The Living Schoolbook

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged. OK, a REALLY long while. But the tenure process, new homeownership, coaching high school hockey, and the 4:45pm EST sunset has been sapping every last ounce of my energy.

I have a bunch of ideas for future blog posts, I’ll eventually get to them. I’ll get there, if you’ll hang in there with me….a tough thing to do in an on-demand world.

I was compelled to blog after reading a Forbes magazine op-ed piece on the best metro areas to educate your child. The number 3 factor in their consideration was the popularity of local public libraries. The inclusion of library usage into the author’s study is a sign of the value and virtue of libraries, especially in the public sector.  But, we also must never neglect the value of libraries in school settings either.

Get a Cash Advance

Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. Subscribe to the Libraryland feed!! Thanks to Jeff Utecht & Doug Johnson for posting the link to this resource.

Just like the title of this post says, I’m going to recommend popular series books based on what I’ve learned from my library. For those of you that are librarians, you probably already know how important it is to have many diversified series’ books in your collection. Series books are critical for student motivation to read as well as circulation. Like Stephen Krashen points out in “The Power of Reading”, its not how hard the reading is, its how much they (your students) do. Volume is the only factor to reading attainment.

With Krashen’s quote in mind, here are a few good series that you need to have in your library.

Geronimo Stilton: Adventures about a mild-mannered mouse who works as a journalist for a fictional newspaper. Geronimo is always finding himself smack dab in the middle of a risky and always dramatic situation. Colorful words and accompanying illustrations on every page make this a perfect series for students in grades 2-5. Currently there are 33 books in the series.

Bone by Jeff Smith: Half Casper the Ghost, half Snoopy, Bone is a graphic novel series that motivates boys to read like crazy. A must have, especially for boys in grades 3-6. Currently there are 6 books in the series.

Katie Kazoo by Nancy Krulik: Katie is a fourth grader who wishes she could become anyone else but herself. Her wish comes true, and every book in the installment trouble ensues when Katie turns into a person or animal. Highly recommended for boys and girls in grades 2-4.

Garfield by Jim Davis: Probably the original graphic novel series. Kids still love Garfield. My guess is that students first get exposed to Garfield through their local newspapers comic section. Garfield flies out of my library faster than any other series. Recommended for boys and girls grades 2-6.

Captain Underpants and Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey: Potty humor and super heros always sell well with adolescent boys. If you don’t mind booger and diaper jokes, these two series always command young boys’ attention. Personally, as long as its OK with the parents, I’m all for students reading these risque types of books. Approximately 7-8 books in each series.

Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne: Jack and his younger sister Annie travel to historic places using a magic treehouse. A tremendously popular series. Teachers often tie the Magic Treehouse series into classroom instruction. Highly Recommended for students in grades 1-4. Currently there are 38 books in the series.

Matt Christopher (Various Sports): The quality of writing leaves a little bit to be desired, but young boys gravitate towards these type of books because of their interest in athletics. Recommended for boys in grades 2-6.

Junie B. Jones- A classic. Students as early as first grade are exposed to this series and often start reading chapter books because of Junie B. Approximately 20 books in the series. Highly recommended for students in grades 1-4.

Animal Ark by Ben Baglio: You can never go wrong having lots and lots of animal books in your collection. Animal Ark is a series where a girl named Mandy, the daughter of a local veterinarian finds animals in trouble and attempts to help them with the assistance of her friends. Recommended for students in grades 3-6.

Shadow Children by Margaret Peterson Haddix: A futuristic, an overpopulated earth and government control are all part of the world that effects the children that are the main characters in the books. Recommended for students in grades 4-7.

Well, the first month of school was a real bear. It always is. I don’t know why I always expect it to be any different.

My collection has substantially improved since I took over in 2005. A collection development plan and an $8000 per year book budget can expedite the process. But, there is no substitution for having good books in your collection. And I don’t mean good books that just adults like (see Caldecott winners), I’m talking about the titles that motivate young boys and girls to read.

In September the most popular book in my library was Dogs Rule! by Daniel Kirk. The book contains 22 hilarious poems from a canines perspective. Accompanying the poems are full color, lively illustrations and a CD with all of the poems set to music. The beauty of Dogs Rule, is that its charm and humor doesn’t fit into one age group. It can be enjoyed just as much by five-year olds as it can be by fifty-year olds. When I booktalked it this past week, I had 1st graders rocking out in the story corner….such uninhibited enthusiasm.

Next time you’re putting together an order, make sure Dogs Rule! is included.