The Shelf Checkout App
Scan any book and see what's inside before your reader starts it. AI content analysis across 25 categories, personalized to each kid in your family.
Free to download. Works on any book with an ISBN.
How It Works
From library shelf to informed decision in under a minute
1. Scan or search
Point your camera at the barcode, or search by title when there isn't one. Batch scan a whole stack at the library.
2. AI reads the content
The analysis covers 25 content categories, including violence, language, romance, substance use, and dark themes, each at a specific intensity level.
3. A verdict for your reader
Set each reader's sensitivities once. Every scan comes back green, yellow, or red for that specific kid, with the reasons underneath.
What You Get
Built for the library aisle, the bookstore, and the school reading list
25 Content Flags
Violence, language, romance, and 22 more categories. You control the thresholds for each one.
Per-Reader Verdicts
What fits your 12-year-old might not fit your 8-year-old. Each reader profile gets its own answer.
Instant Results
Analysis in seconds, so it works standing in the library aisle, not just at home.
Any Book
Works on any book with an ISBN. New releases, classics, and everything in between.
Personal Bookshelves
Keep a shelf of what you've scanned, what's approved, and what to revisit later.
Read-Alike Suggestions
AI recommends similar books that match the preferences you've set.
Made for the Moments Books Actually Happen
Your kid hands you a book at the library. The school list arrives with twelve titles you've never heard of. A series your daughter loves takes a darker turn in book four. Those are the moments Shelf Checkout was built for.
Review sites only cover the most popular titles, and books have no official age ratings. Shelf Checkout works on any book with an ISBN, and instead of a one-size rating it personalizes the answer to each reader. See how parents use it at the library and bookstore, or how it fits the question "is this book appropriate for my kid?"
Want to compare first? See how Shelf Checkout compares to Common Sense Media and other resources.
App Questions
Is the app free?
Yes, free to download on both platforms. A subscription unlocks unlimited scans, all 25 content categories, and personalized reader profiles. Current pricing is in the app, with no annual commitment.
Is it on Android?
Yes. Download for iPhone on the App Store or for Android on Google Play.
How does it analyze books?
Scan a barcode or search by title, and the AI analyzes content across 25 categories, reporting what is present and at what intensity. Curious what that looks like? Try the book content checker walkthrough.
Does it give books an age rating?
No. Books have no official rating system, and readers of the same age differ. Shelf Checkout describes what is actually in a book and gives a verdict personalized to your reader's sensitivity settings. That nuance is the whole point.
Download Shelf Checkout
Free on iPhone and Android. Scan a book and see what's inside.