The Danger of Labels: Why a National Book Rating System Could Harm Readers, Writers, and Libraries

Would implementing a national book rating system be an effective tool to assist libraries, parents, and students in selecting appropriate reading material? The same people that are calling for school library censorship, coincidentally have a rating system that they would like to see adopted by states and even nationally - and they have the ear of some state legislatures.  If they succeed, one potential outcome could be the establishment of a national rating system that categorizes books based on content, including themes such as sexual orientation, race, gender, social justice, coming of age, and other topics deemed “inappropriate” for minors. This article examines the potential risks and implications of such a system for literature and students.

Who Decides What Is Appropriate?

The most immediate issue that arises from having a national rating system concerns who is evaluating books and determining their ratings. There are two avenues to explore, both with their own pitfalls: humans or technology. 

A rating board comprised of government-endorsed individuals is sure to mirror whichever political party is in power at the time, reflecting specific ideologies which could lead to biased classifications. Specific topics, such as discrimination or social issues, may be unfairly rated higher due to their controversial nature. For example, The Hate You Give, a critically acclaimed and award-winning book by Angie Thomas about a Black sixteen-year-old girl who witnesses a white police officer shooting and killing her Black friend which she then must testify about in court, could very easily be given a higher rating by a more conservative-leaning board. 

Not only would bias be an issue for a human board, but managing the sheer volume of titles would make the process chaotic and unsustainable. In 2023, Publisher’s Weekly’s November issue shared a shocking statistic from Bowker’s data: 3 million new titles were published that year alone. And with the rising popularity of indie publishing, the numbers grow higher every year. Who could possibly keep up with that work load to rate all those titles? It would require significant federal resources that could be more beneficial elsewhere. And if the board decided to minimize their costs by charging the publisher for ratings, the extra cost would be passed on down to the consumer, making books less accessible for lower income families. 

Now let’s examine another alternative to a human board, utilizing AI or other algorithm-based technologies to create a book rating system. The first concern is similar to what having a human board would encounter, who is training the AI? Biases could easily be included in the training process. Also, the program would be given a rigid set of rules to follow, ignoring all the nuances of book content. A book about a child living with a parent who faces opioid addiction would likely be rated higher due to the instance of drugs in the content, even though the intent is to help children facing that exact situation in real life. 

With either of these approaches, human or AI, the issue of dispute resolution remains. Who would reevaluate when an author or publisher disagrees with the initial rating? That would be more time, expense, and administrative hassle, delaying access to books.  

Both human and AI-driven rating systems present significant challenges, including bias, inefficiency, and the inability to account for the nuances of book content. These issues not only risk limiting access to important literature but also place unnecessary burdens on resources that could be better allocated elsewhere.

Issues of Subjectivity and Age-Appropriateness in Rating Content

Whether human or AI, the rating body will have to grapple with a wide variety of content that is present in books. What is considered “age-appropriate” varies widely among families and communities. A national standard cannot account for cultural, religious, or personal values. What one parent considers acceptable and appropriate for their child might not be the same for another parent. Plus, children develop at different rates, and what is suitable for one may not be for another. A rigid system may not reflect the nuanced needs of individual readers.

There is also a great risk of oversimplification that would reduce books to labels, ignoring themes, lessons, or important context. Complex stories with important messages could be overlooked or misrepresented. In addition, high ratings for certain books might inadvertently stigmatize them or deter readers. Books tackling important but challenging topics such as mental health or eating disorders might be avoided due to higher ratings. 

A national rating system oversimplifies the complexity and diversity of books, failing to account for the unique needs and values of individual families and readers. By reducing literature to rigid labels, such a system risks misrepresenting important stories and discouraging engagement with meaningful, nuanced topics.

Limitations on Creative Freedom

When presented with a rating system authors and publishers know they must have on their books, authors might censor themselves to avoid controversial ratings. Word choice is a powerful tool for authors to use and being overly cognizant of what AI might search for or a panel may select out of context could have serious consequences. This would stifle creative works, leading to less diversity of topics in children’s literature. 

Texas House Bill 900, currently facing a legal challenge in court, seeks to require publishers to put a content badge on all books or else a district cannot purchase them for the school library. How many important and culturally significant books could be left off the shelves in Texas because of this rating system? How many authors publishing in Texas may censor their content out of fear of not being on the shelves? If we expand this to a national level, it could unintentionally lead to censorship of valuable and educational works of the past, present, and future. 

A national rating system could create a chilling effect on authors and publishers, leading to self-censorship and a reduction in diverse, meaningful stories for children. By prioritizing restrictive labels over literary merit, such a system risks limiting access to important cultural and educational works, ultimately harming both readers and the literary landscape.

Reducing Parental Autonomy and Undermining Librarians and Educators

The best judges of what is suitable for specific children? Their parents. And having a national system takes away that autonomy and might discourage parents from actively engaging in their children’s reading choices. They may rely on a flawed system that keeps challenging topics away from readers, and this would doubly impact advanced and mature children who grow from reading deeper material. 

Let’s not forget the consummate professionals when it comes to children’s books, librarians and teachers. These professionals are trained to guide children’s reading choices, and they may be overshadowed by rigid, one-size-fits-all ratings. Professional librarians and teachers are more than equipped to recommend books based on individual needs and maturity levels. 

A national rating system undermines the role of parents, librarians, and teachers—those best suited to guide children’s reading based on individual needs. Rather than relying on a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach, we should trust these experts and caregivers to make informed decisions that foster a love of reading and intellectual growth.

What We Should Do Instead

Rather than imposing a national rating system, schools, libraries, and parents can work together to evaluate content. We should be encouraging parents to read with their children and discuss content together. This collaborative approach with open dialogue fosters critical thinking and helps children understand complex ideas. 

Let’s not forget the tools we already have out there for evaluating age-appropriateness and content. Parents can look up professional reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, Readers’ Favorite, or other book reviewing services. They can also consult reviews from other readers and parents on Amazon, GoodReads, Common Sense Media, and others. Amazon and other retailers will often list an appropriate age range for a book that can help guide parents. The app Libby is another great resource for seeing reviews and awards a book has won. There are many resources already at parents’ fingertips to get information about any book. 

A national book rating system presents more challenges than solutions, risking bias, oversimplification, and the suppression of diverse perspectives in children's literature. Instead of implementing a restrictive framework, we should empower parents, librarians, and educators to make informed decisions, fostering open discussions and critical thinking to guide young readers in a way that respects individual values and needs.