BookGuard · Books

Look beyond the book cover

Check any children’s or YA book by title, or snap a photo of the cover. See what’s inside before it goes on their bookshelf.

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Age guidance in plain language
Every child included
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A better book choice, before the first page

What you’ll learn about a book

A clear, calm overview of the story, written for busy parents.

Themes in the story

Violence, romance, religion, LGBTQ+ characters, substance use and other themes, described plainly and neutrally.

Language

Whether the book contains profanity, slurs or crude language, and how much of it to expect.

Age guidance

A suggested fit for your child’s age, such as suitable, better with a parent or better for older kids.

Scary or intense moments

Frightening scenes, loss and other heavy moments that might need a conversation first.

Positive themes

What the book does well, like friendship, courage or kindness, so you see the whole picture.

Photo of the cover

Snap the cover at the library or bookstore and Parent Brief identifies the book for you.

What we look at in every book

From picture books to young adult novels, each report covers the topics parents ask about most.

Violence
Romance & sexual content
Language
Scary scenes
Substance use
Religious themes
LGBTQ+ themes
Mature themes

How it works

Three short steps from “Can I?” to a decision you feel good about.

1
Search or snap
Type the title, or take a photo of the cover.
2
We screen the book
Our screening technology reviews detailed information about the title, its themes and its language.
3
Read and decide
Get a plain-language report with age guidance and a suggestion for your family.

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Guidance for your family, not rules for it

Guidance, not a guarantee

Reports draw on detailed information about each title, and they can still make mistakes. You know your child best, and the final decision is always yours.

Your values, your call

We describe what’s in a title plainly and neutrally. We don’t tell you what to allow. We give you the context to decide.

We never sell your data

Your searches and your family’s details stay private. You can delete your account and its data at any time.

Questions parents ask

Does it work for picture books and YA novels?

Yes. You can check books for children of any age, from picture books to young adult novels. Add your child’s age and the guidance is shaped around them.

Can I check a book from a photo?

Yes. Take a photo of the cover and Parent Brief identifies the title. A cover alone can’t tell the whole story, so the report draws on information about the book itself.

Does Parent Brief decide what my child can read?

No. Reports describe what’s in a book and suggest an age fit. What belongs on your child’s bookshelf is always your decision.

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