CCBC-Net Archives
[CCBC-Net] Formula Series
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Steward, Celeste <csteward>
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 09:24:24 -0800
Hi Tracy...Your last comment raises an interesting issue for booksellers and children's librarians. This is also an issue for collection development librarians.:
"In particular I am struck in this conversation about how different each library is on series. Could it be that we consciously/unconsciously promote them?"
As a children's librarian, I tend to recommend books I've read and enjoyed recently rather than the older classics such as Betsy Tacy, All-of a Kind Family, Nancy Drew (though I did enjoy these myself as a child)...I also try to focus on the kid in front of me who comes from an entirely different generation than I did, one based heavily on visuals: TV, movies, computer games.
Some of the covers on the older books may seem dated (or not), depending on the child. More often than not, the kids I've dealt with want the attractive covers with snappy, clever titles so I tend to promote these. I figure kids are accustomed to Scholastic book fairs and the savvy marketing in bookstores and on TV, so many enter the library with their own ideas and tastes.
Every once in awhile, there's an inquisitive, voracious reader who's willing to brave the older series titles. It's fun to feed their "habit."
Do I think we promote our own view of what is a quality series when doing reader's advisory? Absolutely...but that may not be a bad thing at all.
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu]On Behalf Of Tracy L. Hubbard Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 5:08 PM To: Mary Ann Gilpatrick; CCBC-Net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Formula Series
I struggle with series fiction. Yes, I read Nancy Drew and Betsy Tacy Tib (showing my age!), I loved learning more and more about the characters. I think I could say I was insatiable to know what else was going to happen to these characters, and I think the same could be said to be true about today's series. Yet as an elementary school librarian I want the 5 to 10 books my students read be really good ones. I suppose by *good* I mean less formula, more originality. I have used series fiction (notably the Droon series with my sons, and it can drive me crazy how stilted they can become after the second or third one.)
The previous librarian bought all of the series and my understanding is that they moved off the shelves very fast. I have not pushed them, instead started to bring up authors that have perhaps a little less formula, such as Beverly Cleary, Dan Gutman, Bruce Coville, and so these are moving off the shelves.
In particular I am struck in this conversation about how different each library is on series. Could it be that we consciously/unconsciously promote them?
Tracy Hubbard tlhubbar at uiuc.edu
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Mon 28 Nov 2005 11:24:24 AM CST
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 09:24:24 -0800
Hi Tracy...Your last comment raises an interesting issue for booksellers and children's librarians. This is also an issue for collection development librarians.:
"In particular I am struck in this conversation about how different each library is on series. Could it be that we consciously/unconsciously promote them?"
As a children's librarian, I tend to recommend books I've read and enjoyed recently rather than the older classics such as Betsy Tacy, All-of a Kind Family, Nancy Drew (though I did enjoy these myself as a child)...I also try to focus on the kid in front of me who comes from an entirely different generation than I did, one based heavily on visuals: TV, movies, computer games.
Some of the covers on the older books may seem dated (or not), depending on the child. More often than not, the kids I've dealt with want the attractive covers with snappy, clever titles so I tend to promote these. I figure kids are accustomed to Scholastic book fairs and the savvy marketing in bookstores and on TV, so many enter the library with their own ideas and tastes.
Every once in awhile, there's an inquisitive, voracious reader who's willing to brave the older series titles. It's fun to feed their "habit."
Do I think we promote our own view of what is a quality series when doing reader's advisory? Absolutely...but that may not be a bad thing at all.
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu]On Behalf Of Tracy L. Hubbard Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 5:08 PM To: Mary Ann Gilpatrick; CCBC-Net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu Subject: Re: [CCBC-Net] Formula Series
I struggle with series fiction. Yes, I read Nancy Drew and Betsy Tacy Tib (showing my age!), I loved learning more and more about the characters. I think I could say I was insatiable to know what else was going to happen to these characters, and I think the same could be said to be true about today's series. Yet as an elementary school librarian I want the 5 to 10 books my students read be really good ones. I suppose by *good* I mean less formula, more originality. I have used series fiction (notably the Droon series with my sons, and it can drive me crazy how stilted they can become after the second or third one.)
The previous librarian bought all of the series and my understanding is that they moved off the shelves very fast. I have not pushed them, instead started to bring up authors that have perhaps a little less formula, such as Beverly Cleary, Dan Gutman, Bruce Coville, and so these are moving off the shelves.
In particular I am struck in this conversation about how different each library is on series. Could it be that we consciously/unconsciously promote them?
Tracy Hubbard tlhubbar at uiuc.edu
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Mon 28 Nov 2005 11:24:24 AM CST
