We were out of school three days last week due to weather and sickness, so I went to work on Thursday to unpack my library book order (and work on many other things). It's nice to have some time to work with no students, but it sure is quiet! Those days may be the only time it's ever quiet in my library.
I thought I'd share some of the new books I've ordered this year. This was my third library book order this year because my students keep asking for more new books! I don't know about you, but my primary students often get the short end of the stick when it comes to book orders. They just don't ask for much. They're generally happy with the current collection. My older students' wish list is approximately one mile long. I keep a handwritten request list right beside my desk. I'm constantly adding something to it, and that's generally what I look at when I start working on a library book order.
Here are some titles I've added to my library collection this year (in no particular order). I hope it will give you some ideas for your next library book order!
Upper Elementary Titles (3rd-5th)
- How to Train Your Dragon set by Cressida Cowell
- Jason Strange books
- Voices of War books
- Baseball Crazy by Nancy Mercado
- Fear This Book: Your Guide to Fright, Horror, and Things that Go Bump in the Night by Jeff Szpirglas
- Ghosts of the Titanic by Julie Lawson
- Dangerous Waters: An Adventure on the Titanic by Gregory Mone
- I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- America is Under Attack by Don Brown
- One Direction books
- World Record books
- Goosebumps Horrorland books
- Judy Moody series
K-2nd Grade Books
- Spiderman books
- Batman books
- Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
- Emeraldalicious by Victoria Kann
- Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
- Olivia and the Fairy Princesses by Ian Falconer
- Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham
- DC Super Pets series (my students LOVE these - I ordered 2 sets!)
- Ready, Freddy! series
- Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series
- Fly Guy series
- Kylie Jean series
These are only some of the books from my library book order. As you can see, I order a lot of book series because my students really enjoy them.
What's the most popular book you ordered this year? What would you recommend adding to a library book order? Share with us in the comments!
Rhonda says
Jocelyn, did you purchase any books specifically to match the CCSS? How are school librarians meeting this need? The suggested titles in the CCSS appendix are mostly out of print. While the push is for students to reading 50 % literature and 50% non fiction
Elem_Librarian says
Rhonda, This is definitely on my radar screen, but I didn't purchase specifically for that... this year. I probably will look more at that next year.
Amy Penwell says
Don't miss Wonder by R.J. Palacio - it is riveting as a read aloud for 4th grade and up.
One question that is off-topic to this post - what are the rules in 'I Have/Who Has'? I would like to use it with K/1 classes but can't figure out what the motivator is!
Elem_Librarian says
Hi Amy! I actually purchased two copies of Wonder for the library. I really enjoyed it. As far as the "I have... who has?" game, you basically print the cards front and back. Someone starts the game by saying, "I have (the word/picture on the front of the card). Then they flip their card over and say, "Who has (the word/picture on the back)?" Does that make sense? Then that person reads their word and asks who has the word on the back of their card. The game should progress in a circle, where everyone with a card has a turn.
Amy Penwell says
There are some really amazing things people are doing with this book - I am trying to work up the nerve/organization to do an Edmodo virtual book discussion group with my fourth graders. I even convinced my principal to read the book 🙂
stacey says
Where does everyone order their book from?
Elem_Librarian says
I usually order from Follett. The integration with Destiny is simple and quick and their processing services are excellent.
Mounia S. says
Perma-Bound, although I don't know if they have services outside of Michigan-Ohio, or Follett.
One more series my students love (5th grade mostly) is the "I survived..." the Titanic, World war II, Hurricane Katrina....very interesting historical fiction series.
Amy Penwell says
I just scooped up a few 'I Survived' title from our book fair. They are a big hit!
Teresa says
We have ordered from Perma-bound and Junior Library Guild, although, I must admit, Follett is my absolute favorite for their products, prices, processing and they will replace (free) any book with their binding if they fall apart. Great company!!
Jamie Camp says
Two novels that my older readers love (gr 4-5) are Home of the Brave and The One and Only Ivan--both by Katherine Applegate. If you haven't introduced your upper elementary to those books, give them serious consideration. They are both stunning. Especially Ivan! Also, many of my realistic fiction readers who loved Sharon Draper's Out of My Mind are loving Palacio's Wonder almost as much!
An all-time favorite for young and old is also Kevin O'Malley's Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude! Big thumbs up!
Kim says
I started buying the interactive history series. I think is called you choose series. They are like the old choose your own adventure, but with a historical perspective. I show them to my 3-5 grades and they fly off the shelves.
Elem_Librarian says
Sounds interesting! I will check these out.