Reading Challenge #7 - Tasks & Discussion

[Jennifer]

This challenge sounds like fun...I think I'll try this one : )

I guess that means I'm officially back here to goodreads...yay!

[Kellee]

Monthly challenge tasks for January, February, and March are posted! :)
Remember, you get 5 extra points for this challenge for each book that fits a monthly challenge.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...
Post #1- Rules
Post #2- Monthly tasks

[Kellee]

Do:

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
and
Publisher's Weekly Best Books of the Year

count as awards?

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

I think there is a difference to best book lists and awards. An award is usually the best out of all in that category and usually referred to as an award. I know publishers like to add "bling" to their books when displaying them...such as indicating a starred review or best book list but it is different than an award. Kristen - what are your thoughts?

[Ashley]

In past challenges, I feel like we've gone by what GR lists as an award. Is that different this time?

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

Ashley - I think the question is that GoodReads might list something but is it an award or just made a list of notable books? I usually only account actual awards so I would be interested in hearing Kristen's ruling on this one.

[Kristen]

I'm on the fence about this. I do think that publisher weekly and SLJ best books have some merit to them each year. And ALA has they top ten books they do in different areas. Let's go ahead and go by actual award winners and honors. Not everything is on goodreads either so a book may have won an award that is not labeled under awards. Goodreads is kind of like wikipedia.. there's a lot of people editing it and not everything crucial gets added on.

Any objections?

[Kristen]

I'm on the fence about this. I do think that publisher weekly and SLJ best books have some merit to them each year. And ALA has they top ten books they do in different areas. Let's go ahead and go by actual award winners and honors. Not everything is on goodreads either so a book may have won an award that is not labeled under awards. Goodreads is kind of like wikipedia.. there's a lot of people editing it and not everything crucial gets added on.

Any objections?

[Kellee]

Kristen- Would you let Calamity Jack count as fairy/folk tale retelling genre? Jack is from Jack and the beanstalk and Rapunzel is in it as well. I shelved it that way, but wanted to make sure you say it's okay.

[Kristen]

Definitely Kellee! :)

[Kellee]

Kristen wrote: "Definitely Kellee! :)"

Sweet! Then can I change my Calamity Jack to that genre please. I can use Graphic Novel somewhere else later :)

[Kristen]

Okie dokie, will do! :)

[Amy]

So for books with three authors, do we just pick one author to go by for the challenge? Can I pick the one that fits with a letter that I have not read yet?

[Kristen]

Yep! :)

[Amy]

Yay!

[Kristen]

The group read points are if you read the group book during the month it was a group read, the WT shelf points are if you read one of the older group reads. Thank you for clarifying. I must have missed someone claiming both.

[Ashley]

Heather, it is used in HS and I think it's been shelved both ways. That one often, I think, depends on who shelves it...

[Lydia]

Heather, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is very often on the banned list. I surely consider it YA, but there are libraries and schools that do not consider it so. It is about her youth and what happens, which isn't pleasant. My daughters' were very grateful when I had them read it when they were quite young. They felt it contributed to their development as young women. I believe it would probably be accepted here.

[Angela Sunshine]

The Los Angeles Public Library shelves it as "YA Classics". We've always used the rule here that if you can find it shelved as YA, then it counts.

[Kristen]

Yep, I agree, if you found it in a YA/Juv section, it counts. I'm going to work on updating right now. Sorry about my absence - life is getting in the way.

[Tarryn]

Where on GR can you find if a book has won an award, anyway?

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

Tarryn - The awards for a book are listed below the book description where the publishing information is for a book.

General question...what is the WT Top Novel list? Where do I find it? How is it different from the WT Bookshelf?

[Lydia]

Heather, Autobiographies are non-fiction and carry a Dewey Decimal numbere.

[Amy]

I think the WT list is that long list where everyone put down their favorites, right?

[Kristen]

Hi Heather, the problem with the Alex award is that they are technically adult books... but if you find that book in the YA section I will accept it.. and the award. Lists are mostly going to be magazine lists or "best" or "top". There are a few different awards that choose a certain amount of books.

[Kellee]

Kristen: 2 genre questions-

Would you count Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume as a classic? I know it is a childhood favorite of many, but it is a borderline one for classic... It was written in 1981 (we have Bridge to Terabithia listed as a classic and it is from 1977...) I am not sure- what do you think? [I am really trying to find one so I can do the whole alphabet and all the genres...]

Also, would you count The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan as poetry? 44 people have it listed that way...

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

Hmmm...I read The Dreamer it isn't written in verse though it is about Pablo Neruda. I wouldn't consider it poetry or a book in verse. What do you think Kristen?

[Kristen]

Hm to The Dreamer. I have a copy at school. I'll go with ALyson's judgement, they probably listed it because it's about the poet. If you would like, I can suggest some shorter book-in-verse:

Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli (wife to Jerry).
Shakespeare Bats Cleanup
Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs
Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate (LOVE this one, HIGHLY suggest it!)

I would consider Tiger Eyes as a classic.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

Also another good one is All the Broken Pieces is a good one.

And any of Lisa Schroeder's YA are written in verse and really quick reads. You might want to try I Heart You, You Haunt Me

[Kellee]

Thanks guys! :) Got the classic covered, but I may have to bail on the poetry (unless a book written in vignettes like Sold would count) because I don't have access to my classroom library and I don't have any poetry/books in verse here at home...

One more-
Does National Book Award Finalist count as an award? It is technically like an honor and I think you'd count Newbery honors...

Let me know.

[Kristen]

Yes that would work then Kellee. :)

[Kellee]

Which?
Sold
Or the National Book Award Finalist
Or both? :):):)

[Kristen]

lol National Book Award Finalist.. not Sold. Sorry, I obviously am not fully awake yet. More coffee maybe...

[Kellee]

Kristen wrote: "lol National Book Award Finalist.. not Sold. Sorry, I obviously am not fully awake yet. More coffee maybe..."

Yay, then poohy. Okay. Maybe I'll go to the library...

[Ashley]

Kellee, Ellen Hopkins writes in verse. Hers are all fairly large, but since it's all verse they read very quickly and she's amazing... Or, Sharon Creech has three super short, super cute books in verse- Love that Dog, Hate that Cat (related) and Heartbeat.

[Kellee]

Thanks Ashley :) I have a bunch of books in verse, but they are all at school and I am on spring break... I was trying to figure out one I could read that I have at home. A trip to the library may be in order :)

[Ashley]

Ah. Well, good luck!

[Kellee]

Ashley wrote: "Ah. Well, good luck!"

Thanks :) I'm mean it really isn't essential, but I am on a mission now ;-P

[Ashley]

Lol! Do it!!

[Kristen]

Library runs are so much fun though! :)