Content Rating Categories
Children (C): All Ages
A C-rated children’s book contains no coarse language, nudity, sex, violence or other adult themes (i.e. sexuality and/or sexual identity, drug and/or alcohol use). The children's rating is not a "certificate of approval.”
A C-rated children’s book contains no coarse language, nudity, sex, violence, or other adult themes, such as drug and alcohol use, and sexuality or sexual identity. The C rating does not imply a "certificate of approval." However, it indicates that the book's theme, language, and content are appropriate for younger children, and it should not contain any material that may offend or disturb parents. In C-rated books, language use may include common everyday expressions, but no stronger words are present. Depictions of violence are minimal and not graphic. It's important to note that the C-rating is not a guarantee that a book is suitable for every child, and parents should always review the content of books before giving them to their children
Middle Grade (MG) - Typically for ages 8-12
The MG rating (Mild Guidance) indicates that some material may not be suitable for children, and parents should review the content before giving it to their younger children. A book with an MG rating may contain minor coarse language, but no curse words. It may also include minor action violence without any serious injury, and there may be natural nudity, but no sexual nudity or sex scenes. The content should not include any adult themes, or drug or alcohol use. None of these elements are deemed intense enough to require a strong caution beyond the suggestion of parental guidance.
Young Adult (YA-13) - Typically for ages 13+
Parents Cautioned: Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. The theme of the book alone will not result in a rating greater than YA13. The main characters are generally 13-17 years old. These books may contain sex references, but no descriptive acts beyond kissing, nor a Sexual Acts rating of more than 1. There are no restrictions on non-sexual nudity. Content may include mild to moderate coarse language and mild curse words (no more than 2 instances), drug innuendo (but not use), mildly crude or suggestive humor, and/or moderate action violence. However, bloodshed is rarely present, and the violence will not be both realistic and extreme at the same time.
Young Adult (YA-16) Typically for ages 16+
Parents Strongly Cautioned. This material contains more explicit language, sexual content, and/or violence than books rated YA-13. It is not suitable for children or teens below the age of 16. The main characters are 16-19 years old. The content may include adult language, themes, and suggestions. There are no restrictions on non-sexual nudity, and the book may contain sex references with more than brief nudity but will not have a Sexual Acts rating of more than 2. Up to 3 uses of explicit language, including harsher sexually-derived words, may be present, but only as an expletive. The book may also include drug use and crude or suggestive humor. Bloodshed and realistic violence may occur on more than one occasion, but detailed descriptions of physical interactions of sexual or violent nature do not venture beyond fade to black.
Sweet and Sour Adult: SAS 17+
The content includes adult themes, and violence and drug use may be present, but not both realistic and extreme or persistent. The main characters will generally be at least 20 years old. Sexual acts may be implied but are generally fade to black. The book may include minor coarse language, but none of the harsher sexually-derived words. There are no restrictions on non-sexual nudity, and the book may contain mildly crude or suggestive humor, but no horror moments.
Adult (A) For 18+
This content contains explicit language and adult themes, including coarse language, intense or persistent violence, nudity, and drug or alcohol abuse. Parents are advised to take this rating very seriously. Detailed descriptions of physical interactions of a sexual or violent nature go beyond the fade to black. It is recommended to search for trigger warnings.
