A new cataloging system brings ‘stepping up’ books to young readers.

Young readers who like “The Magic Treehouse” series by Mary Pope Osborne or the “Junie B. Jones” series by Barbara Park were craving for more books of that reading level – harder than easy-to-read books, but a step below full-blown chapter books.

“Kids knew and came to ask for them, but wouldn’t see the ones that were similar,” Bainbridge library assistant Eleanor Wheeler said.

Such “stepping up” books, which target kids in the second- to third-grade level, were scattered throughout the juvenile fiction section.

“And for every one that asks (a librarian for help), there are those who don’t,” Wheeler said.

That’s when Wheeler, who has been with Bainbridge library for more than 13 years, had the idea to put these books into their own section.

Now with the support of Kitsap Regional Library, the Bainbridge Island branch is pioneering the “Juvenile Step-Up Collection,” a new classification – a fairly rare event – for these books marked with a purple star on the spine.

What triggered the awareness were the “Magic Treehouse” and “Junie B. Jones” series, Wheeler said.

In the past, she said, there were not many books written to that level, so it took publishers realizing there was a market before there were enough books to make up a whole section in the library.

The Bainbridge librarians had always kept a notebook of books belonging to different genres – fantasy, books for boys, stepping-up books, animal stories – as they came in, but it was hard to just browse through the books.

Finally, feeling they had reached critical mass with these books, the Young People’s staff tested the idea by making a section for these books last month.

“The reaction has been positive from all levels,” Wheeler said. “It’s working for the kids, and it’s working for the parents.”

With that proof, Young People’s Librarian Sharon Snyder brought the request for a new category to KRL, which gave the OK.

Recataloging began last week.

But, ultimately, helping a child find the right book for him or her isn’t just asking about a child’s reading level.

“Enjoying is the biggest key,” Wheeler said. “If they’re enjoying it, that’s the right level for them.”

* * * * *

Junior librarians

There’s nothing quite so comforting as being read to. For several Tuesdays this summer, junior library volunteers, ages 10 and up, will be downstairs in the Young People’s section of the library to read to any younger children who would like to hear a story.

Young People’s librarian Sharon Snyder tried the idea out last summer in a low-key way and found there was just something special about older kids reading to younger kids.

“There were moments of magic last summer,” Snyder said.

Parents enjoyed it, as it let them browse nearby while their children got to hear a story. This year, about eight volunteers have already signed up. Anyone interested in being a junior volunteer can talk with Snyder at the library.

Volunteer readers will be on the lower level of the library 10:30-11:30 a.m. on the following Tuesdays: July 12, July 26 and every Tuesday in August.

– Tina Lieu