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News,Reading Tips
08 Jun 2016 at 12:23 PM PDT
Updated 1 month ago

How our Book Content Rating System Works

By Catia Shattuck

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Book Content Rating System

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We hope you enjoy reading this post!
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Wondering how the book content rating system on Book Cave works? Not sure what ratings to sign up for? Let us help out.

What Is Our Book Content Rating System?

On Book Cave, we use our My Book Ratings (or MBR) ebook content rating system. MBR ratings are a lot like movie ratings, and they’re divided into six groups: All Ages, Mild, Mild+, Moderate, Moderate+,  Adult, and Adult+. All Ages is good for young children, with Mild being similar to a very “mild” PG movie. Both Mild+ and Moderate ratings will be somewhere around a PG or a PG-13 rating, with the moderate having slightly more intense language, heat, and violence.

Books are assigned ratings based on seven categories: crude humor/language, profanity, drug and alcohol use, kissing, nudity, sex and intimacy, and violence and horror. Within each of these categories there are levels of varying degrees, which are assigned a rating (All Ages, Mild, Mild+, Moderate, Moderate+, Adult, and Adult+). The book itself is assigned an overall rating in relation to the highest level across all categories, and the individual rating level for each of the categories is also listed in the daily deals email and on the book’s page.

For example, a book may be rated the following way: Moderate for moderate crude humor/language, some profanity (6 to 40), non-detailed fade-out sensuality, and moderate violence; also contains mild kissing. In this case, the overall rating for the book will be Moderate because of all 7 categories, Moderate is the highest rating.

So lets deconstruct this book’s rating:

  • The book is considered Moderate in the crude humor/language, profanity, sex and intimacy, and violence and horror categories.
  • The “also contains” denotes categories where the rating is lower that the book’s overall. In this case, the book is considered Mild in the kissing category.
  • The drug and alcohol use and nudity categories are not mentioned, which means that there is no notable drug and/or alcohol use, and there is no nudity.

In other words, when you sign up for books rated Moderate, that does not mean that the books will have a Moderate rating in every category (i.e. up to 40 swears, moderate crude humor, passionate kissing, non-graphic discussion of sex, implied closed-door sex, moderate nudity, significant violence, and moderate drug and alcohol use). Instead, it means that at least one of those seven categories is rated as Moderate.

For example, a book may contain significant violence but have no swearing, no sex scenes, no drug or alcohol use, and no crude humor, and yet it will still be rated Moderate+. The rating would look like this: Moderate+ for significant violence.

Choosing a rating does not automatically select all the ratings below it. Let’s say you choose Moderate+. You are now signed up for books that have been given an overall rating of Moderate+, but you are not signed up for books with an overall rating of Moderate, Mild+, Mild, or All Ages. If you want those books as well, you must click the selection boxes for each of those ratings individually.

Some Tips From Us

If you want some romance in your books but don’t want intimacy, sign up for Mild and Mild+. If you prefer your romances with a bit more heat, from some discussion of sex to closed-door scenes, choose Moderate and Moderate+. For up to three on-screen sex scenes, choose Adult. For erotica, choose Adult+.

If you want action and adventure with fight scenes and violence, sign up for Moderate, Moderate+, or Adult. You would sign up for this rating even if you didn’t want any intimacy or swearing or crude humor. Then you’d look at the warnings on each book to make sure it has only the violence and not the other content you don’t want.

If you’re looking for children’s books or nonfiction advice and how-to books, be sure to sign up for All Ages. Very few books are All Ages because most books have some violence, kissing, intimacy, or alcohol use. Think of a book that is rated All Ages as similar to a clean How It’s Made episode or a show like Sesame Street.

If you’re not getting many books in your inbox, take a look at your ratings and change them to also include levels that are below the level you signed up for. So if you only signed up for Moderate, consider signing up for Mild+ and Mild as well. If the content isn’t as intense as you’d like, try signing up for a higher level.

We’ll Tell You Exactly What You’re Getting

In our emails and on our site, we’ll tell you what the book is rated and why. That way, if, for example, you want books with action and fight scenes, but no kissing or intimacy, you can check the rating description and only get the books that match your preference. Here are some examples of our ratings to help you get a feel for how our book content rating system works:

Genre: Picture Books. Rating: All Ages

How our Book Content Rating System Works - all ages

Genre: Christian Fiction. Rating: Mild for mild kissing

How our Book Content Rating System Works - Mild

Genre: Mysteries & Suspense, Cozy. Rating: Mild+ for mild sensuality; also contains mild (nonsexual) violence

How our Book Content Rating System Works - Mild+

Genre: Teen & Young Adult Fiction. Rating: Moderate for moderate violence; also contains mild kissing (If you want violence but no intimacy, you would get this book.)

How our Book Content Rating System Works - Moderate

Genre: Romance, Contemporary. Rating: Moderate+ for fade-out intimacy with details or significant sexual discussion; also contains moderate crude humor/language, mild substance use, passionate kissing, some profanity (6 to 40), brief nudity, and some violence (If you want a bit more heated intimacy but not much violence, you would get this book.)

How our Book Content Rating System Works - Moderate+

Genre: Historical Fiction. Rating: Adult for non-graphic sex; also contains passionate kissing, moderate profanity (41 to 100), brief nudity, and moderate violence (If you want on-screen sex with only a few details but no crude humor or drug use, and less violence, you would get this book. Please note that there is also an adult level of “graphic sex,” and books with that level will include up to three scenes with details.)

How our Book Content Rating System Works - Adult

Genre: Thriller. Rating: Adult for graphic violence; also contains moderate crude humor/language, mild kissing, some profanity (6 to 40), and non-graphic sexual references (If you’re fine with graphic violence and crude humor, but prefer only some profanity and no on-screen sex, you would get this book.)

How our Book Content Rating System Works - Adult

You get the idea! Remember to sign up for all the content ratings you think you might like in your preferences. You can always choose whether or not to download a book when you see the ratings it has for each category in the ebook-deals email we’ll send to you. And as always, let us know if you have any questions.

Happy Reading!

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Avatar for Catia Shattuck
Catia Shattuck

I am a copyeditor and a typesetter of print books, and have been editing and typesetting (using InDesign) for thirteen years. As the executive editor at Book Cave, I enjoy helping authors be successful, and I only get interrupted a little bit (ha!) by my cute, rambunctious two-year-old.


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Comments

  1. Debbie
    Debbie • 1 year ago

    I was supposed to receive a number to get into app. I never received one.

    Reply
  2. Linda T.
    Linda T. • 1 year ago

    I have needed you for many years. Not just for myself ( I don’t read books with sexuality, language, content that is against my Christian character). Which believe me -removes 95% of books I love to read-sci-fi, thriller, mystery. But worse, the lack of rating system that is in place for movies and music, allowed my 16 year old to check out fifty shades of gray from her high school library-without my knowledge or approval. I found it hiding Under her bed, all excuses aside, it was the adults responsible for her having the availability. In high school I was the parent the dean of English hated, and I was often my daughter was made the scapegoat for parental morality. On the opposite side-so many parents agreed with me but too afraid to sacrifice their child’s grades, or ‘standing’ with the advanced English department. Perfect example is ‘the things they carried’ for Vietnam vet FICTION book. Due to my ‘up in arms’ attitude, my daughter was required to get a 5 paragraph review from her grandfather who actually served in the Vietnam war, in combat and read the REAL-LIFE story of POW John MCCain. Parents said they were afraid their child would get a low grade or be treated unfairly if they stood with me.
    My daughter was a -suma cum laude for her masters and grad school. She is a smart independent woman-I believe partly because she saw me stand for what was right. My morals and beliefs were not arbitrary or moveable. Sadly, she has few friends parents she can respect due to how they acted. What made me know? I read the book. It could not be read aloud in class because it would break the honor code, yet it was ok for my child to read female-shaming words as acceptable because ppl spoke that way in Vietnam. My attitude! Ppl speak that way now-the biggest insults are female directed, and females do it-but it’s not ok.
    I would love to find more sites like yours that actually help our society instead of making excuses. Let me know how I can help.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Ron Kirk
    Ron Kirk • 2 years ago

    Thank you for the ratings info

    Reply
  4. Molly webb
    Molly webb • 2 years ago

    I’m hoping this site can help me ! I’m 75 and enjoy murder/mysteries . I do hate graphic sex in books though and crude language
    I love the Elly Griffith/Ruth Galloway books . Would love to find more with similar standards .

    Reply
  5. Phyllis
    Phyllis • 2 years ago

    Like mystrities, not bloody messes.
    Love love stories. Adults

    Reply
  6. Carole Whaley
    Carole Whaley • 3 years ago

    Don’t like graphic violence.

    Reply
  7. Harriet Blanton
    Harriet Blanton • 3 years ago

    Am I right to assume that the boxes with the check in the boxes already are the boxes I want, and boxes I take away the checks are the ones I don’t want?

    Reply
    • Tony Braxton
      Tony Braxton Harriet Blanton • 3 years ago

      Correct.

      Reply
  8. Jarvis McCluskey
    Jarvis McCluskey • 4 years ago

    How do I obtain your books?

    Regards
    JarvisMcCluskey (Jarvisjamjar@gmail.com)

    Reply
  9. Hai Dinh
    Hai Dinh • 4 years ago

    Hi Site:

    My name is Hai Dinh. I recently saw my daughter, who is 12, reading Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon. I catched some adult content in Chapter 31. I wonder which age range this novel is appropriate for.

    Thank you for your advice.
    Hai Dinh

    Reply
  10. Janis Byrd
    Janis Byrd • 4 years ago

    I just found Book Cave Today, and I’m glad I did. I enjoy reading. I think I have
    found my new book store.

    Reply
  11. Tracy Petit
    Tracy Petit • 5 years ago

    I really appreciate the information you are supplying on different rating levels. There is nothing more frustrating than to invest in a book, only to find out it is very different than you thought. I also pass over books I would have enjoyed, but the cover was unappealing. This is great!

    Reply
  12. Pat Wilson
    Pat Wilson • 6 years ago

    I’m 75 and I like Thrillers, Mysteries no cozy mysteries for me.

    Reply
  13. Tommie Morris
    Tommie Morris • 6 years ago

    I am 84. Read lots of books. Do not like erotica, violence,paranormal… just a good storyline without all the sexual distractions!!!! Have to skip over a lot!!!! Haven’t figured out how to get books here yet…..

    Reply
    • Tony Braxton
      Tony Braxton Tommie Morris • 6 years ago

      Hi Tommie.
      Just email us at team@mybookcave.com. We’ll gladly answer any questions you may have.

      Reply
  14. Yvonne Butler
    Yvonne Butler • 6 years ago

    Me too I am 75 and read all the time. That may be 4or5 books a day. I have had a hard time getting my books in by genue selection.

    Reply
    • Tony Braxton
      Tony Braxton Yvonne Butler • 6 years ago

      Hi Yvonne. I’ve sent you a new password.

      Reply
  15. Melda Spencer
    Melda Spencer • 6 years ago

    This is wonderful. I am glad I finally stumbled onto this great site.
    I am 79 and not computer literate so I am thankful for your work.
    Thanks for providing it.

    Reply
    • Catia Shattuck
      Catia Shattuck Melda Spencer • 6 years ago

      You’re welcome! We’re so glad you’re enjoying it.

      Reply
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