I read a review today for A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray over at Jace Scribbles. Though I’d seen reviews for this novel before, this is the first time I realized it’s actually a YA novel (totally my fault for not paying attention).

Lately I’ve noticed a flood of YA novels being reviewed around Blogland. I suppose I should clarify and say by lately I mean the last year or so. Either I didn’t really pay attention before or more and more adult reader blogs are looking into YA. Personally, I don’t recall reading any YA, with the exception of the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer, though it’s possible I have and just don’t recall what titles. I can say I don’t generally search them out, however.

I’m wondering what the target age for YA is. I have an 11 year old daughter. She’s right on the cusp of womanhood, not quite a teenager, not quite a child. And I wonder, would a novel like A Great and Terrible Beauty be appropriate for my preteen? Are they marketed more for adults? For the older teenage crowds (ages 15-18 we’ll say)? For children my daughter’s age?

I ask because recently my mother bought my daughter White is for Magic by Laurie Faria Stolarz. On Amazon, it says the reading level for the book is ages 9-12, which would fit my daughter to a T.

Now, before I go any further I have to admit I’m extremely strict with both my children, and I really limit what they’re allowed to read, watch on television, look at online and listen to on the radio. I have parental guidance controls set up on their computer (speaking of, you should check out the Glubble add on for Firefox. It’s awesome for controlling what your children see/do online), skim through books before I give them to my children to read, watch movies (or check online reviews) before I let them see them, etc. I realize I may take this overboard a bit, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. My children will not be the ones meeting 40 year old perverts on Myspace at age 12. /soapbox

*ehem*

Since my mom purchased White is for Magic, my daughter was half finished with it before she brought it home. I began to have my doubts that it was appropriate reading material for her, right about the time she started asking what, exactly a casket was and why someone who was quite alive and well would be doing in one. Then, she wanted to know what a noose was.

I’m thinking 1) if she has to ask probably she shouldn’t be reading the book and 2) do I want my 11 year old reading a book where the main character dreams of waking in a casket, or sees herself standing outside her window with a noose around her neck? Probably not so much.

But the Amazon rating clearly says, Reading level: Ages 9-12, which is why my mom bought it for her. So then I’m thinking maybe it was mis-labeled and it should be for GRADES 9-12 rather than AGES 9-12. But then it won a Children’s Award, so maybe my daughter just isn’t as mature as other 9-12 year olds?

So then I start investigating some other novels on Amazon. A Great and Terrible Beauty is rated simply as Young Adult, though there is a note in the review from School Library Journal that it should be for Grade 9 and up. White is for Magic doesn’t. A search for Bestsellers in books: Any Category> Books > Teens > Mysteries on Amazon directs you to a page listing for books that’s topped with Creation in Death by JD Robb.

Do I think Creation is a wonderful book? Absolutely.
Do I think it’s a bit much for teens? Yep.

Some of the in Death novels are extremely graphic, and though I, as an adult, enjoy them, I certainly wouldn’t want my teenager reading them (although, to be fair, it would depend on the child and what exact age we’re referring to. 18? Probably not a big deal. 13? Major big deal).

Or perhaps I’m mistaken and the rating system on Amazon has nothing to do with content, but with the actual reading difficulty (meaning use of large words, etc)? If that’s the case, it’s rather misleading, don’t you think?

So what are your thoughts? Do you know exactly how the rating system on Amazon* is used? What target audience do you think YA is being marketed for? Would a novel like A Great and Terrible Beauty be appropriate for my 11 year old? What about White is for Magic? What tools are available to parents to find appropriate reading material for their young adults/preteens?

*I chose to pick on Amazon today for two reasons 1) I do 95% of my book shopping with them and 2) I was short on time and couldn’t research other sites. Please feel free to do so if you’d like.