Since Jenna is no longer reading YA I decided to do a challenge of my own.  Anyone can join me if they desire.  I plan to read at least ten of the twelve categories and I hope that I have provided for lots of freedom for myself and others.  If not, simply do a free choice under that specific category.

1.  Part of a series (Can be the first one if you choose:   Gifts by Ursula LeGuin, 3/2/2015, 4 stars, first in a series of three.

2.  Adventure:  The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera,8/11/2015, 5 stars.  This is a delightful tale about a Maori legend with a female heroine.

3.  Science fiction or fantasy:  Eve by Anna Carey (also a romance), 2/6/2015, 3.5 stars

4.  Historical fiction or historical:  The Squire, His Knight and His Lady by Gerald Morris, 3/3/2015, 3 stars for me and 4 stars for the very young YA reader, 

5.  Been on the shelf too long (over a year):  The Ashwater Experiment by Amy Goldman Koss, 5/18/2015, 4 stars.

6.  One of my favorite authors:  Hokey Pokey by Jerry Spinelli, 8/6/2015, 3.5 stars (An author discovered when I ordered a book called Eggs that was loved by a young member of our family.)

7.  Mystery or romance:  Elsewhere by   Gabrielle Zevin, 4/3/2014, 3 stars.

8.  Classical - FREE CHOICE:  Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan, 2/18/2015, 4 stars.  This is the first in an interesting new series about a fifteen-year-old who finds himself an apprentice to the revered Halt.  Very well done.

9.  Yup, I've been meaning to read it! Alanna, the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce, 8/12/2015, 5 stars.   Another winner by a talented writer whose characters are always appealing and realistic.  Most enjoyable. 

10.  Award winners or finalists - FREE CHOICE:  Matilda by Roald Dahl, 11/2015, 3 stars., She is aa precocious child whose parents fail to recognize her intelligence while they watch TV, make money, and priase their son.  Delightful and quick to read.

11.  I've forgotten (Rereads here):  Wolf by the Ears by Ann Rinaldi, 9/15/2015, 5 stars

12.  Anything goes (free choice):  You by Charles Benoit, 3/14/2015. 2 stars, (This read was disturbing for me.  No one seemed to understand fifteen-year-old Kyle Chase whose trek through those dreadful teenage years are fraught with problems.  He gets blamed for everything.)