Do you ever wonder, “Are those books really for MG & YA Readers?” Are all novels in the middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) section of the library or bookstore always appropriate for your tween or teen? MG books are supposed to be for 8 to 12 year olds, and YA books are supposed to be for 13 to 18 year olds, but that doesn’t mean the content is safe for them.

What You Need to Know

Publishers and authors don’t use the same rating system as television and movies. That industry doesn’t always have your child’s best interest in mind. Sometimes they want to make money more than they want to edify your child.

In the book world, “spicy” means books with explicit content. This can be also be categorized as open-door, erotica, smut, and high-heat. Social media has been recently outraged by a newly published book classified as YA that has explicit scenes between three people and one of them is dead. Spice in YA books isn’t a new thing but it is now getting a lot of attention because of that new novel. Unfortunately, that book’s sales have spiked because of the controversy, which tells publishers to create more of its kind.

Why is this a problem?

For one, parents are busy running a household with full time jobs. They may not have time to read the stories before their children do. Even adults like to read MG and YA to avoid spicy content, but are tricked with popular books. The mainstream author stories everyone is promoting on social media tend to have at least a little adult content.

Another problem with putting a MG or YA label on adult content is that a teenager has an underdeveloped mind and body. They’re still growing mentally, physically, and spiritually. They’re still figuring out who they are and who they want to become. You wouldn’t ask them to carry a box that is too heavy, so why would you ask their minds to carry a topic that’s too heavy?

What the Experts Say

The American College of Pediatricians states, “Consumption of pornography is associated with many negative emotional, psychological, sociological, and physical health outcomes. These include increased rates of depression, anxiety, acting out and violent behavior, younger age of sexual debut, sexual promiscuity, increased risk of teen pregnancy, child sex abuse, sexual trafficking, and a distorted view of relationships between men and women.”

What the Bible Says

The world is constantly battling between good and evil.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Those who seek power and control know the best way to obtain it is through young, moldable minds. It’s a way to separate children from their parents’ morals and religion. Our youth are being lied to by Satan in so many ways besides just fictional fantasy. It may sound dramatic since reading is supposed to be a fun pastime entertainment. Afterall, it’s only an adventure between pages in a story. Evil people have ulterior motives and can manipulate anything to trap the innocent. Several even admit on social media that “spicy” books are addictive. Would you give your child an addictive cigarette? Then why give them something that could hook their minds?

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

What is the Solution?

If you can’t audit every book before your child consumes, find those who already have. There are several Instagram accounts that champion for clean, wholesome, and closed-door content. They make suggestions, explain content warnings, and post these options frequently. These accounts are warriors fighting to preserve the innocence of young minds. Once you follow an account, they tell you about others just like them. Then your social media feed starts recommending more as part of the algorithm. Soon you’ll have a large list of potential books for your child and you won’t have to wonder, “Are those books really for MG & YA Readers?

Accounts to Follow