Books for children aged 6 up to teens?

Question

I have been asked to order books for a library which is run totally by volunteers (ie we don't have any expert librarians!) and I have been given the task of ordering for children in two age groups - 6-10 and 11 upwards. Although I know of many great childrens authors, I would be really grateful if any of you could list your favourite books or authors for children in these categories as we have limited funds, and I want to order the best I can.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I am a junior school librarian. There are definitely two different categories of children's fiction. The good literature - and the one's the children will borrow most. I went to a local bookstore and asked them which were those that the children asked to be bought for them. That helped me to get up-to-date.



However, here are some suggestions:



Daisy Meadows: the "Rainbow Magic" series of fairy books. Easy reading for little girls.

Dav Pilkey: Captain Underpants books, and Ricky RIcotta books

Francesca Simon: Horrid Henry books

Jeremy Strong: Viking at School, Hundred Mile an Hour Dog, and many more

Roald Dahl books

Lucy Daniels: Animal Ark series, and little Animal Ark

Anholt and Robbins: quirky retelling of fairy stories with lots of illustrations

Nick Butterworth: Percy the Park Keeper stories



These bridge the gap to the 11 plus age group

J K Rowling: Harry Potter books

Eoin Colfer: Artemis Fowl books

Anthony Horowitz: Alex Rider books and Power of Five books (for older readers)

Chris d'Lacey: The Fire Within

C S Lewis: Narnia books

Michael Morpurgo: vast selection

Jacqueline Wilson: Best Friends, Dare Game, Tracey Beaker, etc, etc

Caroline Lawrence: Roman mysteries

Garth Nix: Mister Monday, Grim Tuesday, etc, etc



There are so many ..

If you want advice about any specific ones you are thinking of, please contact me.

Answer 2

Ages 6-10

The Keeping Quilt Polacco, Patricia

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Commander Toad by Jane Yolen (4 books)

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

CinderEdna by Ellen Jackson

Oliver Button Is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola

Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola



Age 11 up

Sounder by William Armstrong

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Bruce Coville writes awesome books



1. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher (1991)

2. Jennifer Murdley's Toad (1992)

3. Goblins in the Castle (1992)

4. The Skull of Truth (1997)

Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull (2003)

5. Juliet Dove, Queen of Love (2003)







Chamber of Horrors

1. Amulet of Doom (1985)

2. Spirits and Spells (1985)





A.I. Gang

1. Operation Sherlock (1986)

3. Robot Trouble (1986)

4. Forever Begins Tomorrow (1986)

Answer 3

I am not sure of the current books but I suggest you find book series for example at one time Nancy Drew and later the Olsen Twins had book about adventures.It seem to me that books that include current actors or stars are something this age group relates to.Did you ask the teachers who teach the students for their suggestions.I feel by asking the teachers you will better books in which most students will utilize.

Asking others what their favorite books were may not be what the children are interested in today .Your best source is the teachers in your area.

Answer 4

Teenagers



Mystborn: Brandon Sanderson

Elantris: Brandon Sanderson (recommended by Orson Scott Card)

Anything by Orson Scott Card.

I enjoyed the Joy Luck Club when I was a junior in HS.

Eragon and its sequal Eldest: Christopher Paolini

The Lord of the Rings Series: JRR Tolkien

The Chronicles of Narnia: C.S. Lewis



Children:

Piggies: Audrey and Don Wood

Attack of the Fifty Foot Teacher: Lisa Passen

All of Roald Dahl's children's books.



There are a lot of kids books that I would suggest about specific things. Books on tractors and cars, also any of the I spy type of book is great for kids.

Answer 5

6 - 10:

Nancy Drew Notebooks

Cam Jansen

Magic Treehouse

Bailey School Kids

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

R.L Stine (author of horror books)

Harry Potter

Nate the Great

Charlotte's Web

Stuart Little



11 and up:

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants(Anne Brashares)

maximum Ride (James Patterson)

Nancy Drew Classic Yellow books (Carolyn Keene)

The Outsiders (I think the author is S.E. Hinton)

October Sky (Homer Hickam)

nonfiction books on various topics (snow leopards, arts and crafts, cooking, biographies)

Answer 6

I guess you really need a wide variety of books that are age appropriate for each age group. At the age of six they need books that are easy to read and have great illustrations. An 8 yr old could have books that have more words and less illustrations. A child of 10 usually like reading books, that have little or no illustrations, and are more beleiveable, like the Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, Harry Potter, Saddle Club etc.

Some books I can think of that my children love and read time and time again would be Allison Lester an Australian Author who has a great story line and fantastic illustrations. Example of her books are Magic Beach, Yikes, Imagine and for the older children The Quicksand Pony.

Pamela Allen is another one that springs to mind again the illustrations are fantastic in her books as well.

Dr Suess books are always a good one to have on your shelves, Mem Fox, and exceptional author who captures the minds of the children. Shirley Barber has fairy books and for the young girl is another good one.

Now on a broad range of books, most libarys have Educational books, suchas childrens encyclopedias, dictionaries, childrens atlas's, books about emotions, where did I come from, science etc

Scholastic books have a huge variety of inexpensive books from childrens books to more educational books.

DK(DorlingKindersley) have again a large varitey of books.

They have a website. www.dk.com. But I think they are more costly.

Gould League books are educational books that are really good for the younger children, example would be australian guide to Whales and Dolphins, a guide to seashores etc.

I could go on forever, but I wont. Why not check out other libaries that are close to your area and ask them for some advise. I would even try a sending out a survey to the community and get their feedback on what their children like.

I feel you also would need to find out what religions, and cultures are in your area also, as you really want to touch on there upbringing and beleifs also.

Our Local libary that is run by our shire are usually volunteers, and every year they sell books so that they can update their stock. The volunteers are called friends of the Libary and if it wasnt for them, Our libary wouldnt be as good as it is.

Oh, also try not to just have books, try having videos or DVD's etc.

FYI, I have 3 children that love reading and they are 2,6,10 and I also do daycare. We also use our local library frequently as my books have been well used.

Hope this helps with some ideas and good luck . Its good to see people out there who are passionate about our community libraries.

Answer 7

Anything by Geronimo Stilton is largely popular. The Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, Katie Kazoo books, The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, The Redwall series by Brian Jacques, The Amazing Days of Abbie Hayes series, The Hobbit by Tolkien, and basically anything that's been granted the Newberry Medal is good for that age.

Answer 8

The Vermont Department of Libraries has some bibliographies that they've compiled for "Bare Bones" children's collections. These are books deemed as best, most popular, and enduring children's stories. You'll find categories for picture books, junior fiction, and young adult fiction. There are also non-fiction selections, but those usually go out of print so quickly that it may be difficult to order many of the specific books on those lists.



Have a look! http://dol.state.vt.us/gopher_root5/libraries/CBEC_BIBLIO_ETC.BAK



I would also recommend selecting from the Newbery Award and Honor Book lists: http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/2007MediaAwardWinners.htm



The ALA Best Books for Young Adults: http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/bestbooksya/bestbooksyoung.htm



The ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/quickpicks/quickpicksreluctant.htm

Answer 9

A series of unfortunate events - lemony snicket



there are 13 books in the series and are Ideal for children aged 11 and over



although younger, confident readers may be interested in them



hope this helps x

Answer 10

I recommend the following authors for 6-12's:



R.L.Stine

Roald Dahl

Paul Jennings

H.I. Larry (Zac Powers character)

Morris Gleitzmann

Elizabeth Honey

J.K. Rowling

"Simon Romantic comedies" - for pre-teens and young teen girls



Other great ideas can be sources from using the listmania search at Amazon.com - you can see what teenagers and pre-teens who are into reading list as their favourites and "must reads"

Anne Brachares (sisterhood of the travelling pants series)

Answer 11

you will desire to study Lisa J Smith's works. they're fairly, reaaaaaallllly fantastic. evening international secret Vampire Daughters of Darkness Spellbinder/Enchantress dark Angel the chosen Soulmate Huntress Black first mild Witchlight unusual destiny (not yet released) The Vampire Diaries The Awakening The conflict The Fury dark Reunion The return: dusk The return: Shadow Souls (not yet released) The return: evening (not yet released) the secret Circle The Initiation The Captive the skill The Forbidden game The Hunter The Chase The Kill dark Visions The unusual skill The Possessed the enthusiasm short memories Blood Will tell Thicker Than Water Brionwy's Lullaby Ash & Mary-Lynnette: people who desire fire Jez and Morgead's evening Out (All of those are with the aid of Lisa J Smith.)

Answer 12

if you want expert advice, talk to your local librarian. you can also find information at book review sites. There is a book called Book Lust that has a great list of books for children and teens. Check out the ala (american library association) for more information.

Answer 13

Well, if you are looking for series, i would suggest Harry Potter, Captain Underpants, Nancy Drew, Goosebumps, Fear Street, and maybe some other series from R.L.Stine. If you are looking for single books i don't really have any idea but good luck finding something you think is appropriate

Answer 14

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tipps. Michael Morpurgo

A fantastic read -a story about a child's expereinces in WW2 .

Has a really good twist at the end.

Answer 15

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Answer 16

I would recommend anything by Roald Dahl, The Demon Headmaster by Gillian Cross, the Mrs Pepperpot books by Alf Proysen, and the Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy.

Answer 17

The Flat Stanley series by Jeff Brown is big with that crowd.

Charlotte's Web by EB White

Doctor Seuss - all

Shel Silverstein - all

Answer 18

When I was in primary school, my favourite book was "The Silver Sword", don't remember who wrote it but it was fabulous, also "I Am David". I also loved anything by Enid Blyton, Even though all the punters loved home made lemonade, you still enjoyed a wee trip into the land of fantasy. Good luck.

Answer 19

My daughter is 8 and loves these books! I can't say she can read them by herself, but she will soon...I read them out loud to her:



Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett

How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng (our favorite)

Witches Bridge (I don't know the author)

Answer 20

there is a wonderful book that i fell in love with.my grandaughter got it from the school library. she was in second grade but it was a 3rd grade book. it is called opossomundus. and of course is about a possum adopted by people but he is like a child and can speak and makes alot of funny mistakes. if you can get your hands on that it is great. i do not remember the author. if you get it too,read it for yourself. it is very cute and funny. you will love it.so will the children.

Answer 21

By 10, I was addicted to Stephen King books. However, if you choose to order, you may want to require parental consent before some check out's... (Gerald's Game has very adult content....the handcuffs on the bedpost on the front cover give it away!) Harry Potter series would be good.

Answer 22

Obviously you have to include J K Rowling's Harry Potter!

Apart from that I don't really know, I used to read Enid Blyton's famous 5 when I was a kid but it's a bit outdated these days and probably not even politically correct!

Answer 23

At the risk of being controversial, may I suggest you try to make your choices as socially and ethnically inclusive as possible? i.e. include books by and about various cultures and races, even written in languages other than English if you have local non-English speaking communities.



Also please try to include some non-stereotypical picture books for small children, showing both men and women playing various roles .

Answer 24

all of the jacqueline wilson books, i used to read them all the time as a kid and still did up until about 14, theyre really good for everyone.

Answer 25

Chronicles of Narnia, my granddaughter is 6 and she loves these books

Answer 26

Captin underpants series

Answer 27

for the yonger group u should get stargirl by jerry spinelli, ruby holler by sharon creech

for the older group my fav book is define "normal" by julie anne peters

Answer 28

Mr.Nice - Howard Marks

Answer 29

well..........

fr 6-10 may i sggest roald dahl n enid blyton

Answer 30

harry potter.

Answer 31

BFG!!!! amazing!!