YA Reading Challenge #1: Tasks & Discussion

[Liz]

Can you guys help me pick a book for challenge 20.4? I was born in 1988 and my brother was born in 1984. Any thoughts?

[Kristen]

I'm reading The Hero and the Crown for 1984. Otherwise, see my previous post.. that's the best way to hunt I think.

[Liz]

Thanks Kristen! Although actually as soo as I posted that and I realized Terry Pratchett's Discworld series has been out for quite a while, and that Wyrd Sisters was published in 1988. I've been told it's a good one ot start with. But The Hero and the Crown does sound interesting...

[Kandice]

I am not trying to win, but just to participate. Here is my Becky, Billion Books, BOMB created list:

30.1a- I Am the Messenger 357 pgs (Award: Children's Book Council of Australia)
30.1b- Looking for Alaska 256 pgs (Award: Printz Award, US)
30.2- The Graveyard Book 312 pgs
30.3- The Book Thief 552 pgs (Based on an actual event)

25.1a- Speak 198 pgs (Contemporary)
25.1b- Peeps / Parasite Positive 336 pgs (Fantasy)
25.1c- Dear Enemy 188 pgs (Classic)
25.3- Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson 256 pgs (Set in England)
25.4a- Uglies 425 pgs
25.4b- Pretties 384 pgs

20.1- Tuck Everlasting 144 pgs
20.2- Monster 288 pgs
20.3- Haters 368 pgs (Set in Southern California)
20.4- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh 240 pgs

10.3- The Lightning Thief 377 pgs

5.1- Stargirl 188 pgs
5.2- Daddy Long Legs ? pgs
5.3- Eyes of the Dragon 427 pgs
5.4- To Kill a Mockingbird 336 pgs

[Beth]

Kandice, you have some great books on there!

[Misty]

You all gave a lot of great tips. I had gone on my library website and did a call number search, and then reverse ordered the year and skimmed that way, but pickings weren't great...then, I remembered that I have this database of books that came with my childrens lit book from a class I took, and I believe you can search by year adn subject matter. (yay!) so I am going to dig that out and play with it later, after the mother's day-ing. So if it works, I will let you know, and if anyone is struggling to find a birth year book, send me the year and I will look it up in my database. :)

[Misty]

Heather wrote: "Hey Misty! I started on the The Goose Girl and am loving it! I hope you enjoy it too...let me know what you think when you get going on it :)

"
I started it last night and am loving it. I am familiar with the original story, so its interesting to see how she works the elements in.

[Kandice]

Beth wrote: "Kandice, you have some great books on there!"

Thanks. I gave Becky a list of the books I already own, but have not read, and she sent me Graveyard book, so it was all Becky!!! She's the best.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Listening to Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

[Becky]

*blush* Awww shucks! ;)

[Ashley]

Luann wrote: "Another suggestion for the new YA author task is Savvy by Ingrid Law. I've had a copy sitting here for several months just waiting for me to get to it - since even b..."

Awesome! Thanks for posting this! I have been trying to find a book I wanted for this task, and haven't had much luck, but since this is a Newberry Honor, that definitely makes me want to check it out. Thanks again!!

[Alexis]

Another new book by a new author is Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender. It's been getting good reviews from my GR friends. I used The Forest of Hands and Teeth for that task, which I really enjoyed.

[Luann]

Happy I could help, Ashley. We'll have to start a thread here for the book once we read it so we can discuss it.

[Ashley]

That's a good idea Luann. It would be interesting to know how many people read it, and what everyone thinks about it. I looked at it, and it looks really cute!

[Misty]

Quick question; for task 25.1 -- we read three books, talk about one: do we include all three books in the page count total, or just the one we discuss?

[[deleted user]]

You would include the total pages for all books read for that task. However, if a task only uses one book, then you can only count the total of one book (even if you've read two books that fit that category).

[Jennifer W, WT Moderator]

Good and bad news...
:( Well I feel stupid... My earlier post said that the book The Third Eye was new last year, but when I just went to look up the pages, it says 2007 (*my* copy says 2008). Oh well, it can be used as a different culture read or as a book where the parent-child relationship is key.
:) I was at a book sale today and found a great book from when I was a kid, Snow Treasure, written about WWII, *during* WWII... which would make it a classic! Yes!! (It's also based on a true story and would fit in about a zillion other catergories, too)
I'm loving this!

[Lisa Julianna]

Laura and Fiona,

I thought I would let you know I added a middle name to my name so that it would be easier to keep track of for points and such. That is whenever I get points on the board. LOL :~)

[[deleted user]]

Finally finished a book this month, although no points yet as it was part of a multiple book task, but added the book pages only on this thread...

30 POINT TASKS:
1. The Golden Compass/The Graveyard Book
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

25 POINT TASKS:
1. I Capture the Castle 5/11/09/Eldest/The Book Thief
2. Ink Exchange/The Au Pairs
3. A Great and Terrible Beauty
4. The Subtle Knife/ The Amber Spyglass

20 POINT TASKS:
1. The Princess Diaries
2. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
3. Evermore
4. Beyond the Chocolate War
5. The Book of Lost Things

10 POINT TASKS:
1. Bewitching Season
2. Pride and Prejudice (Laura)
3. The Secret Garden
4. The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

5 POINT TASKS:
1. Stargirl
2. Little Women
3. The Borrowers
4. A Little Princess

Total Points: 0/350
Total Pages: 352

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

Are YA books children books or young adult books? The Only reason I ask is because I think the book Where The Wild Things Are is a child book. I was just wondering, at my library we don't have a YA section, we have a Teen section, Children's section and adult section.

[Kristen]

YA stands for young adult, but this group also covers juvenile fiction as well as the challenges do.

[Laura]

Welcome Sarah, love your av by the way, and your cute random intro paragraph on your profile.

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

Thanks everyone! So I guess it is alright to take books from the Teen section at my library?

Laura - Thanks for the comment about my avatar. I just love cats and dogs and I wanted something to do with reading so I chose it. As far as my intro paragraph I forget what I wrote lol. I'll have to go check that out and if anyone has any images with cats and dogs reading please let me know!

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

Can someone please help me I am lost on a couple of these categories.

30 points - Task #1
25 points - Task #1
10 points - Task #3

I am sorry about this... it is just that I want to make sure I get the things right. Also does anyone know of any site that lists young adult authors?

[Kristen]

For 30.1 - look at Awards and pick one book from an award in one country (like the US) and one from an award in a different country (like Great Britain).

For 25.1 you can pick any three books that would fit in any of our genre threads posted. They have to all be different, so I picked a Historical Fiction, Fantasy, and Action/Adventure. You can choose one discussed under or find your own that fits in a type of genre.

For 10.3 you can just see what books have been discussed in a thread, find one that looks interesting and then read it.

[Slayermel]

I love challenges, I think I'm turning into a junkie :0)
But I'm signing up anyway :o)

[Slayermel]

Sooooo true ;op

[Alexis]

Sarah wrote: "Thanks everyone! So I guess it is alright to take books from the Teen section at my library?"

Yep, "Teen" is often used now instead of YA. So-called "Juvenile" fiction gets called a bunch of names, too, like Middle Grade or Young Reader.

[Luann]

Hey, Slayermel! Welcome!

[Slayermel]

He he Thanks Luann, It's amazing how many familiar faces are also in this group *big grin* :0)

[Natalee]

I just checked out the Points thread and everyone is doing so great! Awesome job! :)

[Laura]

Slayermel wrote: "I love challenges, I think I'm turning into a junkie :0)
But I'm signing up anyway :o)"

Another Shelf Challenge-r come to Wild Things! Welcome Slayermel!

[Becky]

Total Points: 30/350 (Edit: Forgot 30.1 was a 2-part task and counted the points and had to change it back.)
Total GR Pages: 608/9392
Total Actual Pages: 608/?

30.1- a) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Newbery Award US) 312 pg (Read: 05/15/09)
b)Watership Down by Richard Adams (Carnegie Award UK) 496 pg
30.2- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 320 pg
30.3- Maus I & II (based on an actual event: Holocaust) 304 GR pgs / 296 pgs actual (Read: 05/08/09)

25.1- a) Airman by Eoin Colfer (Action/Adventure) 432 pg
b) The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Classic) 240 pg
c) Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz (Fantasy) 283 pg
25.2- a) Sold by Patricia McCormick 263 pg
b) Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody 256 pg
25.3- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray 416 pg
25.4- a)Rebel Angels by Libba Bray 592 pg
b)The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray 832 pg

20.1- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 336 pg
20.2- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 552 pg
20.3- Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer (Set in Ireland, which I've always wanted to visit) 400 pg
20.4- Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden (Born in 1982) 234 pg
20.5- The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly 339 pg

10.1- Graceling by Kristin Cashore (New YA author, pub 2008) 471 pg
10.2- Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones (Fiona's push of course) 329 pg
10.3- The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordan 377 pg
10.4- Sounder by William Armstrong (Newbery Award 1970) 128 pg

5.1- Coraline by Neil Gaiman (#8 Added by Beth) 192 pg
5.2- I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith 352 pg
5.3- The Wakefields of Sweet Valley (Sweet Valley Saga) by Francine Pascal 352 pg
5.4- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 592 pg

[Jennifer]

I finished task 30.1 today. I read The Tale of Despereaux (USA) and Just in Case (UK). I enjoyed both books and thought that Despereaux was an awesome win for a childrens book. Just in Case was weird, but a good weird. It totally had the Catcher in the Rye feeling. I thought it also deserved an award, but def. for the older young adults. Its a read for the juniors/seniors in high school.

[Natalee]

So I was lookin for A Gathering Light to read as the UK award part of task 30.1 I couldnt locate in anywhere. It turns out that it was released in the US as A Northern Light. Which is great because after I located it, I remembered that I came across it awhile back and wanted to read it.

[Jennifer W, WT Moderator]

Natalee, I read a Northern Light a while back and enjoyed it. There are a few scenes that would require a slightly older YA reader, though.

[Becky]

Total Points: 35/350
Total GR Pages: 960/9392
Total Actual Pages: 951 Pgs

30.1- a) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Newbery Award US) 312 pg (Read: 05/15/09)
b)Watership Down by Richard Adams (Carnegie Award UK) 496 pg
30.2- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 320 pg
30.3- Maus I & II (based on an actual event: Holocaust) 304 GR pgs / 296 pgs actual (Read: 05/08/09)

25.1- a) Airman by Eoin Colfer (Action/Adventure) 432 pg
b) The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Classic) 240 pg
c) Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz (Fantasy) 283 pg
25.2- a) Sold by Patricia McCormick 263 pg
b) Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody 256 pg
25.3- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray 416 pg
25.4- a)Rebel Angels by Libba Bray 592 pg
b)The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray 832 pg

20.1- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 336 pg
20.2- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 552 pg
20.3- Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer (Set in Ireland, which I've always wanted to visit) 400 pg
20.4- Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden (Born in 1982) 234 pg
20.5- The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly 339 pg

10.1- Graceling by Kristin Cashore (New YA author, pub 2008) 471 pg
10.2- Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones (Fiona's push of course) 329 pg
10.3- The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordan 377 pg
10.4- Sounder by William Armstrong (Newbery Award 1970) 128 pg

5.1- Coraline by Neil Gaiman (#8 Added by Beth) 192 pg
5.2- I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith 352 GR pgs/ 343 pgs actual (Read 5/17/09)
5.3- The Wakefields of Sweet Valley (Sweet Valley Saga) by Francine Pascal 352 pg
5.4- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 592 pg

[Kathy]

Hi, quick question....I am new to this type of challenge with the points system and all. Can we do things more than once? For instance, I have started off by reading 2 books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, can I read 2 books in another series and get those points again? Or is it one time only?

[Becky]

One time only... Each book counts only for one task, and you can do each task only once. :)

[Kathy]

Ok, thanks, Becky. :)

[Becky]

Sure. (It would be nice if we could reuse that task though, I have a bunch of YA series books that I would love to read and "get credit" for!) ;)

[Kristen]

You'll just have to save them for the next challenge. ;)

[Becky]

I know... but that's hard!

[Kathy]

Especially when you're dying to read it now! lol

[Becky]

Yup!

[Kristen]

Or you could read them when you finish? As a prize to yourself? I tend to read outside the challenges that I do.

[Becky]

So am I... I'm currently reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns" which is not on either of the challenges I'm currently doing... but oh man, is it good!

[Ashley]

I love that book Becky! That and The Kite Runner are both amazingly fantastic!!

[Kathy]

I always read outside challenges! There is just so much that I wanna read! I'm currently reading Stephen King's Night Shift and some H.P. Lovecraft. Haven't decided what to read next for here, though. :)

[Alisha Marie]

30 Point Tasks
1. The Golden Compass and Stardust
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Beastly (Beauty and the Beast Retelling)

25 Point Tasks
1. What Happened to Cass McBride? (Mystery); Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac (Contemporary); School's Out - Forever (Action/Adventure)
2. TBD
3. Secret Keeper
4. Abarat, Book 1 Abarat; Abarat Days of Magic, Nights of War

20 Point Tasks
1. The Princess Diaries
2. TBD
3. The Thief Lord
4. The Truth About Forever (younger sis born in 2004)
5. The Sweet Far Thing

10 Point Tasks
1. A Curse Dark as Gold
2. Rebel Angels (5 star book from (G)Emma's Bookshelf)
3. The Book Thief
4. How I Live Now

5 Point Tasks
1. Graceling
2. To Kill a Mockingbird
3. Eragon (recommended by 15 year old cousin)
4. Donorboy A Novel

I just finished Rebel Angels for task 10.2 and I loved it. Although, I liked A Great and Terrible Beauty a bit more, Rebel Angels was definitely creepier and darker than the first book (which I liked). I'm starting to have so much love for the Gemma Doyle series, but now with only one book to go, I'm sad that it's going to be over for me. :(



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