lack the rating system like the ones used for movies or video games. Why? 

Parents, educators, and caregivers deserve clear, reliable guidance about what’s inside the books marketed to minors. We call on publishers, authors, booksellers, and educational institutions to implement a voluntary book rating system that always includes age recommendations and content warnings, so families can make informed decisions without limiting access or resorting to censorship. (We’re not saying ban them, we’re saying put them where they belong!)

As concerned parents, educators, and community members, we are asking for FULL transparency in the books that are marketed and sold to children and teens.

Currently, there is no formal rating system to help adults understand whether a book is appropriate for a 7-year-old or a 15-year-old. While movies, television, and video games are subject to voluntary rating systems that guide families and protect children from prematurely engaging with explicit content, the publishing industry does not follow a consistent model.

Many books intended for middle grade or young adult audiences include content that can be disturbing or inappropriate for their intended age range, including:

Graphic violence
Profanity and explicit language
Sexual themes or situations
Ideological messaging without parental context

We believe that an age-based book rating system — similar to the MPAA film ratings (G, PG, PG-13, R) — would EMPOWER families, not restrict them. Just as parents decide whether their child is ready for a PG-13 movie, they should have the same tools for books.

We propose a voluntary national book rating framework, developed in partnership with publishers, educators, librarians, and parents, to include:

Age group recommendations (e.g., 7+, 10+, 13+, 16+)
Content labels (e.g., mild language, violence, sexual content, drug use)
Clear placement on covers, websites, and bookstore/library listings.

This system would not ban books or prevent access — it would simply provide honest, helpful information to guide responsible reading choices. Reading explicit content intended for adults is just as damaging to a child’s mind as would be visually seeing it on a screen. A child’s mind and innocence should always be protected, not groomed or exploited for lack of regulation.

We urge the following organizations to take action:

U.S. Department of Education
American Library Association (ALA)
Book publishers and retailers (Scholastic, Penguin Random House, Amazon, Barnes & Noble)
National PTA and school boards nationwide

Let’s bring clarity and accountability to children’s literature — because protecting young minds and preserving trust in books go hand in hand.

Call to Action:

Sign this petition to show your support for a standardized, age-based book rating system. Together, we can protect the freedom to read while equipping families with the tools they need to choose wisely.