Dear Matt,

I'm writing b/c I wanted to let you know that I appreciate what you doing. I\'ve seen your review of my novel on ivillage & Common Sense, so I googled you to see if I could find a way to write you & say thank you.

As a mom who co-reads with my kids, I have been fortunate in that I know the content of their books; however, as a writer, I'm in new territory. I am writing for a very particular audience--older teens. I don't want to limit my content for those readers, but I see younger readers pick up my book and I want to snatch it from their hands. I've suggested at events that a child was too young; I've posted my age recommendation on my FAQ. My publisher put a 12+ reading note on it (which is a bit younger than I'd recommend); still, I meet readers who are much younger. I think I'm a little old-fashioned on this: I want middle grade readers to read middle-grade books.

Seeing your review pleased me. You highlighed all the reasons that I don't feel it's appropriate for under-13 (and sometimes not for 13/14 year olds, depending on their experiences & situation). I wrote for teenagers, not middle-grade readers. My own daughter is quite a mature young lady, but she had to wait until she was 13 to read it (and until 14 to read the next novel); my 9 year old, of course, hasn't read either.

So, while there are a plethora of reviews out there, yours was the first that highlighted what I felt as mom and a writer. (I sent my editor a gleeful letter when I saw it.)

Thank you for doing what you do.

With regards,

Melissa