I think SPEAK is a book for everyone in 7th grade and older (the main character is 14). They present a couple of facts, nothing more.) The age ranges put on books aren’t very helpful – who decides what is right for 13? For 11? For 16? Ask 100 people and you’ll get 103 answers. They appreciate the heads-up.Īnd then there are people like the lady who insisted on buying SPEAK for her second-grade daughter because the girl was gifted and reading on a 10th-grade level.įor years I have been talking to people in publishing, librarians, teachers, booksellers, and other authors trying to figure out a way to alert book buyers and borrowers about books that are better suited for older readers. I always ask the parent to read the book first. I have lost track of the number of times I have met parents whose children (nine and ten-year-olds) have enjoyed one of my books for younger readers, so they pick up SPEAK or another YA title of mine and ask me to sign it for their child. I also write historical fiction that is aimed at grades 5-8 (but read by all ages), I wrote a series for tweens about kids volunteering in a vet’s clinic, and I write picture books for little kids. What’s up with the warning in the front of the book?įirst, some background.
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