Now in their second editions, these companion volumes are examples of titles that make our work so much easier. Using standard review sources and bibliographies as well as author, publisher, bookseller, and library websites, the authors have identified nearly 2,200 in-print series' appropriate for K–6 readers and an equal number of series' (including manga, Cine-Manga, and illustrated novels) that will appeal to readers in grades 6–12. Entries are arranged by the series title and contain author, most recent publisher, grade level, notation for availability of accelerated-reader resources, genre, a descriptive three- to five-sentence annotation, and a list of individual titles in the series, arranged by publication date. Following the entries are author, title, and genre/subject indexes as well as appendixes that list books for boys, girls, and reluctant readers. There is little overlap between the two volumes, which are essential as reference and selection tools in all school, public, and academic libraries."
"Reviewed with Popular Series Fiction for Middle School and Teen Readers” —Booklist
“This book provides the evidence for what publishers obviously already know about series books. Kids love them. . . . Give in. There are worse things than the series-addicted life. Bottom line: Recommended.” —Teacher Librarian
“For K–6 librarians and others working with preschool and elementary students, this guide annotates popular series fiction books, listing them in alphabetical order by series title. Annotations describe the series' appeal, important characters, plots, themes, and issues, and list the publisher, grade level, genre, author, accelerated reader resources, related materials, and titles in the series. Books were culled from review sources, reference compilations, online sources, bookselling and series sites, and other library sites, with priority given to new series and books in print. Thomas, an elementary school librarian, and Barr, an editor, include 700 more entries for this edition. Indexes are by title, author, and genre/subject. Appendices list books of special interest to boys, girls, reluctant readers, and students of English as a second language.” —Reference & Research Book News
“This edition contains almost 2,200 entries, about 700 more than the first edition. . . . This reference source is very helpful for collection development, weeding, and readers' advisory.” —School Library Jourbanal
“Since it is difficult to quickly and accurately track down all the titles in a series in their proper order and because books in series' are so deeply enjoyable, this book should be a boon to a whole range of librarians and readers and it is recommended for all public libraries and academic libraries supporting an education curriculum.” —ARBA
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 Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.