BOOKS FOR CHILDREN: How do you know what's good?

While there are many places (especially on the internet) where you can read book reviews, how do you really know if it's a good book or not when a single book might receive anywhere from one to five stars?
The answer: read the reviews of a book-addicted teacher librarian.


NOTE:
** The age recommendations are guidelines only; whether or not a certain book is suitable for a particular child depends on multiple factors, including their maturity, reading level, interests, and in some cases their experiences.
** While the ratings are largely based on my own personal appreciation/enjoyment of the book, they are also influenced by my experiences as a teacher and the potential attraction for the target-aged child (acknowledging that what one child may love, another may find exceptionally boring). A rating of 5 indicates the book is likely to be popular with the majority.


Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Nancy Drew series

AUTHOR: A variety of ghost authors, all published under the pseudonym 'Carolyn Keene' (US) (1930-present)

NOTES: Made up of different series aimed at different ages (see AGES, below). Follows Nancy, an amateur sleuth, and her two best friends. In the younger series' (Notebooks, Clue Crew) Nancy is 8-9 years old, and she solves "crimes" such as missing hats and toys. In the older series (Girl Detective, On Campus, Files, Mystery Stories) she is 18+, and she solves mysteries of stolen jewelry and home invasions. The 'On Campus' series focuses more on relationships and college life than mysteries.
Films and video games, and graphic novels have also been made about the character, along with "off-shoot" books such as "Nancy Drew Cookbook" and "Campfire stories". Most attractive to young girls with advanced reading skills.

AGES/RATING:
JUNIOR PRIMARY:
~ The Nancy Drew Notebooks (short chapter books, 1994-2005) ages 6-8. 4 stars.
~ Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew (longer chapter books, 2006+) ages 6-8/9. 4 stars.

UPPER PRIMARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL
~ Nancy Drew Mystery Stories (short novels, 1930-2003) ages 8-13. 4 stars.
~ Nancy Drew, Girl Detective (short novels, 2004+) ages 8-15. 4 1/2 stars.
~ Nancy Drew Files (short novels, 1986-1997) ages 9-15. 4 1/2 stars.
~ Nancy Drew On Campus (short novels, 1995-1998) ages 11-15. 3 1/2 stars.

GENRE: Mystery/Crime, Realistic Fiction
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