We have an interesting feature on our library website. Somewhat hidden on our Search the Catalog page, it proclaims "HOT TITLES" in sizzling orangey-red capital letters. When I clicked on the children's category today, I found the list below. The definition of "hotness" seems to be "most requested" by which I assume is meant the number of holds placed on particular titles. However, I seem to remember that I asked someone this once, and the answer was that the numbers of titles actually checked out was also factored in. This makes sense, as there are so many copies of Green Eggs and Ham in our branches that I can't imagine too many people have to place a hold on it. I have placed a call to a Person in the Know and am waiting for the answer*
(okay, I received the answer - apparently this list is in fact mysteriously derived from an amalgam of both holds placed and copies checked out)
In the meantime, let us examine the list. There aren't too many surprises - plenty of new titles, plus a reassuring number of old classics (Alice in Wonderland! The Cat in the Hat!). I am rather curious about The Kissing Hand and Flush - and was frankly perplexed by The Button Box until I looked it up and found there are only 6 copies in our system but 26 holds. Aha - an entire class has been assigned to find and read that book. Thanks, teacher, for checking on the availability of the book first. Sigh...
Los Angeles Public Library's most requested Children's titles for Sep 16 - 30, 2009
1) Diary of a wimpy kid : the last straw
Kinney, Jeff.
2009
2) Diary of a wimpy kid : Greg Heffley's journal
Kinney, Jeff.
2007
3) Diary of a wimpy kid : Rodrick rules
Kinney, Jeff.
2008
4) Harry Potter and the half-blood prince
Rowling, J. K.
2005
5) The cat in the hat
Seuss, Dr
1957
6) Green eggs and ham
Seuss, Dr
1960
7) Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
Barrett, Judi.
1978
8) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Rowling, J. K.
2003
9) Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone
Rowling, J. K.
1998
10) Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban
Rowling, J. K.
1999
11) Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets
Rowling, J. K.
1999
12) Harry Potter and the goblet of fire
Rowling, J. K.
2000
13) Flush
Hiaasen, Carl.
2005
14) A good night for ghosts
Osborne, Mary Pope.
2009
15) The magician : the secrets of the immortal Ni...
Scott, Michael, 1959
2008
16) The kissing hand
Penn, Audrey, 1947
1993
17) One false note
Korman, Gordon.
2008
18) The sword thief
Lerangis, Peter.
2009
19) Beyond the grave
Watson, Jude.
2009
20) The sorceress
Scott, Michael, 1959
2009
21) Miley Cyrus, miles to go
Cyrus, Miley, 1992
2009
22) Alice's adventures in Wonderland
Carroll, Lewis, 1832
2006
23) The button box
Reid, Margarette S.
1990
24) When you reach me
Stead, Rebecca.
2009
25) The siege of Macindaw
Flanagan, John
2009
I know why the Kissing Hand - all the parents trying to assuage their guilt and separation-anxiety sending their kids off to school for the first time. For me, it's right up there with Love You Forever and other maudlin books. The only thing worse than the Kissing Hand is one of the sequels - Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully.
ReplyDeleteMy kids love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. I can see why they are on the HOTLIST. They are great early chapter books and the pictures help convey the text. It's very similar to the Runt Farm: Under New Management by Amanda Lorenzo that we are reading now. The illustrations are fantastic and really keep the kids attention. The story is fun and fast paced with alot of action and vocabulary building banter between the characters. We're really enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteI cliked on The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis to see if it is any good, and am now wondering if I should seek this series out for my nine year old. Have you ever read any of his books?
ReplyDeleteSword Thief is #3 of the 39 Clues series - I read the first one and thought it was just okay. Of course, each is written by a different author, so they could vary in style...
ReplyDeleteYay, Wimpy Kid!
Ah ha! Thanks, Jennifer, for that explanation of the sudden Kissing Hand surge!