How do you check is a bookis age appropriate?

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My 9yo DS1 is a keen reader.

He loves Harry Potter and has read them all over and over.

It seems to me that the reading ability required for those books is not much lower than many adult novels.

In encouraging him to stretch himself, how do I make sure the books are suitable? It seems that me that much of the stuff written for young adults is not at all suitable for a 9yo, but it's not obvious from the blurb if this is the case - sometimes it's difficult to work out if the book is intended for adults or children.

Er, well, you probably can't. Not all the time. But on the other hand something a Bit Inappropriate for a nine-year old won't kill them, IMO. (I have a nine year old.)

Try him on Terry Pratchett. My nine year old is loving him.

There is usually a 9-12 section in bookshops and they have introduced an age guide on the back cover of recently published editions. Personally I'd go by authors/series as a start ie Michael Morpurgo, Percy Jackson, the Edge Chronicles, Barnaby Grimes and Muddle Earth series.

Enrol the help of a sensible teenager to proof-read for you, or read them yourself first...

Definitely seconding the Terry Pratchett and Michael Morpurgo suggestions. Anne Fine is very good, as is Enid Blyton

I read a lot of them myself... usually after the fact :).

If it's in the Junior section of the library then effectively it's already been screened by someone else. I get most of DC's books from the libary. DS is now 11yo and it is starting to get trickier.

I started reading my parents books at about that age - I never came across anything too shocking (although I do remember being fascinated at my glimpses into what goes on inside a grown-ups head).

Just do your best to weed out the completely inappropriate, and try not to stress too much if something untoward slips passed you. But do be prepared to answer questions honestly, if any odd subjects crop up.