By Jean Matthew Hall

As You Thumb through a Book Ask Yourself:

How old is the Main Character of the story?

9 to 12 years old means the story is for Middle Grade students. 14 to 18 means the story is for a Young Adult audience.

What kind of strong language does the book contain?

Middle Grade books stay away from cursing. Some publishers allow peripheral characters like parents or coaches to do mild cursing. Words like “darn” are permitted.

If the Main Character and or their friends use profanity or sexually explicit words the book is for Young Adults.

How graphic and how frequent is violence in the book?

Often General Market publishers follow the same guidelines for violence as the ratings for movies and TV programming. Christian Market publishers vary in how much they allow.

How much, and what kind of romance is in the story?

A crush, some hand-holding, a lot of blushing and embarrassment and maybe a peck on the cheek means the book is for Middle Grade.

If the Main Character (and others) are “in love,” have sexual contact or talk about sex, experience making out, passionate kissing or more, the book is for Young Adults—even if these topics are not committed but are strongly hinted at, discussed or imagined..

How does the main character experience and interpret life and the world?

If the story centers around home, family, school, friends the Main Character probably experiences the story and their personal changes internally. That is typical of a Middle Grade book. The characters change but stay within the confines of their smaller world. They are just beginning a journey into seeing life a different way. They experience the events of the story but aren’t especially aware of what they are feeling and why. They are not really analyzing life.

If the Main Character’s world expands during the story so that they start questioning and thinking about their place in the bigger world beyond home, family, school and friends the story is for Young Adults. The Main Character is experiencing the world externally and beginning a journey to find their place in the bigger world and see life differently. They tend to be introspective and analytical about their experience and how it affects their life.

A Quick Comparison:

Middle Grade:

Age of readers: 8 to 12 or 13

Length of books: 30,000 to 50,000 words

Content restrictions: No profanity, graphic violence or sex

Age of the Main Character: usually 12 or 13

Focus of the Main Character: friends, family, school, their immediate world and relationships.

Voice: usually third person

Young Adult:

Age of readers: usually 14 to 18

Length of books: 50,000 to 75,000 words

Content restrictions: Profanity, graphic violence, romance and sexuality are allowed if deemed pertinent to the story.

Age of the Main Character: usually 14 or 15 for younger Young Adult books, 17 or 18 (but still in High School) for older Young Adult books.

Focus of the themes: Young Adult main characters discover how they fit into the big world outside their family, friends and school.

Voice: usually first person

Remember that kids read across age-lines. Some younger kids are ready for older books. Some older kids prefer books for younger readers. Reading categories are about more than reading abilities. They take into consideration age, maturity, language, violence, theme, topics.

Use YOUR judgement, parents and grandparents. God gave us the responsibility to protect and nurture those beautiful little minds.