I'm trying to remove Children's Books categories (genre) from books that are truly Teen/YA/Adult.   A life's work, I'm beginning to think. LOL

My problem are the ones that show both Children's Books >> 9-12 and Teen; and/or that come from the database service with YA showing on the main book details page.

Right now I'm wanting to start on James Patterson's Maximum Ride series.  Some are listed as Teen and some also have Children's Books > 9-12.   OK, I would probably have read these at age 12, but would these be considered 'of interest' and/or 'age-appropriate' for 9-10 yr olds? Opinions, please on how this series should be listed...

Everywhere I looked online (Amazon, GoodReads, B&N) has them listed as YA.  I've read the first few and I'd consider them for younger teens, but not really 9-12.  More Middle Grade, which generally is lumped in with YA.  (Of course, I am neither a parent or a librarian, so take this with a grain of salt.)

Thanks, Jenna.   I'm not a librarian, teacher or parent either.  When I research YA, there isn't consensus for age - for some it's 12-17, for others it's 14-18.  A few even include children as young as 10.  Maybe I'll just check with the County Librarian when I pick up some books on Thursday.

I'll probably stick just to Teen genre for this series - parents could get annoyed if they ordered a book and found them too advanced for their 9 yr old...

I was going to say I'd probably look on Amazon to see what grade level the book has listed.  There should be a category that just says "Reading Level".  The problem with that is that it normally concerns the reading level at which the book is written and not so much the actual content.

Yeah, the 9-12 age group is usually referred to as "middle grade".  Books that are a little more advanced than early readers or short chapter books, but have plots that deal with themes like friendship and family rather than teen romances or angst.  Unfortunately, these books are a little hard to identify, since they get lumped in with YA, and with Children's. 

I would classify Maximum Ride as YA.  I haven't read them, but they seem geared toward teens more than middle grade.  Not that 12 year olds can't read them, of course.  :)  I was always advanced in my reading tastes. 

i'd keep this one TEEN, but the Daniel X series could definitley go younger, down to 10 or 11 probably.  Withc & Wizard woudl be teen too.

Thanks, everyone.  I appreciate your very helpful answers!

By the time I get through editing these, I'll have a better idea of what to look for in content, etc.