Hennepin County Library Top 25 Children's Books of 2011

What are kids reading in Hennepin County?

The top 25 children’s books checked out from Hennepin County libraries so far this year may surprise many adults, but probably not young readers. Twenty-four of the 25 books were written by only four authors. Most of the books are fantasy stories.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling continues to be a force in children’s literature, with six titles among the top 25 children’s books checked out so far this year at Hennepin County libraries. Kids obviously enjoy and relate to Greg Heffley, a “slacker” who stars in author Jeff Kinney’s humorous “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series. Greg’s foibles and follies are featured in five of the top 10 circulating (checked out) children’s books.

Seven children’s books by Daisy Meadows, the pseudonym of a group called Working Partners, also are in the top 25. 

If you’re looking for books likely to be enjoyed by your grade school kids, or want to check out a few to peruse as possible gifts, the following top 25 circulating children’s books at Hennepin County libraries so far this year is a good place to begin.

1.     Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

2.     Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney

3.     Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

4.     Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney

5.     The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

6.     Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne

7.     Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

8.     The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

9.     The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney

10.  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

11.  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

12.  Blizzard of the Blue Moon by Mary Pope Osborne

13.  Ella the Rose Fairy by Daisy Meadows

14.  Monday With a Mad Genius by Mary Pope Osborne

15.  Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve by Mary Pope Osborne

16.  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

17.  Gabriella the Snow Kingdom Fairy by Daisy Meadows

18.  Dark Day in the Deep Sea by Mary Pope Osborne

19.  Penny the Pony Fairy by Daisy Meadows

20.  Victoria the Violin Fairy by Daisy Meadows

21.  Phoebe the Fashion Fairy by Daisy Meadows

22.  Cherry the Cake Fairy by Daisy Meadows

23.  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling

24.  Isabelle the Ice Dance Fairy by Daisy Meadows

25.  Dragon of the Red Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne

Some of these titles are available in more than one format (regular print, large print, audio) at the Hennepin County Library. To reserve one or more of the titles: www.hclib.org and click on Library Catalog. Find more title suggestions by clicking on KidLinks or connect with staff through Ask Us: www.hclib.org/askus

Editor's note: The preceding information was provided by the Hennepin County Library.