Series or Sequence?

When does a series cease to become a series an instead become a sequence? This is a question that I have been pondering in the last few weeks as I have been reading a number of books that to my understanding were part of a series. I then noticed, in Mary Hoffman's Stravaganza books that they are described as a sequence.

I have no answer to my question, but would love to know if anyone else has any thoughts. I imagine that a sequence of books is one that follows the same characters sequentially through a series of events whereas a series is a set of books linked by characters but each with a stand alone story - I wait to be stand corrected on this!!

In the meantime here are some of the books I have been enjoying recently...

To begin I was very excited to see Jess Jordan back on the shelves in another fun packed Girl 16 story - she has grown a year older since we first met her in 2004, wouldn't that be wonderful if it could really happen! In Five Star Fiasco she is her usual self, getting into muddle over boyfriends, friends and this time a charity Valentine's do as well as her mum's online dating plans. Sue Limb's writing is wonderfully easy for teenagers to get lost in and to connect with. Her characters are very real and funny. Readers (most probably girls) will be laughing and crying with Jess, enjoying a good story and also learning, unconsciously about the themes of loyalty and friendship as well as love, romance and families. A great read.

For anyone who may just happen to be a football fan - can't imagine why this would be topical - there is the fourth Jamie Johnson story - Man of the Match by Dan Feedman which sees Jamie, now at the top of his game as the highest paid teenage footballer, threatened by a new recruit. tackling tough and interesting themes this is a great story for boys to get their teeth into.

Fantasy fans are spoilt for choice and will have a groaning bookcase as they find themselves drawn to the third and final Perfect Fire book, Paradise Red from K M Grant - an exciting and gripping end to this trilogy. Then there is the fifth installment from the Dragonfire series by Anne Forbes. Witch Silver is a dark and nail-biting adventure set in Scotland and ideal for young fantasy fans.

Just by way of a change Philip reeve has managed to create a second prequel to his Mortal Engines fantasy world. Web of Air continues the story of Fever in a wonderfully imagined epic world.

Finally for younger readers back to the world of fantasy and magic with Philippa Fisher and the Stone Fairy's Promise Philippa's New Year celebrations are put on hold with a warning that something very bad is about to happen... they could of course dive into a magical underwater adventure with one of six new Secret Mermaid stories from the seemingly unstoppable Sue Mongredien.

Now having given you plenty of food for thought it is time for me to leave you deciding where to start and if there is enough room on the bookcases for yet more books - you know there always is!!

It is with news galore that I write my blog post today and trying to decide where to start is not easy!

First I must tell you about the launch of Perform-a-Poem, the first e-safe

website for children's poetry performances. The launch took place at the National Theatre in London on 3rd November. This was the brainchild of Michael Rosen whilst Children's Laureate and he has now been able to see his ideas become a reality. At the launch Michael said “I’m hoping that Perform-A-Poem will give an opportunity for children and teachers to experiment and play with poetry in an exciting way. All poems have a voice; sometimes this voice is best heard silently, but most poems enjoy being spoken and performed, because this is how we get to feel a poem.”

Secondly there was the launch of P for Poland photographed by Prodeepta Das and written by Agnieszka Mrowczynska. This wonderful book is a great addition to a series that Prodeepta is building up and introduces children in a very accessible way to countries of the world that they may be less than familiar with. Thanks to the Polish Institute in London for an interesting insight into Polish Culture and a lovely, intimate evening.

Next is the announcement of the winners of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

Morag Charlwood attended this event on behalf of Armadillo and her report, along with many others, will feature in the December edition of the magazine. In the meantime however congratulations go to Sam Lloyd whose Mr Pusskins Best in Show won the under six prize and Philip Ardagh whose Grubtown Tales:

Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky won him the prize in the 7-14 category. These and all the books on the shortlist were wonderful and I hope the prize continues to go from strength to strength.

This week I will be in the audience as Geraldine McCaughrean and Philip Reeve talk about their new novels; finding time to prepare the December edition of Armadillo Magazine and getting together all the wonderful Christmas books that I have been sent ready to provide all my Blog readers with some ideas for some fantastic Christmas gift ideas! So as they say, Watch This Space...!