2010’s Top Books For Students From Young To Young Adult

By Emily Ashbolt

Margaret Brown, young adult librarian at C.H. Booth Library, shared some of the most checked-out books of 2010 with The Bee recently.

This year, interesting enough, many of these were previously published books that had a sudden spurt of interest. Also, Ms Brown saw that many of the books that had been impossible to keep on the shelves in the past year were actually chains of novels.

“Many of the most checked-out books are ones that are follow-ups to already published novels,” Ms Brown explained.

The great thing about all these books is that they appeal to both boys and girls of a ride variety of ages and interests, according to Ms Brown. The following are the most checked-out books for young adults, according to Ms Brown.

The Hunger Games Series

by Susan Collins

The explosive success of this series (by a Newtown resident) almost seemed to defy all description. Featuring action, adventure, and romance that captivates boys and girls from intermediate to college age, these epic stories brought their author acclaim ranging from being in Time’s Top 100 to being interviewed by popular culture magazine Entertainment Weekly. They have also, according to Ms Brown, kick-started a literary movement.

“They have inspired a lot of spin-offs,” she said. “The discuss dystopian societies, which have really come back as a key feature of novels since The Hunger Games were published.”

The Harry Potter Series

by J. K Rowling

They may be older, said Ms Brown, but that did not stop the Harry Potter books from “constantly being in circulation.” With the release of the first part of the final movie in November boosting interest, the boy wizard continued to enchant all ages in 2010, coming in and out of the library in a manner more dizzying than “floo powder.”

The Maximum Ride Series

by James Patterson

More commonly known for his adult novels, James Patterson received great praise for these books, which focus on a group of children who have been genetically modified to be like birds.

“Oh, people can’t get enough of Patterson,” Ms Brown explained. “Both middle schoolers and high schoolers love these.”

The sixth installment, Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel, was published early 2010, with the seventh novel scheduled for release in February.

 

Crank by Ellen Hopkins:

“Not just Crank, actually,” said Ms Brown. “All of Ellen Hopkins books are favorites.”

The bold, controversial topics of these books, not to mention their unique formatting, weave haunting tales that are a hit for older teens. Dealing with issues such as suicidal thoughts, abortions, first loves, drug addiction, and more, all of Ellen Hopkin’s related, but not necessary series, books are written from valuing perspective and free-form verse.

The Alex Ryder Series

by Anthony Horowitz

A British import, Horowitz is a television writer whose stories of a young British spy have spawned eight books, three graphic novels, a movie, and a video game. Twelve million copies of the series have been sold worldwide.

“It’s hugely popular,” commented Ms Brown. “They just keep publishing more.”

Annexed by Sharon Dogar

“Well, this book isn’t popular yet,” admitted Ms Brown. “But I am looking for it to be.”

The book tells the story of Peter, who was in the attic with Anne Frank; this groundbreaking new novel gives a whole new perspective to a well-known tale.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

A spin-off of the still immensely popular Percy Jackson series, this newly published book is the first of a new chain called The Heroes of Olympus. Like the Percy Jackson novels, these books focus on Greek gods, but also bring in the Roman gods and some new characters.

“It goes without saying that anything Rick Riordan publishes is going to have a lot of fans,” Ms Brown said.

These books are popular due to the fact that their witty content charms all from preteen to adulthood, she said.

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan

Riordan has been very busy lately — this novel is the first in The Kane Chronicles, another one of his mythological series. This one, however, focuses on the Egyptian gods.

“It’s just another one of his amazing stories,” said Ms Brown.

Judging by Riordan’s past successes (The 39 Clues series, The Lightening Thief, and more) it is likely that this series will go on to extremely popular, according to Ms Brown.

Children’s Department Favorites

Down in the Children’s Department, there was just as much trouble keeping the shelves stocked as in other places at the library. Fancy Nancy books, Olivia and anything by Mo Willems were favorites of the younger children, while the middle ages (grades second to fourth) preferred the Mercy Watson series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Ivy and Bean, said Alana Bennison, children’s librarian at C.H. Booth Library.

However, “The biggest hit of the summer was the 39 Clues series by various authors, and of course Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief.”

Here are some of Ms Bennison’s top selections from this year.

For Ages 2 to 7

Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy by Jane O’Connor: When protagonist Nancy finds out that her family plans to get a dog, she knows that a prestigious pooch is just what she needs to make her life even more fancy. Calamities, surprises, and acceptance ensue.

Olivia and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer: Olivia the pig is always getting into trouble. The bold illustrations and humorous plotlines of these picture books are charming to both children and the adults they read them with.

Time to Sleep, Sheep the Sheep!, I Am Going!, and Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems: “His writing is brief,” explains Ms Bennison, “but his pictures tell the story. He is a very funny guy and children understand his humor.”

For Ages 7 to 12

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen: When the pig Mercy Watson wandered into her snooty neighbor’s yard and eats their flowers, there is big trouble! Luckily, Mercy is a quick-thinking hog, but can she stand up against animal control? Once again, DiCamillo’s words and Van Dusen’s images come together to form an exciting and enjoyable tale.

Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall: Ivy and Bean are best friends and always getting into trouble. When they finally get to join a ballet class, and then find out it is not quite what they expected, hilarity ensues. Any girl will relate to these two unique heroines.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney: Now a major motion picture, this bestselling book series are an assortment of journals complete with illustrations documenting the life of Greg Heffley, starting from his first year of middle school. “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series appeals to anyone who has ever felt like an underdog or someone outside of the ‘in crowd,’” said Ms Bennison. “Most kids have felt that way at one time or another.”

 One False Note and Swindle by Gordon Korman: “Great story lines and great writing make a winning combination,” claimed Ms Bennison. In Swindle, the first book to his Swindle Series, Korman weaves a tale of how everyone has a special skill that can be used to save the day. One False Note saw Korman joining the ranks of the 39 Clues authors and writing suspenseful stories that way.