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Wild Things YA Challenge #3:
Theme � Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

Here is our YA Reading Challenge #3! Thank you to everyone who helped develop the tasks! If anything needs further clarification, please feel free to ask on this board.

PLEASE NOTE: This thread is for a discussion of the tasks ONLY. Any changes to these tasks will be updated here, so check the date on this post. There will be a separate thread for everyone’s points as tasks are completed (which will open on the day the challenge starts).

Ground Rules:
1. The Challenge begins at 12:00 A.M. local time on 1 January 2010 [HAPPY NEW YEAR!:] and ends at 11:59 P.M. local time on 31 March 2010.
2. This Challenge is just for fun, so make sure you enjoy yourself and all the books you will be reading!
3. All books must be classified as Young Adult or Juvenile Fiction, unless otherwise noted in the task. If you local library classifies the book you chose as such, then the book may be included.
4. All books must be at least 100 pages long to count for any of the tasks, unless otherwise noted in the task.
5. Re-reads count, unless otherwise noted in the task.
6. Audio books and electronic books (unabridged), such as Kindle, all count for this Challenge. Page counts will be according to the GoodReads page count.
7. When reporting completion of tasks, please make note of the number of pages for the edition of the book you read. The Official Task/Page count total will be posted every Monday by 12:00 noon EST, as often as possible.

1.0 -- Official YA Challenge Section
1.05 Read any book discussed in any of the Discussion Folders at Wild Things and has less than 50 comments posted in its thread as of 1 January 2010, and then contribute to the discussion.
1.10 Read one of the group reads chosen during January, February, or March.
1.15 Read a book nominated but not selected for the group reads for January, February or March and post why you think the book should or should not be selected as a group read. This must be a book nominated by someone other than yourself.
1.20 Read a book rated 5 stars by a Wild Things member and in your review discuss why you selected the book and why you agree or disagree with the other member’s rating.
1.25 Read any two books from a Young Adult series.

2.0-- Reading (Note: Only books previously unread can be used for this section.)
2.05 Read a book from the Wild Things bookshelf (http://www.goodreads.com/group/booksh...) Wild Things Top YA Books List (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... ) or one of the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ YA Book Lists. The book must be by an author you have never read before.
2.10 Since February is Library Lovers Month, read a book recommended by your local or online YA librarian that has a librarian as a key character or where the library is a key place of action.
2.15 Read a book that has non-English words in the book or text; not necessarily in the title.
2.20 Read 2 books that have a word in the title that rhymes (e.g., The Call of the Wild and All American Girl: Call and All)
2.25 Read 2 books where each has won or was nominated a top state-issued young adult award from two different states; compare the books in your post/review and whether you think they were worthy of the award. You may consider the different award criteria for each state if you like. You may find the state has a booklist; any book on this list is eligible.

3.0 � Writing
3.05 Read a book in which the protagonist is a writer or wants to write; the book can also be about writers or storytellers.
3.10 Read a book with the word “The� in the title.
3.15 Read a book written in a non-narrative form.
3.20 Read 2 books, one that has a place name in the title and one that has a person’s name in the title.
3.25 Read 3 books (in total) with:
A subjective pronoun in the title (I, we, you, he, she, it, they, who)
An objective pronoun in the title (me, us, you, him, her, it, them, whom)
A genitive pronoun in the title (me, mine, our(s), your(s), his, her(s), its, their(s), whose)

4.0 � Arithmetic
4.05 Read a book that includes a mathematical term in the title, e.g., add, subtract, plus, minus, divide, etc. (The Dark Hills Divide)
4.10 Read a book with a number in its title.
4.15 Read a book whose title has the same number of letters as your age (+/- 10 letters/characters).
4.20 Read 2 books with consecutive number of words in the title (e.g., Speak and Catching Fire.
4.25 Read a book (total of 3 books) for each of the following criteria:
(a) Add up the number of letters in your FIRST and LAST names (Lydia Harris=11 letters) and read a book written by an author whose name contains the same number of letters (Susan Cooper) [Check for a list of young adult authors}
(b) Subtract the number of letters in your whole name [first, middle and last] from your age and read a book with that many letters in the title +/- 5 letters (e.g., Lydia Eato Harris =15 subtracted from 57 means I’m looking for a title between 37 and 47 letters).
(c) Multiply your age by the number of letters in your name [including your middle name is optional:] and read one or more books where the page total is approximately that number of pages (no less than 25 pages from your total).

50 Point Question: Total of four (4) books
(a) YA challenge: Read a book that has been turned into a movie.
(b) Reading: In honor of St. Patrick's Day, read a book that involves mythical beings, e.g., leprechauns, faeries, dragons, unicorns, centaurs.
(c) Writing: Read a book that has a compound word in the title, e.g., "The Truth About Forever" [for+ever}, "Wintergirls [winter+girls}.
(d)Arithmetic: Choose one of the books you read for a, b, or c above and open the book to page 19. Take the last two digits of your birth year (e.g., for 1965, use the 65)and find that number (65th) word down from the top of the page. Your task is to read a book with that word in the title. A one word leniency, either before or after, may be used. Of course, some books may have page 19 be either too short or blank; in that case just flip to the page before or after.

MANY, MANY thanks to our 50 point task creators: Diana and AngelaSunshine.

Lydia, these look so good. I'm so proud of my Challenge Queens that have continued to keep things rockin' here.

One question too, can you suggest any websites that might help us to find books for task 2.25?

State-issued awards are usually through the state chapter of the American Library Association. The national ALA site is a bit complicated but here is where you can start.

Try using the name for the ALA chapter, e.g., Illinois Library Association. They generally give their awards during their chapter conferences which are held throughout the calendar year. There is a state ALA chapter in all 50 states as well as regional or state affiliates (Missouri Association of School Librarians). At this site you will find the current listing of conferences and therefore the names of the various state chapters.

If you cannot find one in particular, please feel free to let me know (your Wild Things online librarian and ALA member) and I'll see what I can find.

EDIT: Looks good Lydia!

I have a couple questions...

For task 2.15 do you mean it has to have non-english words in the book, or in the title?

For task 2.20, do the rhyming words need to be the same number of syllables also? For instance, would you count "men" and "garden" as rhyming words?

Thanks. I'm sure more questions will come up as I continue to go through the tasks.

Would something from work for 2.25?

Does anyone have any suggestions for 3.5 and 3.15?

I can't think of anything right now...

3.5- Little Women Jo writes, A Northern Light Mattie wants to be a writer, or Dear Mr. Henshaw is written in letters.
3.15-Out Of The Dust, Love That Dog and Tricks are all in prose.

Hope it helps!

Jennifer W wrote: "3.5- Little Women Jo writes, A Northern Light Mattie wants to be a writer, or Dear Mr. Henshaw is written in letters.
3.15-Out Of The Dust, [b..."

Is that what is meant by non-narrative? Because Out of tje Dist is technically a narrative....

Oh, I was assuming, but perhaps not. In that case, I don't know...

I believe this entire book consists of instant messages, now that I've reviewed the description. I thought it was the first of a series as well, but not sure about that. ttyl

Linda Grace wrote: "I have a couple questions...

For task 2.15 do you mean it has to have non-english words in the book, or in the title?

For task 2.20, do the rhyming words need to be the same number of syllabl..."

I will amend 2.15 -- non-English words in the book are the intent.

For 2.20, the words need to rhyme but is not restricted by the number of syllables.

Linda Grace wrote: "Would something from work for 2.25?"

EVERYONE! Linda has found a great site for locating state awarded YA books.

Thanks Linda Grace!

Linda Grace wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions for 3.5 and 3.15?

I can't think of anything right now..."

Regarding 3.15, you can interpret this rather loosely. For me, a book in e-mails or instant messages (which really are a new form compared to traditional literary techniques) are different than the traditional narrative form and would work. If you check some of the folders, you will also locate books written as poetry. I'm blanking on the one I read for YA Challenge #2 that I was not fond of. Anyone remember?

Jennifer W wrote: "3.5- Little Women Jo writes, A Northern Light Mattie wants to be a writer, or Dear Mr. Henshaw is written in letters.
3.15-Out Of The Dust, [b..."

That does help! Thanks a bunch!! :)

Lydia wrote: "Linda Grace wrote: "Would something from work for 2.25?"

EVERYONE! Linda has found a great site for locating state awarde..."

Your Welcome!! :)

Laura wrote: " I believe this entire book consists of instant messages, now that I've reviewed the description. I thought it was the first of a series as well, but not sure about that. ttyl"

Thanks Laura. That is the first of a series that my sister has read. I will try those.

If anyone likes spreadsheets, here's one you can copy and paste!

Love the Spreadsheet Tanja! The totals at the bottom are very nice. :) thank you!

I'm super excited for this challenge. I'll start to plan after homework...hmmmmm

Here's my list for now. It will change once Group reads are decided because I have made a 2010 goal for myself to keep up with the group reads and so I am going to try to incorporate all of them if I can.

1.0 -- Official YA Challenge Section
1.5: Extras (31 comments for series)
1.10: TBD
1.15: TBD
1.20: Hush, Hush (5 *s by Kristen)
1.25: The Magician's Nephew, The Last Battle

2.0 -- Reading
2.5: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
2.10: Steinbeck's Ghost (recommended by my local librarian & it's a local book!!)
2.15: Skinny-Dipping (one of the main characters is Spanish speaking)
2.20: The Secret Garden, Little Men
2.25: Inkheart (Hawaii 2009), Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Vermont 09)

3.0 -- Writing
3.5: A Northern Light
3.10: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
3.15: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging Confessions of Georgia Nicolson
3.20: Looking for Alaska, Coraline
3.25: On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, The Horse and His Boy

4.0 -- Arithmetic
4.5: Instant Teen Just Add Nuts, Vol. 1
4.10: Thirteen Reasons Why
4.15: The Forest of Hands and Teeth
4.20: Prince Caspian, The Silver Chair
4.25: Prophecy of the Sisters, Jo's Boys, Shiver

Lydia, for 1.15 a nominated group read, but not chosen. Shouldn't this be a book not nominated by yourself? Then people will more likely read a book outside what they would normally read.

Tanja wrote: "If anyone likes spreadsheets, here's one you can copy and paste!

"

Tanja, this is beautiful! Thanks.

Jennifer wrote: "I'm super excited for this challenge. I'll start to plan after homework...hmmmmm"

Love that enthusiasm, Jennifer.

Linda Grace wrote: "Lydia, for 1.15 a nominated group read, but not chosen. Shouldn't this be a book not nominated by yourself? Then people will more likely read a book outside what they would normally read. "

Thanks, Linda. I am amending the task.

Oh, Linda, I LOVED Inkheart! Let me know what you think.

Sure no problem. I hadn't thought about the series until after my husband rented the movie and we both loved it. Shortly after, he bought me the series and I've been wanting to read it since.

Tanja wrote: "If anyone likes spreadsheets, here's one you can copy and paste!

"

Awesome- Thanks!

Hey, y'all (well, my mother was from Alabama!).

I would like to make a suggestion to each and every person who is enthusiastic about the challenge.

I would like you to reply to one person in the Introduction section and invite them to participate in the challenge. We all know this is a great way to find out about new books, new authors, and establish a relationship with classics. Let's introduce those new to the group about how we discuss and interact.

The challenge looks challenging! Awesome! I am really excited, and so is my friend who joined WT too late for the last one. We're already discussing how to share books but still beat each other's totals. lol...

BTW, I replied to two newbies. :-)

AngelaSunshine wrote: "The challenge looks challenging! Awesome! I am really excited, and so is my friend who joined WT too late for the last one. We're already discussing how to share books but still beat each other's t..."

Great Angela! This should be great fun and I'm glad you've found a way to share it. I must admit to feeling personally pleased. :>)

What a great idea Lydia!

I'm really looking forward to this challenge! I loved the first one, but life gave me some big challenges right in the middle of it. I haven't been able to read much over the last several months, but that will be changing now. This will be a very motivating way to get into reading again, yet not stressful like some other challenges I've done.

Thanks for the spreadsheet,Tanja. Very helpful!

I am about to embark on planning out this challenge.. For me the challenge is that YA is about 60% of what I read and my eyes are bigger than my stomach when joining groups. I belong to so many I am usually overwhlemed by my notifications and don't share or participate much. I decided this might focus me. I think my first task is to sort my books into folders minially of YA / Adult so I can look back and see if I can plan any rereads to accomplish some of this. It looks like the beginning parts of the challenge will encourage my participation more in this group, which is just the kick in the pants I need.I do enjoy lurking and this is one of the most active groups on goodreads.. and I love YA lit... I downloaded the spreadsheet ( Thanks Tanja!) Here I go ....

Hey, want an instant way to see how many books you have read? Try developing a Ticker



I put my ticker for the challenge on my Facebook page and my iGoogle homepage.

Holly wrote: "I am about to embark on planning out this challenge.. For me the challenge is that YA is about 60% of what I read and my eyes are bigger than my stomach when joining groups. I belong to so many I a..."

Holly, remember, our challenge is about fun. Don't worry about completion or anything. Feel free to just jump in and hang out with us.

(Says Lydia who is listening to Wicked Games and thinking how appropriate this song would be for The Hunger Games!)

Task 2.25 has been modified. After reviewing the state award sites, many put together book lists and many do not issue honor awards. Therefore, any book which appears on the state list is eligible to fulfill this task.

Holly wrote: "I am about to embark on planning out this challenge.. For me the challenge is that YA is about 60% of what I read and my eyes are bigger than my stomach when joining groups. I belong to so many I a..."

This will be fun Holly. I am a chronic sorter/organizer, and have to keep reminding myself to read the books not play with them! lol...

Lydia wrote: "Hey, want an instant way to see how many books you have read? Try developing a Ticker



I put my ticker for the challenge on my..."

I love this!!

What is way cool Angela is that you can make it how you want it - pages, number of books, number of points.

Lydia, can you clarify 2.05 for me? I read it to mean that regardless of which shelf or list you use to find the book, the book must be written by an author you've never read before. My friend said she understood that author stipulation to only apply if you are choosing from the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ YA Books Lists.

AngelaSunshine wrote: "Lydia, can you clarify 2.05 for me? I read it to mean that regardless of which shelf or list you use to find the book, the book must be written by an author you've never read before. My friend said..."

Great catch, Angela. I have edited the task. The book from any list must be by an author you have not read before.

I'll tell ya, developing this challenge has seriously reinforced my understanding of the importance of editing and punctuation!~ LOL

Lydia wrote: "State-issued awards are usually through the state chapter of the American Library Association. The national ALA site is a bit complicated but here is where you can start.

Try using the name for ..."

Since you are a librarian, and online... can you recommend any books to me for 2.10? :-) I saw the book Libyrinth and wondered if you've read it?

Angela,

No, I have not read it but it is now on my list, so I may use it for the challenge as well and we can compare notes.

Another I enjoyed was Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. It was great fun!

For 4.15, what should we do for this task if we have a birthday that will fall during the challenge? I'm guessing we'll go by our age at the start of the challenge?

Jamie, I am not going to dispute this! LOL All birthday people can pick their age. But hey, let me know when your birthday is (and all others) so we can celebrate. I'm really into virtual birthday celebrations.

I'm bringing the cake!

Sounds good! Thanks, Lydia! : )

I saw the new topic and was worried that I missed the start date! But now I see, the tasks are posted and we can plan our lists. Yay!

A book I read recently Here Lies the Librarian was a fun read, it would work for task 2.10.

Task 4.15 has been modified to allow a 10 character leeway. I discovered this could be difficult for those of us who have an age in the, uh, higher numbers.

Oh that's good. I had a hard time finding a book with 24 characters in the title, but there were a lot of titles with 23 characters. :)