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Not Your Mother’s Fiction

by Julie Horn
Grand County Libraries

With Grand County Library District’s Summer Reading Program in full swing, many parents and grandparents are finding that juvenile literature has changed quite a bit since they were in elementary school. While many authors such as Laura Ingles Wilder and Beverly Cleary are still checked out frequently, a new group of children’s fiction authors have captivated the imagination of today’s new generation of readers. Below is a list of favorite check-outs at the Grand County Library District.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney

Greg is a middle school student who continually finds it hard how to do the “right thing. His mother makes him keep a journal and the result is a hilarious dead-pan account of his adventures. Because Greg illustrates his escapades this series is great for kids who have trouble finding something to keep their interest.



Warriors – Erin Hunter

This series follows the lives of four clans of wild cats in their forest realm. With a current count of 30 books, this series will keep children happy and busy reading for some time.



Septimus Heap – Angie Sage

Full of Darke Magyk and adventure this series is great for children too young for Harry Potter.

Something Wickedly Weird – Chris Mould

Originally published in England, this series follows the adventures of Stanley Buggles as he visits the village of Crampton Rock where he faces werewolves, ghosts, and even pirates!

Dear America – Scholastic Books

Joining fact and fiction various authors relay the story of America through the diaries and letters of young girls. This series lead to other companion series including The Royal Diaries, Young America and American Girl.

Mysterious Benedict Society- Trenton Lee Stewart

Four orphans with unusual abilities team up with to unravel clues and save the world – and themselves. This series is rapidly becoming a favorite among both children and their parents.

Dragonology Chronicles – Dugald A. Steer

Set in the 19th century this series follows a brother and sister as they secretly study dragons at a school run by eccentric dragonologist Dr. Ernest Drake.

Hank the Cowdog – John R. Erickson

Although Hank has been around for over twenty years, his stories are timeless. Told from the point of view of a not so smart ranch dog these books are perfect for parent-child real aloud time.

The Missing – Margaret Peterson Haddix

In this exciting science fiction adventure a teen finds that his past is not what he thought. Author Haddix has won several awards for her young adult and middle reader novels.

May Bird – Jodi Lynn Anderson

The heroine of this series is a 10 year-old misfit who, along with her hairless cat, gets caught up in another world called Ever After.

Weenies – David Lubar

These books contain a series of short stories that will amuse and “creep-out” young readers. The books also contain discussion guides so you can review the stories with your child.

These books and more can be found @yourlibrary.


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