CHECK IT OUT:

Picture books, easy readers, pre-teen literature and young-adult fiction: Kids have their own bestselling, popular book titles just like adults.

Sample some of these new, most-requested books that kids themselves have selected and passed around with recommendations to their friends.

Some titles are part of a series, and others are stand-alone titles.

Picture books and easy readers are best for snuggling and reading aloud, while the titles for older children can be shared with adults for exciting discussion after individual readings.

Start a family book club, and reap the benefits after the first chapter.

“Junie B., First Grader: Dumb Bunny” by Barbara Park: Read the 27th title in the Junie B. Jones series and follow the adventures of 6-year-old Junie and her classmates. This title revolves around winning the grand prize of a “dream” playdate, complete with swimming pool. These humorous illustrated titles are great for reading aloud as well as an introduction to beginning vocabularies for first-time readers.

“Olivia Helps With Christmas” by Ian Falconer: Get into the holiday spirit with Olivia the Pig as the family waits for Santa Claus. This darling picture book is appropriate for the pre-reader and youngest reader set. Fun illustrations are great for identifying chores and activities around the house.

“The Three Snow Bears” by Jan Brett: The classic fairy tale of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is retold within a new setting of an Inuit village and a polar bear family. Author Brett is a well-known storyteller, and the illustrations serve to add spice to the reinterpreted tale. This is enjoyable for the youngest kids.

“Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones” by Judith Schachner: Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese cat who wants to be a dog, specifically a chihuahua. This imaginative picture book series with a Mexican flavor can be savored with amigos and amigas of all ages.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal” by Jeff Kinney: Middle school sixth-graders get the spotlight in this laugh-out-loud story about keeping up appearances around bigger boys who — gasp — shave! Rowley and Greg strive to remain friends while avoiding the nerd factor and the accompanying peer pressure to be liked among their fellow students.

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie: Popular young adult fiction is a favorite category for dealing with teen problems and concerns in a humorously serious fashion. Meet Junior as he travels from the Spokane Washington Indian Reservation school to a new school in town. Using his cartoonist skills, he punctuates the underlying irony and unintended humor found in his new circumstances.

“The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman: First published under the title “Northern Lights,” this beginning title in the “His Dark Materials” fantasy series has been so popular with young readers that it’s soon to be released as a motion picture an all-star cast including Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. Join heroine Lyra Belacqua as she strives to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from the forces of evil.

“The Daring Book for Girls” by Andrea Buchanan: This collection of adventure activities, classic crafts, curious experiments and explanations for everyday occurrences helps girls explore the outside world. Like its counterpart, “The Dangerous Book for Boys” by Conn Iggulden, this title offers a wealth of ideas for parents and kids involving projects and life-skills instruction.

CHECK IT OUT is written by Newport Beach Public Library reference librarian Mary Ellen Bowman. Use your Newport Beach Public Library card to reserve these titles at www.newportbeachlibrary.org or call (949) 717-3800 and press 2.