Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

What's HOT at the Library

Students who read for their own enjoyment are likely to perform better in school. That fact comes from the National Institute for Literacy.

The important point there is that the advantage is true wether that child is reading science manuals or teen magazines. Teachers are spending more time reading books that children enjoy in an effort to foster a love for reading.

The teachers and staff at McRae Middle School have implemented a program to encourage students to read at least 25 books over the course of the school year.

Donna Marlar, a teacher at Prescott Elementary School, read A Haunted School with her second graders prior to Halloween. Marlar and her students then dressed up like the children in the book - as those from the gray world and those from the light.

The book is among the Goosebumps series and Prescott-Nevada County Librarian Joyce Gibson said Goosebumps are among the most popular books at the library for children of that age group.

Its another realm for the kids, Gibson said.

The important point, according to Gibson, is that children who get hooked on Goosebumps or some other type of book typically go on to read other things as well.

Gibson said books make wonderful gifts, but its important to know whats hot for kids. She said the series by Scott Westerfield is in demand for the junior high and high school set. Westerfields books include The Uglies, The Pretties and The Specials. The description indicates that the books use a supernatural setting to talk about issues important to teens - from peer pressure to conformity.

Gibson said that Harry Potter remains in demand at the library though the final book of the series has not yet been released.

For the very young readers, pop-up books are in big demand, according to Gibson.

But its not all about the newer authors. Gibson said the classics, such as The Last of the Mohicans and Pathfinders have been called for recently.

A lot of kids you wouldnt ever consider would like that kind of book are reading them, she said.

Junie B. Jones, The Magic Schoolbus, Amelia Bedelia, The Bone, Judy Moody, Clifford and Stink are among the series area children say they choose to read.

And for the older generation trying to find something they can relate to in childrens books, dont overlook the Dr. Gibson said Dr. Seuss continues to be popular. Its probably because of those classic words, Sam-I-Am.

For more information about the library, call 887-5846.

The National Institute for Literacy is online at www.nifl.gov.