New year; old books

The first big news in children's publishing for 2010 is not a new series, but the revival of an old one. Scholastic is bringing back the Baby Sitters' Club books, bestsellers from a generation ago. Ann Martin, who wrote many of the original books has provided a prequel that sets the background for some of the characters, although it's hard to believe thirteen-year-olds have lengthy life histories. The push to revive this series may grow out of parental concern that the new crop of supernatural series books are not quite what they would like to see their daughters reading. Looking back, the Baby Sitters Club seems a wholesome glimpse of real life among girls who dream about cute basketball players more than pallid vampires. Perhaps the tide is turning and librarians, teachers and parents will be able to stop trying to keep up with the deluge of alien visitors from fantasy land.