Main think to cut down on is sex, and violence that is too realistic
Given how adult kids are commercially forced in to being now, I's make the distinction between children's novel and a novel suitable for 'erm young adults.
MacCaffrey, Norton (Breed to come would be good choice), Cherryh (Finity's end?).
All depends on what you want to say really, after all you wouldn't give the Original Grimm's fairy tails to a child would you? You could make the Hobbit alarming without departing from story line as well.