A note to parents and teachers about grade levels. . .
The age at which a child is able to read a particular book is completely dependent on the individual child's reading ability. However, just because a child can read an advanced book does not necessarily mean she should. My mother knew I was a precocious reader, and so encouraged me to read Little Women in 2nd grade. I dutifully read it and thought it was the most boring book in the world. In 7th grade, I rediscovered it and Louisa May Alcott was my favorite author for the rest of Middle School. Because experiencing literature is more than just being able to read the words on the page, the grade levels I suggest here are not meant to denote Reading Level, but rather, they are my personal and subjective recommendations as to when a child may be open to the subject matter in the books. These recommendations are based on my experience as a Librarian speaking to kids about what books they like at different points in their lives.

Books labeled Grade 8 and up may have some sexual content or adult language. I am pretty prudish about giving kids this kind of stuff, and will rarely recommend it for kids younger than 8th grade. But that's just me.