When Dad Killed Mom, a novel intended for readers twelve and older, caused an uproar in Palm Beach, Florida, after it was included on a book list distributed to middle school kids. Penned by Newberry Award-winning author Julius Lester, the book doesn’t seem wildly inappropriate for the age group.
Still, in discussing the controversy, the Guardian identifies a new publishing trend: self-help books for children aged four to eight. Among them: The House That Crack Built, I Wish Daddy Didn’t Drink So Much, and Something Is Wrong At My House. (Many thanks to Alex for the link.)