📚 What Is the Book Content Rating Scale?
At The Obsidian Library, we believe that books should surprise you—but not blindside you.
That’s why every book review on this site includes a Content Suitability Rating (CSR) and, when applicable, Content Warnings (CW)—so you can decide before you start reading whether a book aligns with your comfort level, values, or reading goals.
Think of it as a book’s version of movie or video game ratings—not a moral judgment, but a practical tool.
We already expect transparency from streaming services, games, and film. Why not books? Literature has the power to provoke, heal, educate, and entertain—but that power lands differently depending on what you’re going through. This rating system helps you make informed, intentional reading choices.
🧭 How It Works
CSR (Content Suitability Rating): Indicates the general age-appropriateness and thematic depth of the book, from CSR-1 (Suitable for Everyone) to CSR-4 (Explicit & Dark Themes – Adult Readers Only).
CW (Content Warnings): Identifies specific topics that some readers may want to approach with care, such as violence, sexual assault, or grief.
These tools aren’t about censorship—they’re about reader empowerment.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, trauma survivor, or simply a reader who prefers to avoid certain topics, this system exists to help you choose with clarity.
🔵 CSR-1: Suitable for EveryonE
No significant mature content
Light fantasy violence, adventure, or mild peril
No explicit language or sexual content
Themes: friendship, family, overcoming obstacles
Examples: Charlotte’s Web, Anne of Green Gables, Harry Potter (early books)
🟢 CSR-2: Suitable for Most Children, Some Hard Topics
Generally safe for young readers but may include heavier emotional or thematic elements
No explicit sex, graphic violence, or strong profanity
May contain:
Difficult life topics: Death, trauma, grief, moving, divorce
Mildly mature themes: Bullying, harassment, mental health, self-discovery, religious/spiritual exploration
Mild substance references: Underage drinking, drug use in a cautionary context
Examples: Bridge to Terabithia, Wonder, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter (later books)
🟡 CSR-3: Teen & YA – Contains Mature Themes
Not suitable for young children but appropriate for teens and young adults
May contain:
Moderate violence: War, death, physical fights
Romance & Sexuality: Kissing, implied sex, fade-to-black intimacy
Stronger themes: Addiction, mental health struggles, exploitation, language
LGBTQ+ exploration, identity themes
No graphic sexual content or extreme violence
Examples: The Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
🔴 CSR-4: Explicit & Dark Themes – Adult Readers Only
Heavy violence, explicit sex, or deeply disturbing themes
May include:
Graphic violence & torture
Explicit sex scenes (beyond fade-to-black)
Heavy drug use, abuse, exploitation
Psychological horror, extreme mental health themes
Examples: Zodiac Academy, Fifty Shades of Grey, Game of Thrones
⚠️ Additional Content Warnings (CW)
To refine the rating, books may receive specific content warnings for readers who want to avoid certain topics. These are not moral judgments but tools to help readers choose books that suit their comfort level.
⚠ Common Content Warnings:
🩸 Violence/Torture – graphic descriptions, war, abuse
💔 Suicide/Self-Harm – references or depictions of suicide, cutting, eating disorders
🚨 Sexual Assault – rape, coercion, grooming
💊 Addiction/Substance Abuse – alcohol, drugs, prescription abuse
🧠 Mental Health – depression, PTSD, schizophrenia
👩👩👧👦 Domestic Abuse – partner or parental abuse
⚰ Death & Grief – loss of loved ones, processing grief
🛐 Religious Themes – heavy religious/spiritual content
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ Themes – gender identity, sexuality exploration
📢 How This Rating System Works in Reviews
Each book review will include:
1️⃣ A clear CSR rating (CSR-1 to CSR-4)
2️⃣ Relevant Content Warnings (CW) if applicable
3️⃣ A brief summary of why the book received that rating