Book series can foster a child's lifelong love of reading

Learning to read is the first step. Loving to read is the next. For so many students, the latter is the more difficult of the two.

Once a student finds a topic or storyline that sparks an interest, reading for hours ceases to be difficult. For many students, the key is finding a series of books that interests them. With a series, the reading doesn’t have to stop once one book is read.

A series of books will typically share genres, settings and characters. Sometimes storylines will carry over from one book to the next. However, timelines are not always chronological according to when the books are published. Many times readers will enjoy several of the books in the series if they’re interested in one of them.

Many teachers will agree that finding a book series will encourage an interest in reading. Once that interest in a certain genre is discovered, a similar book series or author can usually be found.

There are some simple ways to help children select a book that is just right. Make sure they are interested in the story. Make sure they can read and figure out almost all the words. Also, make sure they understand the story and can tell you what it is about. Listen to them read. They should be able to read smoothly; if they’re stumbling over words, they will not be able to focus on reading for understanding.

The following 2012 New York City Library Summer Reading list can be used as a guideline to find a book series. Reading and interest level will also determine where your child’s interest may be found.

Grades 1 and 2

Cork & Fuzz by Dori Chaconas

George & Martha by James Marshall

Katie Woo by Fran Manushkin

Mouse & Mole by Wong Herbert Yee

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Young Cam Jansen by David A. Adler

Grades 3 and 4

Alvin Ho by Lenore Look

The Buddy Files by Dori Hillestad Butler

Frankly, Frannie by A.J. Stern

Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

I Survived by Lauren Tarshis

Keena Ford by Melissa Thomson

Piper Reed by Kimberly Willis Holt

Grades 5 and 6

Animorphs by Katherine A. Applegate

Calvin Coconut by Graham Salisbury

Dear Dumb Diary by Jim Benton

Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon

Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer

Fashion Kitty by Charise Mericle Harper

Myth-o-mania by Kate McMullan

Teens

Summer by Jenny Han

Keysha by Earl Sewell

Wake by Lisa McMann

Saturn Apartments by Hisae Iwaoka

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Maze Runner by James Dashner

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji

Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

— For more books and book series ideas for children in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, or for any K-12 education-related questions, contact the Naval Base Ventura County school liaison officer at 805-989-5211 or email monica.james@navy.mil.