Unlock Forum posting with Annual Membership. |
|
|||
Young Adult Reading Challenge (the Full and Mini Challenges are Below)
The Full Challenge is 33 Books, and the mini Challenge is 12 or 18 Books
Your Choice Category (You may replace one of the Below Categories with a Category of your Choosing)
Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist
Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge)
1. Work by an author you have never read before
Guidelines: A book has to be one you've never read before. A book may only be used once on your List, but Multiple Books from the same Series can be used. Award Finalists are also fine for the Award Categories. Another alternative Mini-Challenge would be to Read Six Books in each Category, and which is 18 Books Total.
Have Fun with your Reading in 2012, and Good Luck! :-)
Last Edited on: 12/22/11 3:53 PM ET - Total times edited: 7 |
|||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Edited on: 6/5/12 1:40 AM ET - Total times edited: 47 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||
BLUE - Currently reading PURPLE - finished reading
Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist - The Oracle Rebounds by Allison Van Diepen
Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge)
1. Work by an author you have never read before WIther (Chemical Garden, bk1) by Laruen DeStefano
Last Edited on: 4/16/12 6:15 AM ET - Total times edited: 16 |
|||
|
|||
33/33 Mini-Challenge (6 each category) completed 3/17/12 Full Challenge completed 7/17/12 Genre Categories (Category finished 7/17/12)
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues - A Beautiful Dark (book 1) - Joceyln Davies 2/28
4. Science Fiction - A Million Suns (Across the Universe 2) - Beth Revis 2/21
Setting/Narrator Categories (Category completed 7/3/12)
1. Female protagonist The Fault in Our Stars - John Green 2/27
Author/Award Categories (Category completed 7/10/12)
1. Work by an author you have never read before Shut Out - Kody Klepinger 3/1 Last Edited on: 7/18/12 8:51 AM ET - Total times edited: 60 |
|||
|
|||
Young Adult Reading Challenge (I will be doing the Full 33-Book Challenge)
Your Choice Category (You may replace one of the Below Categories with a Category of your Choosing) Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist
Author/Award Categories
1. Work by an author you have never read before |
|||
|
|||
33/33 Genre Categories - completed 4/13
Setting/Narrator Categories - completed 4/12
Author/Award Categories - completed 4/30
Last Edited on: 4/30/12 11:04 PM ET - Total times edited: 47 |
|||
|
|||
DONE!!!! Finished the full challenges. Whoopeee!!!! The Full Challenge is 33 Books, and the mini Challenge is 12 or 18 Books Your Choice Category (You may replace one of the Below Categories with a Category of your Choosing - Hadn't planned to do this but I have been able to obtain Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver so I have to decide which one to replace!) Genre Categories 1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues: Over the Wall by John H. Ritter: I'm not really a sports fan but I do believe that I will look for other books written by Ritter. He writes so well capturing the angst of being a boy growing up and facing both his own problems and those handed to him by life over which he has no control. This is a wonderful story. I haven't watched baseball games for many years but I felt as if I were beside this angry young boy who was dealing with his feelings about his father and his sport. The two were twisted together and once Tyler understood both himself and his father his life and his sport became better for him. I recommend this read to those who wish to understand a growing boy with dreams of fame and/or hurting for many reasons. It's outstanding. 5 stars 2. Romance: Aucassin & Nicolette and Other Romances and Legends translated by Eugene Mason. In the introduction, the editor recommends remembering that this book is composed of stories that evolved in the oral tradition. As I read them, I imagined that I heard a story teller relating each one and I enjoyed them so much more. As the title states this is a collection of medieval stories - romances, religious tales and other legends, all French in origin. It's a wonderful read. The first, Aucassin & Nicolette, is a classic tale where two young people fall in love. In this one, father of the young man, believes that the young woman is not appropriate choice for his only son because she is of a lower class than his son. The rwo strive to convince the father that their love is just and right but to no avail. Can their love be fulfilled so that they may live out their lives together. There are other romances such as Story of King Flolrus and of the Fair Jehane, Lay of Graevlent, and The Palfrey, each of which has its own plot and ending. Stories of a religious nature include The Lady's Tumbler, A Jew Who Took as Surety the Image of Our Lady, The Knight Who Prayed While Our Lady Tourneyed in His Stead and the The Story of Asenath. Others are about what is just and fair, friendship, and the quirks of life. 4 stars 3. Fantasy: The Secret Scroll by Lynne Ewing: Catty is the daughter of a goddess who has turned to the evil Atrox. Her father was a member of the inner circle serving the Atrox. Does this mean that Catty also serves Atrox? It does not but she is the inheritor of the secret scroll which can destroy Atrox. First, she must be able to read the scroll which eludes her understanding. When a regulator manages to gain control of one of Catty's friends, it appears that all is lost. Who can help her rescue her friend and save her adoptive mother who became ill because she touched the cursed scroll? The evil regulator who captured Vanessa, Catty's friend, has assumed the personage of Toby, a high schooler. To survive, Catty must keep the scroll and save both her adoptive mother and Vanessa. In the process she loses the scroll which is lost in time so the series must continue. 3 stars 4. Science Fiction: Delirium by Lauren Oliver: Reminds me very much of 1984 by George Orwell. So much so that I would almost be willing to bet that the author took her ideas from that much earlier novel about a world where people are controlled. The difference is that this novel is aimed at an YA audience and it's about love. Love is believed to be a disease so when young people reach the age of 18 they undergo a procedure that limits or eliminates the emotions they feel. The entire book is devoted to creating this unreal yet horrible world were people become like zombies, living and working as if that is all there is to life. Lena, short for Magdalena, is a teenager who, like her friends, have adapted to this strange world. She looks forward to the procedure until she meets Alex. Alex is older and attends a local college. He has a scar that indicates he is "cured" or has had the procedure. However, the scar is on his skin surface only. It's a way to live in this world without the "cure." Of course, Lena and Alex fall in love and meet whenever they can just to see each other. They are discovered. Lena is captured, drugged and tied to her bed while the date of her procedure moved up. With the help of her little cousin she escapes and the tale rockets to an ending that again mirrors 1984. However, it does reflect two important concepts - freedom and love are important parts of life. A good, good read. 4 stars 5. Apocalyptic/Dystopia: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: This is the second in Oliver's series. While it was very good, I think I liked Delirium better. This one finds Lena in the Wilds where she meets those Invalids who help her adjust to normal feelings and a life of resistance where she finds herself impersonating someone else in another city to get close to the young leader of the young people who support the procedure. However, she falls in love with Julian and he with her. They are kidnapped and their adventures find themselves escaping and dodging enemies of different types with a surprise ending sure to entice the reader to look for the third novel in thed series. 4 stars 6. Mystery/Thriller: Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann: An interesting horror type mystery about disappearing teens. When the heroine almost becomes one of the missing the mystery is solved. She is saved by her OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) that allows her to escape the fate that the first two teenagers met when they disappeared. 4 stars 9. Poetry/Free Verse: Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by
10. Anthology: A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsteeedited by Martin H. Greenberg and Kerrie Hughes, an interesting collection of stories with females as the focus of each story. The first was by a favorite author: Jane Lindskold, titled "The Drifter" and very good. In fact, I found many of the stories interesting, including "Murder She Workshopped", "Heart of Ash", "Jiang Shi" and "Signed in Blood". There were only a couple I did not enjoy. 4 stars
10. Anthology: A Girl's Guide to Guns and Monsters
Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: A humorous and delightful little book. Imagine having to obey every order someone gave you. That's Ella's problem as she was granted this unusual "gift" by a fairy when she was a baby. Whether a person really means the statement to be an order or not, if it's phrased as one, Ella must obey. With this difference, Ella Enchanted follows the Cindarella story line closely. It's a delightful read for the young. 3 stars 3. One or More Characters are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender: The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard, a story about two young women born on the same day whose lives are forever connected. The tale begins at very young ages and follows these birth daughters into their elder years. Good read. 4 stars 4. Non-human protagonist: Brisinger by Christopher Paolini and/or Eldest by Christopher Paolini, The story of Eragon the dragon rider continues as he has sworn to help the Varden and the dwarves the group travel to the Elves where he completes his training with the elves. His cousin, Roran, persuades most of the village population to flee with him to find Eragon to help him rescue his sweetheart, Katrina. A good read indeed. 4 stars 5. Involves a family conflict: Shelter Me by
6. Takes place in a School: Among Others by Jo Clayton A light but interesting story about a surviving twin whose mother is a witch. The other twin is killed when a car hits the two of them. Mori runs away from her mother and is put in a home from which her father rescues her. He enrolls her in a boarding school where she discovers others who read SF as avidly as she does. In addition, her father, Daniel, reads SF. The only problem is her mother who was responsible for her sister's death. Can she survive another battle with her witch mother? 3 stars 10. Third Person Omniscient Narrator (all knowing or godlike): Protector of the Small, First Test by Tamora Pierce. A wonderful story about strength, determination, dreams and making them come true. Kel is a young woman who wants to become a warrior so she can protect those who need protecting. Living in a land invaded by immortals, some of which threaten the life and livelihood of its residents, Kel's first encounter is with a spideren which she survives barely. She is admitted to page training on probation and endures humiliating experiences because the boys with whom she trains who want nothing to do with a girl. Kel's story training as a page in the first in a series about this amazing young woman. It's very well done. 3 stars 11. Third-Person limited, or Multiple-perspective Narrator (experiences of only one, or alternating characters). Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan. This is an interesting science fiction tale about two space ships which have left a dying earth heading for New Earth where they will build a new life. One ship is filled with fundamental Christians who set the rules by which all must live. The other has those who do not believe in that way of life including Muslims, agnostics and others. Interestingly, the women on both ships have trouble becoming pregnant. One solves the problem and shares the secret with the other. However, the shared formula makes the women sterile on the ship of the funamentalists. They attack the other ship and kidnap the girls, murdering many crew members. The story spins from out from this point as the girls encounter problems different from those the boys encounter. It's an entertaining read that leaves one knowing that a second book will follow with the same characters. 4 stars Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge) 1. Work by an author you have never read before: Dragonwings by Laurence Yep is a delightful story about a Chinese man whose dream is to build an airplane and fly while he tries to earn enough money to bring his family to the U.S. Truly enjoyed this YA read. It's inspiring and recommend it to anyone wanting to follow their own dreams. 4 stars 2. Author from a Country other than the U.S., the U.K., Canada, or Australia: Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (German author). Good, good story for the young. A dragon named Firedrake is searching for a new home for the dragons with which he lives as their valley is about to be flooded by the humans. He is accompanied by a brownie named Sorrel. As they embark on their adventures, they encounter a homeless boy named Ben who is fascinated by dragons. The three are searching for the original home of the dragons called the Rim of Heaven. However, they must evade or defeat a rogue dragon named Nettlebrand whose primary goal is to eat other dragons. Well done. 4 stars 3. Michael L. Printz Award (Replacing with a winner of the Andre Norton Award: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente, 6/20/2012. My first read by Catherynne M. Valente was Palimpsest. and I did not like it at all. Fortunately for me, I try to give every author at least two chances. I'm so glad that I did. I remember that a character in that novel was called November. However, another review reminded me that she referred to a book titled The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making about a girl named September who travels to fairyland. The book was actually written later and won then it won the Andre Norton Award as well as Geek Best Web Fiction of the Decade. I so enjoyed it. While its a children's book, it may well become a fantasy classic. So well done, it takes us to a fairyland possibly existing during WWII. There are so many wonderful creatures that children (and adults like me) adore such as wild bicycles (acting like wild horses, of course,) a boy named Saturday and a dragon who loves books. The three hope to vanquish an evil Marquess so fairyland can become what it once was. Wonderful, wonderful read. 5 stars 4. William C. Morris YA Debut Award: Graceling - Seven Kingdoms, Bk 1 by 5. Boston Globe-Horn Book Award: Missing May by Cynthia Rylant (1992), 2/20/2012, 3 stars for adults, 4 stars for the young. 6. Cybils Award: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. This is one of those books that one must reflect about to understand its message but for sure it's a five star read! It's about a young girl, Taylor, whose mother abandoned her. Her only memory of her father is holding her in his arms and putting her up on his shoulders. She survives in a group living situation where she is elected head of her house. The houses claim territory, buildings, paths, etc., and go to war occasionally. One must not invade another house's territory. At the same time Taylor is dealing with who she is and why her mother left her. In addition, she is reading a novel that is being written by her caretaker, Hannah. The two are connected but one doesn't discover how until the end. Taylor also discovers her first boyfriend, Jonah, who understands more about her than anyone else. I cried as I finished the book but I highly recommend it. This is a must read! 5 stars. 7. Young Reader's Choice Award: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling, 12/18/2012, 4 stars for the young but I give it 3 stars for older readers because it seems drawn own and wordy. Why it took me so long to read this series I do not know. I have totally enjoyed every one. He Who Must Not be Named (Voldemort) has indeed come back. Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore work together to try to uncover clues about Voldemort's past and find a way to stop him once and for all. Yes, this one is darker and sadder than previous reads but as we are nearing the end of the series and Harry is growing up this is probably appropriate. I do feel that it could have been more heavily edited to make a better read. However, the ending is very exciting prompting the readers to hurry out to get the next book in this series. 8. Book that has or is being made into a movie: She by H Rider Haggard, 9/6/2012 4 stars. What a stimulating book! When I think about when this book was written (before 1900) I marvel at the creativity of the author. She or Ayesha as she is named is the evil heroine in this novel who has learned the secret of a long, long life. She is over 2000 years old and rules as queen of a head hunting tribe. While she can be considerate and sensitive when it comes to her needs, wants, laws and desires she is firm about her expectations. Those who deviate from her guidelines may well be killed by her hand. The book is long, printed in small print on thin paper and a bit difficult to read but once one gets into the story it's hard to put it aside. The adventures are many, exciting and scary. The ending is quite unexpected but I understand there is a sequel which I am anxious to read. Excellent read. Or Leprechauns by Greg Shaw Gardner. (HAVE)
9. First or Last book in a Series: The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld, sequel to Peeps, 3 stars 11. Best or a Recommended Book for Boys: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Another fun read! Am trying to read the entire series. The Chamber of Secrets with all its horrors has been opened, perhaps by the Slytherin heir. Some think it's Harry Potter while others think it's Malfoy himself. 4 stars 12. Best or a Recommended Book for Girls: Divergent by Veronica Roth 4.5 stars Love this one. Whether I should rate this one at 4 stars or 5 is a tough call. Perhaps 4.5 stars would be better. I quite liked the book. It did remind me a bit of The Hunger Games series which is why I did not rate it at 5 stars. However, this heroine is outstanding in terms of bravery. The only attribute that bothered me was the need to be subservient to her lover, Tobias or Four as he is known to the Dauntless (brave) faction. Chicago is divided into five factions: Dauntless, Candor (honest), Amity (peaceful), Erudite (intelligent), and Abnegation (selfless) each of which supposedly follows a lifestyle devoted to the core value. Beatrice or Tris as she becomes known grew up in Abnegation but has always felt that she did not belong. She questions, she has strong opinions and values herself for who she is. When she turns 16 she must take a test to determine where she would best fit. Once she decides there is no turning back. The trouble is that she shows strong tendencies for both Abnegation and Dauntless. She is Divergent, a dangerous classification and she doesn't know why it is so. Nevertheless, she is determined to pass through the Dauntless initiation. Those who don't become factionless and lead a dreary life of toil and near starvation performing the lowest level of work in the city. As she struggles to pass all the tests she discovers that she is drawn to one of the teachers, Four. His nearness unsettles her but she gradually learns to trust him and follow his advice to pass through initiation without revealing that she is Divergent. Discovered Divergents are killed as they are viewed as a threat to the factions. Tris must also develop friendships as only friends can really protect her through initiation. As the story uncoils one jumps off running trains, jumps off high buildings, runs through the streets and finally fights in a war between factions with Tris. I am looking forward to the sequel. 4.5 stars Guidelines: A book has to be one you've never read before. A book may only be used once once on your List, but Multiple Books from the same Series can be used. Another alternative Mini-Challenge would be to Read Six Books in each Category, and which is 18 Books Total. Last Edited on: 1/12/13 1:29 PM ET - Total times edited: 240 |
|||
|
|||
Young Adult Reading Challenge Mini-Challenge Done November, 2012
Genre Categories Done for mini-challenge
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues Playing Hurt - done
Setting/Narrator Categories - Done for mini-challenge
1. Female protagonist Taken by Storm - done
Author/Award Categories Done for mini-challenge
1. Work by an author you have never read before Partials by Dan Wells - done
Guidelines: A book has to be one you've never read before. A book may only be used once once on your List, but Multiple Books from the same Series can be used. Another alternative Mini-Challenge would be to Read Six Books in each Category, and which is 18 Books Total. Last Edited on: 11/18/12 8:00 PM ET - Total times edited: 9 |
|||
|
|||
2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge The Full Challenge is 33 Books, and the mini Challenge is 12 or 18 Books Your ChoiceCategory (You may replace one of the Below Categories with a Category of your Choosing) Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues Forever Summer:: Alyson Noel Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles, Bk 1):: Kady Cross (finished 2/18/12) Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge)
1. Work by an author you have never read before The Maze Runner (Maze Runner, Bk 1):: James Dashner Last Edited on: 3/24/12 9:21 AM ET - Total times edited: 16 |
|||
|
|||
The Full Challenge is 33 Books, and the mini Challenge is 12 or 18 Books
Your Choice Category (You may replace one of the Below Categories with a Category of your Choosing)
Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues Miles from Ordinary: A Novel Author:
Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist
Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge)
1. Work by an author you have never read before Last Edited on: 6/10/12 9:58 PM ET - Total times edited: 2 |
|||
|
|||
Young Adult Reading Challenge (the Full and Mini Challenges are Below)
The Full Challenge is 33 Books, and the mini Challenge is 12 or 18 Books
Your Choice Category (You may replace one of the Below Categories with a Category of your Choosing)
Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Setting/Narrator Categories
1.
Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge)
1.
Guidelines: A book has to be one you've never read before. A book may only be used once on your List, but Multiple Books from the same Series can be used. Award Finalists are also fine for the Award Categories. Another alternative Mini-Challenge would be to Read Six Books in each Category, and which is 18 Books Total.
Have Fun with your Reading in 2012, and Good Luck! :-)
Last Edited on: 7/26/13 12:42 PM ET - Total times edited: 13 |
|||
|
|||
Not sure if I will be able to do all of them but I am for sure going to do the first challnege of Genre categories. I hope I can make it through them all but I also don't want to OD on YA literature and then feel a need to back away.
Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist (4/20/12) Article 5 by Kristin Simmons
Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge)
1. Work by an author you have never read before
Last Edited on: 4/23/12 8:27 AM ET - Total times edited: 8 |
|||
|
|||
I'm going to give this a shot...
Genre Categories
1. Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Setting/Narrator Categories
1. Female protagonist
Author/Award Categories (Also the Mini-Challenge)
1. Work by an author you have never read before Witch : Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguie 1/28/12 10. Title from a high school Reading List (Fiction or Non-Fiction)
11. Best or a Recommended Book for Boys Example Titles Last Edited on: 2/13/12 12:06 AM ET - Total times edited: 5 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||