Kids, teens still nuts for book series

Harry is popular, of course, but now he shares ranks with a similarly dark tale of teens fighting to the death; a particularly moody girl; and the mischievous students of a middle school clique.

Several summer reading programs across the Shoals have seen increased numbers of participants this year as more young readers are delving into various series and attending classes, discussion groups and gatherings to make a trip to the library more fun. Kids are even getting into older series such as ?the Baby-sitter?s Club,? which first began publishing in 1986, said Jessica Hill, youth services coordinator at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.

So what else is popular with kids and young adults? Read on:

For Kids

The tales of Megan McDonald?s Judy Moody, who in book one is starting third grade, are huge this year, Hill said, as young readers devour the adventures of the spunky girl the School Library Journal described as having ?a mood for all seasons.?

?This has really been a Judy Moody summer,? Hill said.

The ?Magic Tree House? books by Mary Pope Osborne continue to be a hit, she said, as readers are taken on a new adventure with Jack and his little sister Annie each issue. the books in their tree house transport them to magical destinations, from the Cretaceous period to Medieval times.

Also popular is the ?big Nate? series by Lincoln Pierce, detailing the exploits of extroverted sixth-grader Nate, a boy who has trouble with organization and keeps landing in detention.

And the young ones also adore the ?Geronimo Stilton? series featuring tales from Geronimo, a mouse and editor-in-chief of the Rodent?s Gazette in new Mouse City, Mouse Island.

For Teens

Older readers prefer darker tales.

?the teenagers are really into the ?the Hunger Games? books,? said Lynne Martin, children?s librarian at Sheffield Public Library.

In the dystopian trilogy from author Suzanne Collins, teenager Katniss Everdeen fights for her life in the Hunger Games, a kill-or-be-killed tournament she and 23 other teens ages 11 to 18 across the country of Panem (formerly the United States) are forced to enter.

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library?s summer program for teens roughly ages 11 to 15, Crave, will conduct a discussion party of the series Aug. 2, complete with pizza and prizes, Hill said.

Also a hit with teen girls are the ?Clique? books by Lisi Harrison, about seventh-grader Claire, who tries to fit in at a new school in a new state while battling a group of mean girls.

?Those two (have) been hard to keep on the shelves this summer,? Hill said.

While not a specific series, author Sarah Dessen?s novels (?what Happened to Goodbye,? ?along for the Ride?) of teen drama and romance also are big hits with girls, she said, while James Patterson?s ?Witch & Wizard? series appeals to both sexes.

Sheffield Public Library finished its summer reading program but has an event, ?making Music with Trash,? at 10 a.m. July 26 to tie in with the W.C. Handy Music Festival.

The Florence-Lauderdale Public Library?s (flpl.org) summer reading program has a few weeks to go, as does the Crave program for teens that meets twice a week. This week?s Crave event is sticking with the boy wizard, and attendees at 5 p.m. Thursday will vote for their favorite ?Harry Potter? movie to watch that night, with popcorn.

Sarah Carlson can be reached at 256-740-5722 or .

Kids Related posts:

1. Read books, win prizes at Maple Shade library
2. BlueTales ? JetBlue ? JetBlue and PBS KIDS Launch Soar with Reading Initiative This Summer
3. Kids, Teens Share Views on Adoption in New Book
4. 5 Kids Series Sites
5. Local author presents latest book on June 18 ? St. Helens Chronicle: Out & About

Source: http://www.kids-kingdom.net/kids-teens-still-nuts-for-book-series/

fbi bristol palin tasmanian devil shangri la disneyworld peter gabriel