The Ongoing Love Affair With Fantasy Series

Many people have claimed J.K. Rowling deserves credit for almost single-handedly reviving kids' interest in reading.  I don't dispute the assertion.  I would only suggest that, at least in our library, her influence has turned out to be in a narrower area than a librarian would hope.

Let me explain.  Since the publication of the "Harry Potter" series, our students have gravitated overwhelmingly to fantasy, at the expense of most other genres.  Only nonfiction and cartoon-style books seem to be able to compete.  Not only is fantasy the hands-down choice for most kids, boys and girls, grades 2-6.  Stand-alone fantasies are not preferred; series garner the greatest loyalty.

I have asked myself often lately why these preferences should be.  Do kids gravitate to fantasy because it's more attractive than their real lives?  Does it encourage them to indulge in imagining what life would be like if they had super powers?  And, what about the obsession with series?  Kids can't get enough of following the adventures of their favorite characters, no matter how repetitive the stories become.  Perhaps adults are no different, considering how we love continuing reality t.v. series and ongoing sagas such as "Downton Abbey."  Maybe it's just human to become attached to others, even if they are fictional, and not to want to say goodbye to them.