Most parents of children and teens that love reading usually don’t have a problem with bringing their child to the library to look for books and browse the shelves for the whole family. But, what do you do while the library is offering limited services or is closed for a holiday/weather? How do you find age appropriate books your child or teen will love without browsing? What’s new that will tempt them and you into reading and will grab your attention? How can you get a child or teen engaged in a book if they have no idea of what they want to read?
Your library website can help with that. Books & Authors, Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database, Novelist K-8, and Novelist Plus are databases on the Charles County Public Library website that will give you an age appropriate list of books.
Novelist K-8
Novelist K-8 is a “guide to popular fiction titles for young readers; a great source for series, read-alikes and topic lists”. This database is good for searching for books for ages 0-12 years old and teens. The database allows you to browse for books that might engage your child’s interest. It gives the searcher different genres (adventure, humor, graphics, etc.), a picture of the cover, and a brief description of the book. And, each book has a link that will check for availability in our catalog.
Novelist Plus
Novelist Plus is “An electronic readers’ advisory tool and source for series, read-alikes and book discussion guides”. This database differs slightly from the Novelist K-8. It covers a wider age range, including books for adults. It also gives you description of the book, searchability in our catalog, and the ability to place a reserve on the item. When you click on the picture of the book it gives you the minimum and maximum age ranges and the Accelerated Reader levels.
Books and Authors
Books and Authors “offers new ways to explore the endless possibilities and combinations of books, authors, genres and topics. The ideal convergence of science and serendipity, this online resource leverages the Internet’s unique capacity to create, build, communicate and sustain communities of readers.”
Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database
CLCD has “information on books, movies, audios and more for kids.”
Don’t forget to request some of our VOX books that will allow your child to read along with the person narrating the books. Happy Reading!
