At TheLiterateMother.org, our goal is to provide reliable content ratings for youth and young adult literature. We feel it is important for parents, teachers, librarians and concerned adults to be informed about the subject matter children encounter in books. Every book posted on our site is personally read and objectively rated in four categories: language, violence, sexual content and adult themes. This information helps parents and concerned adults suggest or discourage certain books, discuss sensitive material or simply strike up a conversation with a child about the book he or she is reading.Whether you have a sensitive child who you want to steer away from certain topics, a voracious reader you would like to guide toward more appropriate books, or just want to be informed on the subject matter to which your young reader is exposed, we hope you will find help at TheLiterateMother.org.

Jennifer Stevenson

Jennifer Hafen Stevenson is the mother of four avid readers (one of picture books).  One of her greater accomplishments is reciting The Little Engine That Could by memory. She received her B.S. from Brigham Young University with a major in Psychology and a minor in English. After graduating, she returned to BYU and completed her secondary education teaching certificate. When not reading, mopping or running kids around, she enjoys hiking and skiing with her family in the beautiful Utah mountains.

Bridget Verhaaren

Bridget Banfield Verhaaren is the mother of three young readers ranging in age from 11 to 4.  Bridget received her B.A. in English from Brigham Young University.  She was employed for six years with Bear Stearns Asset Management in New York.  She currently resides with her family, in Arizona, where she maintains ”controlled chaos” daily. Bridget enjoys V.F.A.’s (Verhaaren Family Adventures), skiing, cycling and cooking on occasion.

Ellen Bahr

Ellen M.H. Bahr is a reader, writer, traveler, tutor, cook, chauffeur, and maid all at once.  She is also a stay-at-home mom to three practically perfect children, all voracious readers.  She received her degree from Brigham Young University in International Relations/Asian Studies with a minor in French.  She loves books, chocolate, and old movies.   She has lived in Utah, Colorado, Hawaii, Japan, and a very short stint in London, England, but now makes her home in Oro Valley, Arizona.

Keri Heath

Keri Coleman Heath is the mother of four fantastic children ranging in ages from 13 to 5.  Keri graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Special Education with an emphasis in mild/moderate and severe/profound disabilities.  She recently returned to teaching and is always on the lookout for great books to tempt inexperienced readers.  She currently resides in Utah where she enjoys the beautiful mountains with her family, getting dirty in the garden, sewing when time permits, and losing herself in a good book.

Aimee Brown

Aimee Brown is a wife to the best man ever and a mother of 3 beautiful children.  They currently call the most northern (coldest, windiest, snowiest)  part of Utah home.  Aimee works part time as an office administrator for a realty group in town and loves her job.   Aimee loves seeing new places and doing new things.  Dragging the family along with her, willing or not, is one of her favorite things!  There may be too many hobbies to count, but the chart toppers for Aimee right now include digital scrapbooking, card making, and singing with a local women’s choir.  Of course, the first greatest love of all the hobbies is reading.  A good book equals happiness!  Sharing a good book, even better.

©2009 The Literate Mother