The tweens I work with have some very strong opinions of what makes a hot book. Unfortunately, because they are tweens, they still have a hard time actually describing what that is. They know they love graphic novels. Babymouse, Bone, and Naruto are some favorites. They also love the Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Adventures. Books that fly off the shelves include the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Candy Apple books, The Lightning Thief series, and Goosebumps. Their favorite non-fiction books are usually origami or biographies. Some teachers have caused enough hype around certain books and topics that their students create a school-wide buzz about books like, A Tale of Despereaux, E.D. Baker's books, The Indian in the Cupboard series, and Greek Mythology.
Tweens enjoy getting together with their friends and hanging out. They want to read books about the same sort of things that they are going through. Sheila B. Anderson, in Serving Young Teens and Tweens, discusses the fact that tweens are going through many physiological, hormonal, religious, academic, and personal changes, and that librarians need to provide materials that will help guide tweens through this growth. Tweens and teens want answers, and more and more of them are turning to the Internet to find them. Many tweens feel more comfortable searching the Internet than searching through a library. It is the library's responsibility to help guide this quest to reliable resources, in both print and online formats, that will help lead these tweens in their evolution into adulthood.
There are a number of books that are really being hyped up this summer. Two of them are The Red Pyramid, and The Lost Hero by, Rick Riordon. Two other really popular books right now are The Short Secret Life of Bree Tanner and The Twilight Saga Eclipse: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion by, Stephanie Meyer. All of these books had near guaranteed success-- due to the enormous popularity of the other books written by these two authors coupled with intense marketing campaigns. These have been pervasive; the jacket art for all four books has flooded bookstores and the Internet. The Internet also shows a strong campaign for Erin Hunter books, both the Warriors and Seekers series, and all books relating to dragons or vampires. A wide variety of fantasy series are spotlighting their newest additions. These include books by Brandon Mull, Chris D'Lacey, Jenny Nimmo, and John Flanagan.
Tweens are trying so hard to fit in that they swarm to things that are considered popular--in an effort to fit in. Also, their hormones are racing and they are feeling such intense sensations that anything which they love, they are infatuated with. This means that any books that have connections to music or movies are always incredibly popular. Anderson reminds librarians of the importance of purchasing some of these types of materials, as they will prove to tweens and teens that the library does value their interests. While some of these materials may lose popularity quickly, others will last for a number of years. Furthermore, valuing patron feedback helps develop life-long library users.
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