What's Lurking Behind the Front Cover?

My hands shook as I held the closed book, slammed shut only seconds ago. My eyes wide, I tried to put the vivid descriptions and associated mental images of what I had just read out of my mind, but they persisted, lingering.

For me, the choice between finding out what happened next, and keeping the book closed for good, was easy. I was a child who liked rule following, and I dropped that book into the return bin at my school library the very next day.

Of course, I had never expected a book from school to contain such illicit events. It shocked me to my core to have come across that type of content at school.

Today, children are much more likely to encounter inappropriate themes and events in their literature than ever before. Modern technology, including Kindle, smart phones, and iPads, have made accessing reading materials more convenient than ever.

Children, in particular, have become adept at this, often surpassing adults in their ability to instantly access books, magazines, journals, and other reading materials. A 2021 survey by the American Library Association found that the majority of book challenges in schools and libraries involve concerns over sexually explicit content (62%), offensive language (48%), and age-inappropriate themes (46%).

According to a Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report (2020), 72% of parents of children aged 6–17 said it is essential for them to be involved in their child's book choices to ensure they align with family values or are age-appropriate and a National Reading Campaign study showed that 85% of parents believe they should have the final say on what their children read, particularly for books assigned in schools.

We believe that final say is a parent’s right, and the results are well worth the effort! Parents who preview books can ensure the material complements their child's learning or developmental stage. Books with mature themes, when reviewed beforehand, often become opportunities for parents to discuss complex topics like racism, relationships, or mental health in a guided way.

Your role as a parent in monitoring what your children read is crucial and empowering. Ensuring that the content is not only age-appropriate but also aligns with your family's values, brings safety and peace of mind. But, how can you know what is in your children's books without reading them? We understand that finding the time to read every book your child is interested in can be daunting.