SERIES BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTSJoseph Winters and Nicole Loinaz

Definition“Series books are defined as “a sequence of separate narratives, mostly about the same characters and usually written by one author” or ghostwriters under a pseudonym.

“Progressive series develop a story in sequential installments,while successive series can be read in any order, since each plotis separate and characters don’t age or change.” (p.xii)

 Carpan, Carolyn. Sisters, Schoolgirls, and Sleuths: Girls’ Series Books in America. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2009. Print.

Series In General- Number of books in a series = 3 or more

- Often referred to by character, setting, number, and/or series name

- Continuity (same reading level, length, look) & predictability (main characters do not change; main characters prevail)

- Popular- bestsellers; T.V. or movie tie-in

- Various Fiction Genres/Categories

Brief History- 1860’s- Little Women (Louisa May Alcott); Ragged Dick (Horatio Alger,

Jr.); Elsie Dinsmore (Martha Finley)

- Early 1900’s- Stratemeyer Syndicate- Rover Boys, Tom Swift, Ruth Fielding, Hardy Boys (1927), Nancy Drew (1930)

 

Cart, Michael. Young Adult Literature: From Romance to Realism. Chicago: American Library Association, 2010. Print

Brief History (Continued)1980’s- Romance (Sweet Valley High)1990’s- Horror (Fear Street)2000’s

- Harry Potter (fantasy resurgence)- Gossip Girl (privileged chick lit)- Twilight (supernatural romance)- Hunger Games (dystopian sci-fi)

 

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Cart, Michael. Young Adult Literature: From Romance to Realism. Chicago: American Library Association, 2010. Print

Criticism of Series Books- Poorly written

- Unrealistic characters & plots

- Present false values

- Keeps a child from reading “better” books(p. 21-25)

Deane, Paul. Mirrors of American Culture: Children’s Fiction Series in the Twentieth Century. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1991. Print.

Criticism of Series Books (Continued)“The fact that, after he has mastered the first book, he can sail through several volumes without mental effort, is exactly what makes the reading of series delightful to the child, and here is the greatest danger, for the child slips easily into the rut of easy reading. He soon demands mediocre books which may be read with the least possible exertion and resists any attempts to interest him in those books which lead to a broad, true understanding of great literature.” Bowman, K. Irene. “Why the American Library Association Does Not Endorse Serials for Boys and Girls.” Iowa Library Quarterly, 9, no. 3, p. 42 (July/August 1921). Print. Mitchell, Lillian Herron. “Not to Be Circulated.” Wilson Bulletin for Librarians, 3, p. 580 (April 1929).

Support For Series Books- Social aspect series books bring to the act of reading Reid, L., & R. K. Cline. (1997) “Our Repressed Reading Addictions: Teachers and Young Adult Series Books.” The English Journal, 86, p. 68-72.

 - Role of pleasure reading & fluency in the development of a lifelong reading habit Greenlee, A. A., D.L. Monson, & B. M. Taylor. (1996). “The Lure of Series Books: Does it Affect Appreciation for Recommended Literature?” The Reading Teacher, 50, p. 216-225.

 - Ties between the amount of reading and overall reading achievement Anderson, R. C., P. T. Wilson, & L. G. Fielding. (1988). “Growth in Reading and How Children Spend Their Time Outside of School.” Reading Research Quarterly, 23, p. 285-303.

Award-Winning Series Books- True Believer (Make Lemonade trilogy by Virgina Euwer Wolff)- Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicholson by Louise Rennison)- Tears of a Tiger (Hazelwood High trilogy by Sharon M. Draper)- Wrinkle in Time (by Madeline L’Engle)

Why Include Series Books in the Library?

- “Kids like them. They’re a fast, easy read. Most of them are wonderful escapist entertainment. Modern kids can fit them into their busy lives. - They fill a collection need for which there is an unending, voracious appetite, such as mystery, adventure, horror, science fiction, fantasy, romance, etc. - They allow you to fill that collection need with the least output of time and money. Remember, all you have to do is read the first installment in a new series to determine if it is the one for your young adults, if it fills your collections needs, is well written… - It’s your duty as a professional to be knowledgeable about every literary genre and how it can be used to stimulate the interest or fulfill the needs of any young adult patron, to be able to discuss them knowledgeably with teenage patrons and with their parents.” - Improve circulation

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Makowski, Silk. Serious About Series: Evaluations and Annotations of Teen Fiction in Paperback Series . Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 1998. Print.

Why Series Books Appeal To Teens“Teens are substantial users of public libraries and the primary users of secondary school libraries. Their presence and numbers as well as their developmental characteristics and life circumstances, present a distinct challenge for reference service providers. During adolescence, teens develop the ability to hypothesize and think about the future and foresee consequences for actions.

Library Programing For Series Books- Involve Teens

- listen to their ideas

- let teens predict

- have teens write reviews in print or online

Hastings, Samantha Larsen. 2008. "Stress-Free Programming for Teens: Stop the Stress and Do More by Doing Less." Young Adult Library Services 7, no. 1: 28-29. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text , EBSCOhost (accessed April 5, 2011).

- Have contests when new titles come out

Chen, Kristine. 2010. "Give Them What They Want." School Library Journal 56, no. 10: 29-32. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 5, 2011).

Collection DevelopmentCarry multiple copies of books within a seriesStart with a smaller set of books over a couple of seriesLet readers share their ideas.Reading the same types of books can appeal to “picky” readers.

• Calkins, Lucy McCormick. The Art of Teaching Reading. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., 2001.

 

Events for Series Books

- Midnight release parties - Costume dramas

- Reader’s Theater

- Magic themed events

- Movie nights

YouTube - Teen Twilight Madness @ HBPL

Farrelly, Michael Garrett. "YA Services in a Post-Harry Potter World." Public Libraries 46, no. 5 (September/October 2007): 48-9. OmniFile Full Text Mega, WilsonWeb (accessed April 15, 2011).

Successful Library ProgramsSkokie Public Library

YouTube - Books Alive! The Lightning Thief

Mid-Continent Public Library- Lots of events!- - Book Clubs Discussions

about book characters

Huntley Area Public Library- Some good events for a smaller library.

Resources

Reading Series Fiction: From Arthur Ransome to Gene Kemp. (2000) by Victor Watson

Popular Series Fiction for Middle School and Teen Readers: A Reading and Selection by Rebecca Thomas & Catherine Barr

ResourcesMid-Continent Public Library Juvenile Sequels and Series databaseJuvenile Series and Sequels: Subjects | mymcpl.org - Mid-Continent Public Library

WebsitesSeries/Author Websiteshttp://www.artemisfowl.comhttp://www.thehungergames.co.uk/http://www.bluebloodsbooks.com

ResourcesAwards- Children’s Choice State Awards (Illinois Rebecca Caudill & Abraham Lincoln Awards)- YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Book Reviews: - SLJ (Fiction Series Roundup)- Booklist (Series Fiction in Brief)

Discussion Questions1. What are some other benefits or downsides to series books in your library’s collection?

2. What are some other examples of ways series books have been used in your library or school’s programing?

3. Based upon the series books we have brought in as examples, what’s missing from here that you would want to include in your library collection?

4. Has anyone read any good series books lately?