2011 Teens' Top Ten Reading Challenge!

The Teen's Top Ten nominees have been announced & there are some very exciting nominees this year. First, a little history. Every year, YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association) polls 16 book clubs around the country about what books they think should make the list of the best teen books published in the last year. The nominees are announced on Support Teen Literature Day during National Library Week in April & the voting takes from late August to early September. The winners are announced during Teen Read Week, which will be October 16-22 this year & have the theme Picture It @ your library.

This year there are 25 nominees that teens (12-18) can vote on between August 22nd and September 16th. If you want more information on any of these events, please visit the YALSA website.

The 2011 nominees are:

Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
Drought by Pam Bachorz
I Am J by Cris Beam
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Lies by Michael Grant
Love, Inc by Yvonne Collins
Matched by Ally Condie
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Red Moon Rising by Peter Moore
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
The False Princess by Ellis O'Neal
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin
Zombies vs. Unicorns by Holly Black & Justine Larbalestier
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

See some familiar names up there? That's because in order to be nominated, the book has to have been released within the last year, so some of them have been out for a bit. Because I like to read as many of them as possible so that I can recommend them to my teens during the summer and fall to gear up for voting, I thought it would be fun to make it into a challenge to see who else would like to join me! Since I'm (sadly) over 18, I can't vote, but I still feel like a part of it all when I read the books. There are 3 different levels to the challenge.

Wallet: Reading 1-8 books

Frame: Reading 9-17 books

Canvas: Reading 18-26 books

Get it, "Picture It" & picture sizes? I'm a dork, I know.

The deadline is September 16th as that is the last day of voting. I will be giving away a prize pack of books to one lucky person in each category. Simply sign up using the Mister Linky below. Your post should contain a link back to the challenge, your level choice, and the books that you've read to complete the challenge. Since some of these books came out in 2010, if you have already read the book, you can still consider it in the challenge. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REVIEW THE BOOKS IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED, you simply have to keep your post updated once you've read the book. Many of these books can fit into other challenges that are in the blogosphere like the Debut Authors Challenge hosted by The Story Siren or the 111 in '11 Reading Challenge hosted by Life is Short, Read Fast.

There will be book pack prizes for completion! If you complete the challenge by September 16th then you be entered to win a prize pack of books. There will be 1 winner in each category. Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck!



P.S. No you don't have to leave a comment after linking, but they're always welcome!

Teen Read Week is here!

I am super-excited for Teen Read Week! Sadly as my library is closed for renovations my awesome Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings-based game night had to be put on hold. I'll get to break it out another time, but that doesn't mean that I'm not still spreading the word.

From October 18-24th, libraries across the nation will be celebrating everything that is teen reading. This year's theme is "Read Beyond Reality." Now while that might have a very "sci fi/fantasy" sound to it, that is not necessarily the case. I like to think that encouraging teens to read things "out of this world" can mean anything from sci fi, to fantasy, to dyspotic universes, to absolutely phenomenal classics!

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has been hosting this even since 1998 encouraging teens to explore other entertainment options besides video games and movies. There are events going on all week at local libraries and events that last even longer, or are more national, online.

Check out these hot spots of information:
WrestleMania Reading Challenge : A reading challenge that extends beyond Teen Read Week where you can win prizes.
Teens' Top Ten: A vote was taken earlier this year of the top ten books that have come out in the last year for teens. The winners are announced during Teen Read Week.
Wake County Public Libraries Teen Reading Lists: There are a plethora of lists on this website that can be used as a great jumping ground to find out what you like and some suggestions of books to read.

Enjoy your fun-filled reading week and be sure to thank your event organizers if you go to any events!