Popular Series Fiction for K-6 Readers: A Reading and Selection Guide (Children's and Young Adult Literature Reference) [Hardcover]

Rebecca L. Thomas (Author), Catherine Barr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591582032 | ISBN-13: 978-1591582038 | Publication Date: December 30, 2004

Young readers enjoy the delightfully consistent cast of characters and reliable story lines of series fiction. Because of their popularity and appeal, books in series are great vehicles for fostering literacy among all types of readers, including ABE and ESL students. In addition, readers of series fiction are almost always adamant about reading every title in the series-in series order. Yet traditional information sources on children's and YA literature include very little about series fiction. It is rarely reviewed or catalogued, so objective information about the titles is hard to come by. And finding out the proper order of titles in series can also be a challenge. So, while series fiction is in high demand with young readers, librarians often have difficulty managing this large and growing body of literature. This guide, geared to elementary readers, will be a rich resource and time-saver for librarians who work with children. It introduces users to the best and most popular fiction series of today, covering approximately 1,200 series appropriate for elementary readers. For each series, the authors provide an annotation that describes the series' appeal and lists characters, and location. The original publisher of the series is given, along with the range of dates over which the series was published, a grade level range, and genre. Annotations will also indicate series and titles that are accepted by some of the popular electronic reading programs (e.g., Accelerated Reading, Reading First). A numbered list of titles in the series follows. Grades K-6.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Because readers have such a vast array of books from which to choose, and the fact that once into a series kids want to read all of the titles available, this volume will be a great help. It can sort out Mary Kate and Ashley titles from the Bobbsey Twins and the kids from the Polk Street School from the adventuring kids of the Bailey School. The scope and content are very broad as the authors have searched reviewing sources, compilations such as Children's Catalog, online sources including publisher and author Web sites, bookselling sites, and series sites maintained by several libraries. Those series selected are content-based groupings of books with a consistent theme, setting, or group of characters, and three or more titles to their name. Priority was given to newer series but old favorites are also included. Arranged alphabetically by series name, each entry includes author, publisher, date of publication, grade level, genre, an annotation, and a list of the titles. Where applicable, the availability of Accelerated Reader Resources is noted. Appendixes include "Books for Boys," "Books for Girls," "Books for Reluctant Readers/ESL Students," and "Developing Series." This is a useful resource, arranged in a most functional way, and any library serving children could well make use of it.–Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
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Review

?Because readers have such a vast array of books from which to choose, and the fact that once into a series kids want to read all of the titles available, this volume will be a great help....This is a useful resource, arranged in a most functional way, and any library serving children could well make use of it.?-School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 816 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited (December 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591582032
• ISBN-13: 978-1591582038
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,559,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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