Blue Works Rating Blocks

Please note that the color of a Rating Block varies from book to book. Not all Pre-Teen Rating Blocks are purple, not all Teen Rating Blocks are green, etc.

Rating Block definitions:

PRE-TEEN

The book will be most enjoyed by readers up to twelve years of age. Characters won't yet be teens or will be young teens. Younger teen readers (thirteen, fourteen, fifteen) may also enjoy the story but the book is intended for serious readers from nine to twelve.

PRE-TEEN+

With characters and themes that are multi-faceted, the book will be enjoyed by nine to twelve year olds on one level and by teens on another level. Stories are good reads and not issue-oriented. Perfect for mid-range teens.

TEEN

Complex stories, characters and themes fill the book. Books are not intended for younger readers. Teens should be mature readers accustom to books that are not just escapism. Characters grapple with larger issues and adults are often seen in a more realistic light.

TEEN+

The book might normally be found on an adult's book shelf. The realities of the book are the realities of our world. Politics, race, religion, violence, relationships and other major issues are dealt with and seen through the eyes of older teens.

"Blue Works is the young adult division of Windstorm Creative. The Chief Executive Officer of Windstorm is Jennifer DiMarco. Jennifer called me because I've always been pretty good at solving problems by thinking outside what's expected. I had just turned thirteen years old. Both of my parents had worked for Jennifer for more than ten years. I was engaged in a remote internship with Windstorm.

"Jennifer told me she wanted to give the age range on the back cover of every Blue Works book and she wanted it to be flashy so that parents and teachers would find it quickly. The problem was that she wanted the rating to somehow increase the appeal of the book to YA readers at the same time. The Rating Blocks were my solution.

"The Blocks are placed prominently on the back cover. They're artistically pleasing because Buster [Buster Blue, Windstorm's Art Director] can make them whatever color he wants. He can down-play the Block or punch up the Block, depending. The age range is clearly stated in bold capitals and is followed by a humorous and serious list of the book's content. I think YA readers like to know at a glance what's in a book.

"I made my proposal to Jennifer through email. Along with it, I created a tutorial for Blue Works authors so that they could help Buster and Cris [Cris K.A. DiMarco, Windstorm's Senior Editor] write their Block. Jennifer loved the idea and I was glad to be able to help a great company."

--Grace Garcia

Research Assistant and

Concept Solutions Provider

for Windstorm Creative

1999 to 2003