Submitted by Certified_Cichlid t3_11behcq in books
Lord of the Flies. One of the most notable examples, just because a work is about children doesn't mean it is for children. The recommended reading age is actually 13 and up, and although a required reading book for English class in many high schools, I read it in grade 9, it isn't intended to be marketed for teenagers either. Because of this misconception, Lord of the Flies is often read to children learning English as a second language because of the whole "boys on an island having an adventure" sort of thing.
Discworld. It is a fantasy series intended for adults, Terry Pratchett was in fact surprised and even unsettled to find out that there are children reading Discworld in the letters he received. While it is an adult book, there isn't anything traumatizing in there. Moreover, there are children's books within Discworld, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents and the Tiffany Aching novels.