Middle Grade Madness! discussion
August MG Reading Challenge 2023
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August MG Reading Challenge Info/SIGN UP
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Kadi, Creator
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Jun 30, 2023 12:27PM


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A month-long, team-based reading challenge involving ONLY middle-grade books.
(Sign up link below)
My 4th year hosting!🎉 Can't believe we still keep coming back for more craziness! It always gives me something to look forward to in the year and I hope it does for you guys to.
(Sign up link below)
My 4th year hosting!🎉 Can't believe we still keep coming back for more craziness! It always gives me something to look forward to in the year and I hope it does for you guys to.
The Rules:
- Each team has 1 month to try and complete as many tasks as possible.
- 1 book read can fulfil 1 task ONLY.
- 1 task is worth 1 point.
- There are 100 tasks with each 5 tasks grouped into 20 different thematic categories.
- Tasks and categories can be completed in ANY order you as a team decide on.
- There are 5 bonus points for each category completed.
- There are also 10 bonus points for each category completed by 1 team member only.
- There are 20 bonus points for each category completed by 2 team members only.
- There are 30 bonus points for each category completed by 3 team members only; 40 points for 4 team members; and 50 points for 5 team members.
- Page points are also awarded depending on how many pages the book read is. Every 100 pages is equal to 1 page point. (Half points are not awarded so all the page numbers are rounded down to the nearest 100)
- The team with the most points at the end of the month wins!
An example of tasks from the category “Holiday”
1. Read a book with the word “Summer” in the title.
2. Read a book where the protagonist gets lost.
3. Read a book with the sun on the cover
The Bonus Tasks:
- There are 12 bonus tasks to be released on 15 August.
- The first 5 bonus tasks are worth 3 points each and completing all 5 bonus tasks is worth an extra 10 points.
- The second 7 bonus tasks are worth 5 points each and completing all 7 bonus tasks is worth an extra 15 points.
WHAT COUNTS AS A MIDDLE GRADE BOOK:
- Must be more than 100 pages long.
*For audio books*: The print edition must be more than 100 pages long.
*For graphic novels*: must be more than 150 pages long.
- Must be categorised as MG+ or MG on this website: https://www.arbookfind.com/
If it says LG or UG on the website it DOESN’T COUNT.
OR
Must be categorised as MY+ or MY on this website: https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/
If it says LY or UY on the website it DOESN’T COUNT.
- Only books started on/after 1st August count!
The Teams:
- Each team has 5 or 6 team members (subject to change depending on number of sign ups)
- Each team will have 1 Captain responsible for the tracking of the team.
- Each member must create a GR shelf called “mg challenge 2023” or “middle-grade challenge 2023” or some other variation and place all books they read for the challenge in that shelf. This is to help you and your Captain keep track of what you've read for the challenge.
- Teams are allocated not chosen and depend on the amount of time people have to read.
- Please make sure you all communicate and have fun!
- If you have any questions please ask your Captain who can then put the question to me on the Captain’s Chat.
Captain's responsibilities:
- Captains are in charge of editing and maintaining their team's spreadsheet.
- Captains are in charge of organising which book is applied to which task within their team.
- Captains should make sure that the info their members give them is correct, i.e. checking their members' GR challenge shelves to see when they started and finished the book, and checking the book counts as MG.
- Captains will be in charge of relaying info regarding questions between the moderator (me) and their team members.
- It's not a dictatorship! Remember to have fun with it and discuss with your team members as their ideas on what book should be applied to what task can be helpful.
*A word of advice:*
There are tons of tasks to complete. At first it will be easy to read whatever MG book you like and then apply it to a task that it fulfils.
After a while, when there are less tasks it will be harder, so it may be smarter to pick a book that can specifically fulfil one task.
This is just an idea... it's up to every team and their Captain to decide their strategy.
If you have any questions please ask below!! You should all receive a message by 23rd July to announce the team allocations. Please make sure you check in with your team Captain before 27th July otherwise you may be replaced or removed.
- Each team has 1 month to try and complete as many tasks as possible.
- 1 book read can fulfil 1 task ONLY.
- 1 task is worth 1 point.
- There are 100 tasks with each 5 tasks grouped into 20 different thematic categories.
- Tasks and categories can be completed in ANY order you as a team decide on.
- There are 5 bonus points for each category completed.
- There are also 10 bonus points for each category completed by 1 team member only.
- There are 20 bonus points for each category completed by 2 team members only.
- There are 30 bonus points for each category completed by 3 team members only; 40 points for 4 team members; and 50 points for 5 team members.
- Page points are also awarded depending on how many pages the book read is. Every 100 pages is equal to 1 page point. (Half points are not awarded so all the page numbers are rounded down to the nearest 100)
- The team with the most points at the end of the month wins!
An example of tasks from the category “Holiday”
1. Read a book with the word “Summer” in the title.
2. Read a book where the protagonist gets lost.
3. Read a book with the sun on the cover
The Bonus Tasks:
- There are 12 bonus tasks to be released on 15 August.
- The first 5 bonus tasks are worth 3 points each and completing all 5 bonus tasks is worth an extra 10 points.
- The second 7 bonus tasks are worth 5 points each and completing all 7 bonus tasks is worth an extra 15 points.
WHAT COUNTS AS A MIDDLE GRADE BOOK:
- Must be more than 100 pages long.
*For audio books*: The print edition must be more than 100 pages long.
*For graphic novels*: must be more than 150 pages long.
- Must be categorised as MG+ or MG on this website: https://www.arbookfind.com/
If it says LG or UG on the website it DOESN’T COUNT.
OR
Must be categorised as MY+ or MY on this website: https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/
If it says LY or UY on the website it DOESN’T COUNT.
- Only books started on/after 1st August count!
The Teams:
- Each team has 5 or 6 team members (subject to change depending on number of sign ups)
- Each team will have 1 Captain responsible for the tracking of the team.
- Each member must create a GR shelf called “mg challenge 2023” or “middle-grade challenge 2023” or some other variation and place all books they read for the challenge in that shelf. This is to help you and your Captain keep track of what you've read for the challenge.
- Teams are allocated not chosen and depend on the amount of time people have to read.
- Please make sure you all communicate and have fun!
- If you have any questions please ask your Captain who can then put the question to me on the Captain’s Chat.
Captain's responsibilities:
- Captains are in charge of editing and maintaining their team's spreadsheet.
- Captains are in charge of organising which book is applied to which task within their team.
- Captains should make sure that the info their members give them is correct, i.e. checking their members' GR challenge shelves to see when they started and finished the book, and checking the book counts as MG.
- Captains will be in charge of relaying info regarding questions between the moderator (me) and their team members.
- It's not a dictatorship! Remember to have fun with it and discuss with your team members as their ideas on what book should be applied to what task can be helpful.
*A word of advice:*
There are tons of tasks to complete. At first it will be easy to read whatever MG book you like and then apply it to a task that it fulfils.
After a while, when there are less tasks it will be harder, so it may be smarter to pick a book that can specifically fulfil one task.
This is just an idea... it's up to every team and their Captain to decide their strategy.
If you have any questions please ask below!! You should all receive a message by 23rd July to announce the team allocations. Please make sure you check in with your team Captain before 27th July otherwise you may be replaced or removed.

Sign ups are officially open!🎉
Sign up form: https://forms.gle/TdfrTC4Qcowp1Ed5A
Sign ups close on 20th July 2023
Teams will be announced on 23rd July 2023!
If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to share them below!
Hey everyone, so to those who have taken part last year or in previous years, it's pretty much the same this year.
The new thing is bonus points for completing a category INCREASE as more people contribute to each task which is the opposite of last year's (1 person completing a category got 10 points and 2 completing got 5 points). This is to promote our team theme and idea of togetherness. After all, this is a team competition so the more people who contribute, the more fun it is.
Bearing that in mind, teams will be bigger than last year and with less teams. So maybe 3 or 4 teams of 6 or 7 people. Spots aren't limited though, so please sign up if you are interested and have time to read at least 2 books in August!
The new thing is bonus points for completing a category INCREASE as more people contribute to each task which is the opposite of last year's (1 person completing a category got 10 points and 2 completing got 5 points). This is to promote our team theme and idea of togetherness. After all, this is a team competition so the more people who contribute, the more fun it is.
Bearing that in mind, teams will be bigger than last year and with less teams. So maybe 3 or 4 teams of 6 or 7 people. Spots aren't limited though, so please sign up if you are interested and have time to read at least 2 books in August!
@Eden your comment has disappeared sorry😭 But yes you can! Once you sign up, I'll put you down on the list as a potential captain if we don't get enough.
EdenB15 wrote: "Aw no why has it gone hehe thank u Kadi ur the best"
I was trying to reply to your comment and move my comment from one to other and then I pressed delete instead because they made the buttons so small and close and then I tried to undo it by going back and reloading it but it had gone😞
I just about saw it though so I think I got what you said about being a captain if we need one. You were a great captain! We would be lucky to have you back in that role.
I was trying to reply to your comment and move my comment from one to other and then I pressed delete instead because they made the buttons so small and close and then I tried to undo it by going back and reloading it but it had gone😞
I just about saw it though so I think I got what you said about being a captain if we need one. You were a great captain! We would be lucky to have you back in that role.


You're welcome! Anyway, can the captain be two of them? Or just one captain?
Patricia wrote: "Kadi wrote: "Yay thanks for signing up Patricia! I hope you enjoy it!"
You're welcome! Anyway, can the captain be two of them? Or just one captain?"
Just one captain for each team! We usually don’t get extra volunteer captains, there’s always either not enough or just enough people wanting to be captain. But if there are extras I guess we could have sub-captains, we’ll see.
You're welcome! Anyway, can the captain be two of them? Or just one captain?"
Just one captain for each team! We usually don’t get extra volunteer captains, there’s always either not enough or just enough people wanting to be captain. But if there are extras I guess we could have sub-captains, we’ll see.

Jeyhun wrote: "..."
Don’t come on my group to spread hate. That member you talk of has been on this group for a long time now and she has always been lovely. They are a genuine and serious reader. I suggest you leave the group or apologise to them for the disrespect. If you can’t take criticism then don’t share the name of your book.
This is not a platform for hate, this is a sign up page for a challenge I’ve worked hard to put together and I and others are excited for.
This is unacceptable behaviour.
Don’t come on my group to spread hate. That member you talk of has been on this group for a long time now and she has always been lovely. They are a genuine and serious reader. I suggest you leave the group or apologise to them for the disrespect. If you can’t take criticism then don’t share the name of your book.
This is not a platform for hate, this is a sign up page for a challenge I’ve worked hard to put together and I and others are excited for.
This is unacceptable behaviour.
Jeyhun wrote: "I will delete and leave the group. I did not want to make disrespect to you. I just wanted to..."
*I have deleted all slanderous comments and removed this member from the group.
Sorry guys, I really don’t have time for drama, I’m just here to read awesome books with you all! Very excited for this challenge!*
*I have deleted all slanderous comments and removed this member from the group.
Sorry guys, I really don’t have time for drama, I’m just here to read awesome books with you all! Very excited for this challenge!*
Chara's Craftsations wrote: "I'm ready, I'm ready I want those books! Looking forward to doing it again this year...It's been a year already?😅"
I know, I can’t believe it’s been a year already! Time flies by so fast!
I guess this means I have to get some books ready in anticipation.
Also, not sure if you saw any of these comments earlier and they’re so not worth anyone’s time, but I just want to apologise to you and everyone too as a mod of the group because it’s unacceptable behaviour and no one should have to deal with that here or anywhere. Hopefully that guy never comes back or approaches anyone outside of the group because it’s really unnecessary!
I know, I can’t believe it’s been a year already! Time flies by so fast!
I guess this means I have to get some books ready in anticipation.
Also, not sure if you saw any of these comments earlier and they’re so not worth anyone’s time, but I just want to apologise to you and everyone too as a mod of the group because it’s unacceptable behaviour and no one should have to deal with that here or anywhere. Hopefully that guy never comes back or approaches anyone outside of the group because it’s really unnecessary!

So happy you continue this challenge, Kadi! <3 Sharing all the love to everyone here ^_^

I look forward to this every year now :)
I said on my form 1 - 2 because I at least read that many books but if a graphic novel on my TBR fits a prompt itll be 3 books. But for sure at least 1 or 2.
Little_Reading_Wizard wrote: "I can't wait!!! I did sign up :)"
Yay !🙌🏻
Dana wrote: "Wooo! I have been waiting for this! It's my third time this year in this challenge and now that I have certain ideas, I think I might want to apply for the Captain role, hehe.
So happy you continu..."
I noticed that you signed up with wanting to be a captain and I thought it was awesome! I think it’s the same for Audrey too. It’s super cool because you’re familiar with challenge now but it will bring a new element to it for the first time for you guys. I think you’ll both be great at being captain as well!
Yay !🙌🏻
Dana wrote: "Wooo! I have been waiting for this! It's my third time this year in this challenge and now that I have certain ideas, I think I might want to apply for the Captain role, hehe.
So happy you continu..."
I noticed that you signed up with wanting to be a captain and I thought it was awesome! I think it’s the same for Audrey too. It’s super cool because you’re familiar with challenge now but it will bring a new element to it for the first time for you guys. I think you’ll both be great at being captain as well!
AurorainBookland wrote: "Sign ups close on 20th August 2023 I think you mean July"
lol I was trying to do some time travel there😂 I said 20th July everywhere except here on the main page. Thanks for telling me though, I’ve changed it now.
Also it’s fine about the graphic novels, I’ll keep it in mind when assigning teams. Any amount you read is fine as long as you read one or two of anything.
The bonus tasks are the hardest ones to come up with! There’s a fine line between challenging and impossible and I have to tiptoe it with the bonus tasks. Still putting them together right now but I’ve got time yet.
lol I was trying to do some time travel there😂 I said 20th July everywhere except here on the main page. Thanks for telling me though, I’ve changed it now.
Also it’s fine about the graphic novels, I’ll keep it in mind when assigning teams. Any amount you read is fine as long as you read one or two of anything.
The bonus tasks are the hardest ones to come up with! There’s a fine line between challenging and impossible and I have to tiptoe it with the bonus tasks. Still putting them together right now but I’ve got time yet.

You're welcome! Anyway, can the captain be two of them? Or just one captain?"
Just one captain for each tea..."
Thanks for telling me! I already planned my books for August and I'm really excited to read them:) I hope you guys are excited too!

@Patricia It depends on the number of people who sign up. Last year we had 6 teams of 5 people each because I thought the more teams we would have, the more fun it would be, but then in each team there were some people who went AWOL and then the teams became unbalanced and I think one team had like only 3 members actually participating so it was harder for them.
Funnily enough though, in 2019 we had 3 teams of 5 people each and people excelled so much that I’m pretty sure 2 teams finished all the tasks before the end of the month! There are 100 tasks!
Anyway, long story short, it’s very hard to judge how the teams are going to be in advance. But this year I’m hoping to have 4-6 teams of 6 or 7 people each. I assign teams depending on how much time people have to read so there may even be teams of 8, we’ll have to wait and see...
Funnily enough though, in 2019 we had 3 teams of 5 people each and people excelled so much that I’m pretty sure 2 teams finished all the tasks before the end of the month! There are 100 tasks!
Anyway, long story short, it’s very hard to judge how the teams are going to be in advance. But this year I’m hoping to have 4-6 teams of 6 or 7 people each. I assign teams depending on how much time people have to read so there may even be teams of 8, we’ll have to wait and see...

oh, I guess it's going to have a lot of teams this August. 100 tasks is a lot and I think it's hard for them to finish. Maybe there are some readers who read a lot of books in a month and there are some light readers so I guess that's why the teams are unbalanced. So, after the team finished a task at the end of the month, do they get prizes or free books?
Here you go Michelle:
https://forms.gle/TdfrTC4Qcowp1Ed5A
I think the mobile app hides it because of the weird formatting with the picture.
Anyway, sign ups close 20th July and teams are announced 23rd July!
https://forms.gle/TdfrTC4Qcowp1Ed5A
I think the mobile app hides it because of the weird formatting with the picture.
Anyway, sign ups close 20th July and teams are announced 23rd July!
@Patricia alas, there’s no real prize except the pride of being in the team that gets the most points, and maybe bragging rights for a year?😂

lol I was trying to do some time travel there😂 I said 20th July everywhere except here on the main page. Thanks f..."
Your welcome. Cool.

I think that might have been my team, it was rough for sure. Hope it goes better this year. Adding extra people in case something unexpected happens and some have to leave/cant read as much is a good idea, life happens I totally get that. So happy youre doing bigger teams.

Yup. Ive seen challenges give various emojis to copy onto your profile so maybe that can be a prize?

Oh! I get it now😅😅Thanks for telling me Kadi!
AurorainBookland wrote: "Kadi wrote: "@Patricia alas, there’s no real prize except the pride of being in the team that gets the most points, and maybe bragging rights for a year?😂"
Yup. Ive seen challenges give various em..."
That’s a really cool idea! I’ll look into it, but no guarantee on that.
Yup. Ive seen challenges give various em..."
That’s a really cool idea! I’ll look into it, but no guarantee on that.
AurorainBookland wrote: "I think that might have been my team, it was rough for sure. Hope it goes better this year. Adding extra people in case something unexpected happens and some have to leave/cant read as much..."
Yeah I think that was one of the biggest problems during last year’s challenge that I made a note of immediately to do differently this year. That, and the tasks were a bit too hard last year. This year’s tasks are less hard but still interesting and different from any of the previous challenges.
Yeah I think that was one of the biggest problems during last year’s challenge that I made a note of immediately to do differently this year. That, and the tasks were a bit too hard last year. This year’s tasks are less hard but still interesting and different from any of the previous challenges.


Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "I think that might have been my team, it was rough for sure. Hope it goes better this year. Adding extra people in case something unexpected happens and some have to leave/..."
Yay! Last years were too challenging.

Mannat wrote: "is there going to be a winning team and if so will there be a prize for the winning team (I'm trying not to be materialistic I joined already i'm just kind of competitive) 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍"
The answer to your question is in the rules and a few comments above too. If you’ve signed up, please make sure you’ve read all the rules!
The answer to your question is in the rules and a few comments above too. If you’ve signed up, please make sure you’ve read all the rules!
AurorainBookland wrote: "Yay! Last years were too challenging."
lol I went a bit overboard, didn’t I😂 don’t worry they are better this year!
lol I went a bit overboard, didn’t I😂 don’t worry they are better this year!
Ilsen wrote: "I’m debating participating because I was one of the people who went AWOL last year! I was so sad. I was reading a middle grade book but I only finished it in December because I was taking care of m..."
It’s just one of those things that you can’t anticipate. If you think you’ll have time to read at least 2 books then I say join in. Audiobooks and graphic novels count too!
It’s up to you though and you’ve got time to think about it so maybe wait and see how you feel a bit later on.
It’s just one of those things that you can’t anticipate. If you think you’ll have time to read at least 2 books then I say join in. Audiobooks and graphic novels count too!
It’s up to you though and you’ve got time to think about it so maybe wait and see how you feel a bit later on.
Lynn wrote: "Me too, Ilsen. I was getting over COVID last year and left my team high and dry."
Aaw it’s a little sad for the team but your health is definitely more important. And you can’t plan for things like that that just pop up. I think with bigger teams it should be less of an issue if someone needs to bow out or take a break.
Will you be taking part this year Lynn?
Aaw it’s a little sad for the team but your health is definitely more important. And you can’t plan for things like that that just pop up. I think with bigger teams it should be less of an issue if someone needs to bow out or take a break.
Will you be taking part this year Lynn?

I'm in the same boat. Don't know how many books I'll be able to read. Bus it does sound fun!!!


the rules say nothing about a prize...
and I'm sorry if this comes off as rude because these are not my intentions while writing this reply but I would appreciate it if you could be a bit nicer as every comment of mine that u have replied to your comment keeps sounding like you are angry or trying to be a bit rude again I have told you I am new and am not sure of certain rules of the group and I didn't mean to break any of the rules 😭😭😭😭😭😭