Your ReadSafe Rating Is Ready — Now Seal the Deal with Official Labels!

You’ve taken the crucial step by getting your book rated with ReadSafe—congratulations. But your work isn’t done yet. To fully leverage that rating and protect your printed books, you need the official ReadSafe Ratings labels.

Why add the ReadSafe label to your printed books?

• Make Your Rating Visible and Official: A digital rating is great, but a physical label on your book’s cover or spine makes it clear to readers, booksellers, and librarians exactly what they’re getting—no guesswork, no surprises.

• Boost Reader Confidence and Sales: Readers want transparency. Displaying the ReadSafe label helps them make informed choices quickly, increasing the likelihood they’ll pick up your book without hesitation.

• Prevent Confusion and Censorship Challenges: Without the label, your rating can get lost in translation. The label is your frontline defense against misunderstandings and potential censorship in stores and libraries.

• Easy to Apply, Immediate Impact: These durable, professional-grade labels are designed for smooth application and long-lasting visibility. They seamlessly update your existing print copies without the hassle of reprinting.

• Show You’re a Pro Who Cares: Displaying the label highlights your commitment to honesty, reader respect, and industry best practices—a strong selling point in today’s sensitive market.

Don’t leave your hard work vulnerable. If you’ve earned your ReadSafe Rating, now it’s time to close the loop by adding the label to your books. It’s a small investment that delivers big protection, professionalism, and peace of mind.

Order your official ReadSafe Ratings labels today and keep your books—and your author career—secure, transparent, and reader-friendly.

You will receive 80 labels per sheet, with a minimum 3 sheet order of $10 per title, includes shipping.

Click here to Order

OVERVIEW: SB13 + SB412 COMBINED - Effective Sept 1, 2025

COMBINED IMPACT ON TEXAS AUTHORS

1. Risk of Book Bans Expanding Beyond Schools

SB13 explicitly targets school library materials, while SB412 modifies the criminal code—so taken together:

• Materials deemed “harmful to minors,” “indecent,” or “profane” could be banned, restricted, or criminalized even if they have literary, artistic, or social value.
• SB13’s vague definitions allow local school boards and parent advisory councils to restrict materials broadly—including references to LGBTQ+ identities, sexual education, race, abuse, or trauma.
• SB412’s removal of educational defenses means that authors, publishers, and distributors could face criminal prosecution if minors access such materials—regardless of merit.

2. The End of Literary and Educational Defenses

Under SB412:

It is no longer a defense to say the material had educational, psychological, or literary merit if accused of being harmful or obscene.

This includes:

• Health and sex education books
• LGBTQ+ themed stories
• YA novels that include realistic depictions of trauma, gender, or identity
• Memoirs or fiction with racial justice, abuse recovery, or coming-of-age themes

Under SB13:

These same books can now be banned, tracked, or hidden via:

• Parental opt-out lists
• Local advisory council challenges
• New “transparency” rules requiring real-time monitoring of what kids check out

Together, the two bills make it easier to ban books and prosecute their creators.

3. Widened Definitions of “Harmful,” “Indecent,” and “Profane”

These vague terms, used heavily in SB13, create legal gray areas:

• “Indecent content” = “portrays sexual or excretory organs or activities in a patently offensive way”
• “Profane content” = “grossly offensive language that is a public nuisance”

These subjective standards can be used to:

• Challenge classic literature (Catcher in the Rye, The Color Purple)
• Target books for having LGBTQ+ characters or storylines
• Ban books even for one scene, a QR code, or language used in context

IMPLICATIONS FOR TEXAS AUTHORS

 IS THIS MODEL SPREADING TO OTHER STATES?

Yes, and both SB13 and SB412-style bills are being introduced nationwide, often together or in tandem:

States with SB13/SB412–style legislation:

• Indiana (HB1447) – Criminalizes librarians and mandates parental oversight of school library catalogs.
• Idaho (HB710) – Allows lawsuits against libraries over allegedly harmful content.
• Florida – Has already removed thousands of books under vague “harmful to minors” rules and added QR code bans like in SB13.
• Arkansas (Act 372) – Criminalized librarians over book content until partially struck down.
• Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, Alabama, and Arizona – All have active or passed legislation narrowing educational exemptions and increasing censorship under “harmful to minors” standards.
• Georgia and Louisiana – Both have passed or proposed laws matching SB13’s structure of advisory boards, transparency systems, and parental control over school materials.

CONCLUSION

Texas has now created one of the most aggressive anti-literature legal frameworks in the nation through the combination of SB13 and SB412.

• SB13 weaponizes local school systems, empowering parents and politically influenced advisory boards to ban books based on vague moral standards.
• SB412 changes the criminal law, removing protections for authors, educators, and librarians—even if their content serves a public good.

Together, they will:

• Lead to a surge in book bans
• Criminalize authors and publishers for content accessible by minors
• Chill creative expression, especially for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices
• Spread to other states, as we are already seeing

NEXT STEPS FOR TEXAS AUTHORS

1. Use Rating Programs Like ReadSafe – Help classify your content before challenges arise.
2. Label Books with Age Ranges and Content Advisories – Protects your work and gives context.
3. Avoid Direct School Distribution Without Vetting – Consider age verification or opt-in methods.
4. Track Advisory Boards and Library Policies – Get involved and help advocate for balance.
5. Join Author Advocacy Groups – Such as PEN America, NCAC, and the Texas Authors Institute of History.

Would you like a public-facing one-pager or author toolkit summarizing this threat and what authors can do to protect themselves?

Click on the one you select to pay the fee and to begin the process.

Our Mission

At ReadSafe Ratings, our mission is to empower authors, librarians, and readers with transparent, voluntary book content ratings.

We believe in preserving the integrity of books and upholding every author’s right to be heard—while helping parents and communities make informed choices.

We created this program in response to new threats like Texas SB13 and SB412, which make it alarmingly easy for any book to be challenged and removed based on a single complaint. Our ratings provide clear, neutral information—not censorship—so that books stay on the shelves and in the hands of readers.

Why Ratings Matter

The idea of book ratings might seem new, but it’s already a trusted practice in music, movies, and video games.
For books, a voluntary, author-led rating system does three essential things:

• Protects authors by giving them a proactive tool to address vague or arbitrary complaints.

• Supports librarians and booksellers in navigating new laws and community pressures with confidence.

• Empowers readers—including parents and teachers—to choose books that fit their needs, without restricting creativity.

Research shows that book bans disproportionately impact marginalized authors and limit access for everyone. Our system gives authors and librarians a way to push back against censorship while fostering open dialogue.

How It Works (Expanded)

Step 1: Submit Your Book
Authors submit their book manuscript, choose a rating package (Basic, Standard, or Premium), and provide basic book details.

Step 2: Neutral Content Review
Our reviewers assess the book’s content based on these clear, expanded rating definitions:

• C (Children’s Books): For children under 6—safe, positive content only.

• G (General Audiences): All ages—no strong language, violence, or adult themes.

• PG (Parental Guidance Suggested): Mild language or thematic elements—parental guidance recommended.

• PG-13 (Teen Readers): Moderate violence or sexual references—ages 13+.

• R (Mature Readers): Strong language, intense violence, explicit scenes—ages 17+.

• NC-17 (Adults Only): Explicit content or graphic violence—adults only.

• Additional Labels: EL, V, SC, DA, ST—added for even clearer context.

Step 3: Share Your Rating
Authors receive:

• Their book’s assigned rating and content warnings.

• A digital badge to promote their rating online.

• High-quality stickers (optional) to add to their book for retailers, schools, or events.

• Inclusion in the ReadSafeRatings Directory—a trusted resource for libraries, schools, and communities.

Step 4: Build Community Support
By participating, authors show that they’re responsible stewards of their stories and committed to readers’ freedom of choice.

We encourage authors and librarians to meet locally or virtually to discuss the program, build support, and advocate for creative freedom.

Join the Movement

We’re stronger together.

By joining ReadSafeRatings, you’re helping to protect your book, your voice, and the freedom of readers everywhere. Let’s stand united against censorship—and ensure every story has the chance to be heard.

Ready to get involved?

[Submit Your Book Today]

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Empowering Readers & Authors through Transparency

A voluntary, author-led book content rating system that informs readers and protects the creative voices of authors—while standing up to book bans and censorship.

Submit Your Book for Rating

Learn More About the Program

What is ReadSafeRatings?

ReadSafeRatings is a community-driven book content rating system created by the Texas Authors Museum & Institute of History, Inc.

Modeled after trusted systems in music and film, it helps authors protect their work, librarians navigate new laws and challenges, and readers make informed choices.

It’s about transparency and choice—not censorship.

Key Benefits

For Authors:

• Build trust with readers, libraries, and retailers.
• Protect your book from arbitrary complaints and challenges.
• Showcase your work with confidence and clarity.

For Librarians & Schools:

• Clear, consistent ratings to guide your acquisitions.
• Reduce confusion or fear around new book ban laws.
• Support access to a diverse range of voices.
• Access a Database of Books that have been reviewed.

For Communities:

• Encourage open dialogue and informed decisions.
• Foster lifelong reading by giving parents and readers clear guidance—without restricting creativity.

How It Works (3 Steps)

1 - Submit your book.
Authors provide their book file, basic details, and choose a rating package.

2 - Receive your rating.
A neutral, fair review assigns your book a rating (C, G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) and any additional content labels.

3 - Share it proudly.
Use digital badges and high-quality stickers to showcase your rating and build trust with readers and librarians.

Educational Highlight: “C” Rating for Children’s Books

New! We’ve added a “C” rating to specifically cover picture books and early readers for children under 6 years old.
This ensures the youngest readers have access to safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate content.

Submit Your Book Today

Join the movement to protect your voice, your book, and your readers.

Submit your book for a ReadSafeRatings review today and be part of the growing community of authors and librarians standing together for transparency and creative freedom.

Learn how to properly Submit Your Book for Rating