The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
SPRING CHALLENGE 2013
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50.1 - Ms Anderson's task: Two Truths and a Lie
Sandy wrote: "Peebee wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Everything to do with genres is subjective - GR is a crowd sourced website. However, setting up a "you shelve it for me, I'll shelve it for you," is really no different..."I completely agree about not messing with the given genres, but I do think it's become a big problem. It was first apparent with the YA books being labeled "children's" when the new rule was instituted, but it's also an issue here. I've disagreed with genres even among all the grown-up books I read for this spring challenge. One book I read was labeled "YA" because it's part of the high school canon, not because that was the author's intended audience.
It's one of the, uh, interesting things about this site. Genre lists on the side of the page are good fodder for task, but they can be incredibly frustrating when books aren't shelved the way they SHOULD be.
Sheila wrote: "Nice task as always Ms. Anderson. I never had any doubt it would be. Here is what I found.1. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham - I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up just like Perry..."
Yup! All of these books will work.
Ms Anderson wrote: "It was first apparent with the YA books being labeled "children's" when the new rule was instituted, but it's also an issue here. "Ms. Anderson, if you know of some of those, can you point them out? I read a fair amount of Young Adult...but I'm really struggling with this genre because I didn't read it when it was age-appropriate. Much to my mother's dismay, I was already reading Harlequin romances, V.C. Andrews, John Updike, and Jean Auel starting at about 9 or so, as well as the classics that always seem to end up on banned book lists. So if we're stuck with the consequences of mislabeling, I'd like to read a YA or adult-oriented book that someone has labeled as "children's."
I'm not trying to be critical of the task...I just honestly don't know what kids that age are supposed to be reading, and I really don't care for science fiction/fantasy/magical realism types of books (which is a lot of what seems to be coming up.) And the first several I looked up using the genre tool didn't even work....it would say they were the most read books in that genre but then the genre wouldn't be listed on the book's home page?! It just doesn't seem right that would happen.
Lots of books on this list are labeled for middle grades. http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/16...I typed in nine year olds on the search in listopia and found several others as well.
Peebee wrote: "Ms Anderson wrote: "It was first apparent with the YA books being labeled "children's" when the new rule was instituted, but it's also an issue here. "Ms. Anderson, if you know of some of those, ..."
I was the same way, only I was reading "adult" fantasy and science fiction, mostly, as well as classics. I was shocked when, at 10, there was a random sex scene in one of the books I was reading!
But being a teacher has made me more aware of audiences and such. It's not really a matter of what kids are "supposed" to read, but rather what catches their interest. My kids are all over the map when it comes to what they pick, so I have to know a wide variety of books to recommend.
I'll need to go digging again--for this challenge, I tried to read books written for adults that didn't have YA mentioned. Much of the canon (all those "dead white guys" everyone reads in high school) were labeled "High School," even though they were written originally for adults to read. As for specific examples, off the top of my head I remember The Outsiders having "childrens" listed, and it's definitely not something I'd hand to someone in elementary school, even if it's not really that violent compared to television nowadays. The Chocolate War also has "childrens" listed, and I could get in trouble for recommending that to my sixth graders given some of the more mature content.
I'd need to go through my lists for other examples--I wrote some of them down when I was book-hunting. I think I still have all those papers...
You might like The Running Dream if you want something more YA and realistic fiction. Some of the middle grade historical fiction and non-fiction is well-done, too. You can also go with the classics that are labeled middle-grade: Betsy-Tacy (you can start with the 5th book and not miss too much, I think) and the Little House books are labeled Middle Grade.
Ms Anderson wrote: "Peebee wrote: "Ms Anderson wrote: "It was first apparent with the YA books being labeled "children's" when the new rule was instituted, but it's also an issue here. "Ms. Anderson, if you know of ..."
Thanks, Ms. Anderson...those are some good ideas. I also just scanned some banned book lists...figuring that the reason some of them get banned is because someone thinks they're too adult for their intended audience.
I love this task!! I have a 9 year old daughter and she recommended Mission Unstoppable(which she recently read for her book club) and Jake and Lily. Could I please have these approved?
Jennifer wrote: "I love this task!! I have a 9 year old daughter and she recommended Mission Unstoppable(which she recently read for her book club) and Jake and Lily. Could I please have these approved?"Both are approved :D
Found a couple more with Middle Grade on them for those who are interested: Blubber
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Plus most of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series are listed as Middle Grade, and they're fun reads!
I've also been surprised by the many books I've looked up, knowing they're for middle grade readers, but finding they're not shelved as such. This has made me think more about the way I shelve books. Here are some books shelved as Middle Grades that I've truly enjoyed as an adult
Pop - excellent story of high school football player and former pro who got hit one too many times
Freak the Mighty
Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie
The Invention of Hugo CabretWonderstruck
Hero
Saving Zasha - a really surprisingly good read about children in the Soviet Union after WWII
Moon Over Manifest
Holes
Powerless - this is a particular favorite.
The City of Ember
The People of Sparks
Nick Of Time- good time travel
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Al Capone Shines My Shoes
It's not that they are not shelved as Middle Grade. It's just that they are shelved as something else too and those other genres are taking precedence in the main page.I have a book on my TBR that was shelved Middle grade by 122 people and that still not showing up on the main page because other genres that are also appropriate were used by other people.
Ms Anderson wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I love this task!! I have a 9 year old daughter and she recommended Mission Unstoppable(which she recently read for her book club) and Jake and Lily. Could I please have these ap..."Thanks!!
Hi Ms. Anderson,Great task. I had so much fun with the idea that I HAD to pick out middle grade books. I'm reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret, When You Reach Me, and White Fur Flying. Could I get White Fur Flying approved in case Middle Grades disappears? There are not too many shelvers of that book yet.
Lindsey wrote: "Hi Ms. Anderson,Great task. I had so much fun with the idea that I HAD to pick out middle grade books. I'm reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret, When You Reach Me, and White Fur Flying. Could I g..."
Approved!
I'm hoping to read Gathering Blue, Son, and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I'm not worried about the last two, but Gathering Blue has 'Middle Grade' listed last with only 39 users, so I'm hoping to get that one approved in case it disappears. :)
Kate wrote: "I'm hoping to read Gathering Blue, Son, and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I'm not worried about the last two, but Gathering Blue has 'Middle Grade' listed last with only 39 users, so I'm ho..."Approved!
Here are some non-fantasy Middle Grade books for those not into fantasy:
is another good one that is not fantasy.
pity that Narnia books are not middle grade genre as Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia would be perfect as my son name is Caspian :(well I will look for something from approved books post :)
D.G. wrote: "Here are some non-fantasy Middle Grade books for those not into fantasy:"Perfect -- I have been dying waiting for Carl Hiassen's next adult book...this will help me make do!
Today - April 19 - the genre Childrens > Middle Grade is listed as the last genre on the first page. I'm mentioning this now just in case
Boom! by Mark Haddon
shifts the genre Childrens > Middle Grade to the second page between now and when I'm ready to post fulfillment of 50.1
Peebee wrote: "Perfect -- I have been dying waiting for Carl Hiassen's next adult book...this will help me make do! "I've never read one of his books. Maybe I should give this one a try!
I've found this freebie at Amazon that fits this task - at least for now because not many people have shelved it.
It seems to have decent reviews!
I was sort of hoping for an excuse to re-read my obscure old favourite The Adventures of Endill Swift, but as it doesn't have the appropriate shelving, it won't qualify? (Just making sure!)
I do a weekly activity with 8-11 year old girls and asked them for recommendations. One immediately suggested Love, Aubrey and the whole group chorused approval. This currently shows Middle Grade. Another mention that met with less unanimous, but still strong group approval was the Sisters Grimm books. I checked only the first one and it does have Middle Grade genre on the first page.
Jennifer wrote: "I love this task!! I have a 9 year old daughter and she recommended Mission Unstoppable(which she recently read for her book club) and Jake and Lily. Could I please have these approved?"I thought that was so cute! (Your daughter recommending you books!) It really made me smile. ;)
Deedee wrote: "Today - April 19 - the genre Childrens > Middle Grade is listed as the last genre on the first page. I'm mentioning this now just in case
Boom! by Mark Haddon
shifts th..."
Approved (middle grade is still on the main page)
D.G. wrote: "I've found this freebie at Amazon that fits this task - at least for now because not many people have shelved it.It seems to have decent reviews!"
Approved (just in case it changes dramatically)
Karina wrote: "I was sort of hoping for an excuse to re-read my obscure old favourite The Adventures of Endill Swift, but as it doesn't have the appropriate shelving, it won't qualify? (Just making sure!)"Yes, unfortunately if it doesn't have Middle Grade listed, it won't work. Maybe it'll work for another task?
Evana wrote: "I do a weekly activity with 8-11 year old girls and asked them for recommendations. One immediately suggested Love, Aubrey and the whole group chorused approval. This currently shows Middle Grade..."I LOVE the Sisters Grimm books! So much fun, and very good fairy tale mash-ups/retellings. They're decent mysteries, too.
Would The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants work? It's last genre on the main page is Childrens > Middle Grade.
Bea wrote: "Would The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants work? It's last genre on the main page is Childrens > Middle Grade."Approved!
D.G. wrote: "I thought that was so cute! (Your daughter recommending you books!) It really made me smile. ;)"Awwww thanks!!! I'm lucky...all 3 of my kids like to read. We try to get to the library weekly!
Here are some more 'middle grade' choices that might work. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Chasing Lincoln's Killer
King of the Wind
Skellig
Storm Runners
A Monster Calls
My Side of the Mountain
The Tale of Despereaux
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Hatchet
Jacob Have I Loved
Gossamer
The Girl Who Owned a City
The Boy Who Lost His Face
The Magician's Elephant
Walk Two Moons
The Higher Power of Lucky
Because of Winn-Dixie
Notes from the Dog
Ms Anderson wrote: "Approved (just in case it changes dramatically)"Thanks, Ms. Anderson! I'm not sure if I'll get to it but it's good to know I can use it all the same.
Everytime somebody posts new books, I want to change my mind as to what to read!
First, clarification, if the shelf says "childrens-middle school" we are good, no page restrictions as long as it is at least 100 pages?Second, then these would work,
Milkweed
100 Cupboards
Kristine wrote: "First, clarification, if the shelf says "childrens-middle school" we are good, no page restrictions as long as it is at least 100 pages?Second, then these would work,
Milkweed
100 Cupboards"
Both of them have Middle Grade listed, so both will work. Enjoy!
May I please have these two books approved? I want to make sure they will still be okay after I get them read. I found them both as free kindle books on Amazon today.
by Steven J. Carroll. This has children's - middle grade as the first genre listed. 
by Bill Myers. This has middle-grade listed third.
Deanna wrote: "May I please have these two books approved? I want to make sure they will still be okay after I get them read. I found them both as free kindle books on Amazon today.[bookcover:In the Window Room..."
Both approved.
Both approved. Great, thank you. I now have all 3 books I need, I also got
for free today.
The Princess and the Goblin presently has Childrens > Middle Grade listed as the last one on the first page of genres. I'm mentioning it now just in case it shifts to the second page between now and when I'm ready to post fulfillment of 50.1
Deedee wrote: "The Princess and the Goblin presently has Childrens > Middle Grade listed as the last one on the first page of genres. I'm mentioning it now just in case it shifts to the second page between now ..."And it's approved just in case :D
Can all three books come from the same author/series?
Samantha wrote: "Can all three books come from the same author/series?"As long as they all have Middle Grade listed and you can find two truths and a lie that go with them, then yes.
Ms Anderson wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Can all three books come from the same author/series?"As long as they all have Middle Grade listed and you can find two truths and a lie that go with them, then yes."
Thank you!
I'm planning on reading The Lightning Thief, Hoot & Chomp.Can I get the last 2 approved please just in case they slip off the front page?
Sam wrote: "I'm planning on reading The Lightning Thief, Hoot & Chomp.Can I get the last 2 approved please just in case they slip off the front page?"
All approved!
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Jacob Have I Loved (other topics)Walk Two Moons (other topics)
Dear Mr. Henshaw (other topics)
Dragonbreath (other topics)
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Steven J. Carroll (other topics)Bill Myers (other topics)
Mark Haddon (other topics)
1. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham - I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up just like Perry Mason.
2. Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume - Same name as me
3. Judy Moody by Megan McDonald - best friend in middle school was named Judy.
I think those should all work.