Best series books for your elementary library

Just like the title of this post says, I’m going to recommend popular series books based on what I’ve learned from my library. For those of you that are librarians, you probably already know how important it is to have many diversified series’ books in your collection. Series books are critical for student motivation to read as well as circulation. Like Stephen Krashen points out in “The Power of Reading”, its not how hard the reading is, its how much they (your students) do. Volume is the only factor to reading attainment.

With Krashen’s quote in mind, here are a few good series that you need to have in your library.

Geronimo Stilton: Adventures about a mild-mannered mouse who works as a journalist for a fictional newspaper. Geronimo is always finding himself smack dab in the middle of a risky and always dramatic situation. Colorful words and accompanying illustrations on every page make this a perfect series for students in grades 2-5. Currently there are 33 books in the series.

Bone by Jeff Smith: Half Casper the Ghost, half Snoopy, Bone is a graphic novel series that motivates boys to read like crazy. A must have, especially for boys in grades 3-6. Currently there are 6 books in the series.

Katie Kazoo by Nancy Krulik: Katie is a fourth grader who wishes she could become anyone else but herself. Her wish comes true, and every book in the installment trouble ensues when Katie turns into a person or animal. Highly recommended for boys and girls in grades 2-4.

Garfield by Jim Davis: Probably the original graphic novel series. Kids still love Garfield. My guess is that students first get exposed to Garfield through their local newspapers comic section. Garfield flies out of my library faster than any other series. Recommended for boys and girls grades 2-6.

Captain Underpants and Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot by Dav Pilkey: Potty humor and super heros always sell well with adolescent boys. If you don’t mind booger and diaper jokes, these two series always command young boys’ attention. Personally, as long as its OK with the parents, I’m all for students reading these risque types of books. Approximately 7-8 books in each series.

Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborne: Jack and his younger sister Annie travel to historic places using a magic treehouse. A tremendously popular series. Teachers often tie the Magic Treehouse series into classroom instruction. Highly Recommended for students in grades 1-4. Currently there are 38 books in the series.

Matt Christopher (Various Sports): The quality of writing leaves a little bit to be desired, but young boys gravitate towards these type of books because of their interest in athletics. Recommended for boys in grades 2-6.

Junie B. Jones- A classic. Students as early as first grade are exposed to this series and often start reading chapter books because of Junie B. Approximately 20 books in the series. Highly recommended for students in grades 1-4.

Animal Ark by Ben Baglio: You can never go wrong having lots and lots of animal books in your collection. Animal Ark is a series where a girl named Mandy, the daughter of a local veterinarian finds animals in trouble and attempts to help them with the assistance of her friends. Recommended for students in grades 3-6.

Shadow Children by Margaret Peterson Haddix: A futuristic, an overpopulated earth and government control are all part of the world that effects the children that are the main characters in the books. Recommended for students in grades 4-7.