Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Announcing The Shelf Discovery Challenge

I have been searching for the "perfect" challenge for months now, and I think I finally found it -- the Shelf Discovery Challenge! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to host my first challenge, and I think it's just a perfect fit for me and my blog.

As a mother of a middle grade daughter, a member of a mother-daughter book club, and a lover of middle-grade and young adult fiction, I was just thrilled when I "discovered" a new book by Lizzie Skurnick called SHELF DISCOVERY: THE TEEN CLASSICS WE NEVER STOPPED READING. If you haven't seen this book yet, then you are definitely missing out because it's a wonderful read. SHELF DISCOVERY is a book that takes me back to my childhood because it features many of the books that I loved as a young girl -- you know, those books and authors that defined our youth such Judy Blume, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc.

SHELF DISCOVERY is a "reading memoir" which features over 70 MG and YA classics with Ms. Skurnick's unique impressions. There are also essays about these classics written by current women writers including Meg Cabot, Laura Lippman, Cecily von Ziegesar, and Jennifer Weiner.

From Publishers Weekly:
Launched from her regular feature column Fines Lines for Jezebel.com, this spastically composed, frequently hilarious omnibus of meditations on favorite YA novels dwells mostly among the old-school titles from the late '60s to the early '80s much beloved by now grown-up ladies. This was the era, notes the bibliomaniacal Skurnick in her brief introduction, when books for young girls moved from being wholesome and entertaining (e.g., The Secret Garden and the Nancy Drew series) to dealing with real-life, painful issues affecting adolescence as depicted by Beverly Cleary, Lois Duncan, Judy Blume, Madeleine L'Engle and Norma Klein. Skurnick groups her eruptive essays around themes, for example, books that feature a particularly memorable, fun or challenging narrator (e.g., Louise Fitzhugh's Harriet the Spy); girls on the verge, such as Blume's Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret or danger girls such as Duncan's Daughters of Eve; novels that deal with dying protagonists and other tragedies like child abuse (Willo Davis Roberts's Don't Hurt Laurie!); and, unavoidably, heroines gifted with a paranormal penchant, among other categories. Skurnick is particularly effective at spotlighting an undervalued classic (e.g., Joan Aiken's The Wolves of Willoughby Chase) and offers titles featuring troubled boys as well. Her suggestions will prove superhelpful (not to mention wildly entertaining) for educators, librarians and parents.


As I read this book, I fondly remembered many of the books that I read years ago -- often times, over and over again -- such as FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, BLUBBER, THE WESTING GAME, THE GROUNDING OF GROUP SIX, and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE to name just a few. I also realized that there were a lot of books that I missed out on and would love to read now -- like a WRINKLE IN TIME. There are just so many wonderful classics for teens that are featured in the pages of this book -- I hardly know where to start!

So, that's why I think the Shelf Discovery Challenge will be so fun! By participating in this challenge, you can revisit some of your childhood favorites while also having the chance to read some of these classics for the very first time. And even if you've read some of these books over and over again as a young girl (like me), I think that by re-reading them now we will appreciate them for entirely different reasons.

Details:

The Shelf Discovery Challenge will run for six months (November 1, 2009 - April 30, 2010). To join me in this challenge, all you need to do is grab a copy of SHELF DISCOVERY and pick out what six books you want to read (of course, you can read more than six!) Then, after you read a book, just write a "book report" to share your thoughts with others!

Sign Up:

Grab the challenge button at the top of this page and write a post detailing what six Shelf Discovery books you are going to read within the next six months (you always have the option to change your original list -- I'm flexible like that!) If you don't already have the book, you can browse the table of contents here. Once you have posted your Shelf Discovery challenge post, come back to this post and click on Mr. Linky. Please leave your name and link directly to your introductory post (not just to your blog’s home page.) If you don’t have a blog, no worries -- you can just leave a comment on this post telling me you want to participate.

On November 1st, 2009 I will place a Shelf Discovery Challenge button in the upper right hand corner of my blog. When you click on this button, you will see a post where all the participants are listed as well as the links to your Shelf Discovery updates and "book reports." So, every time you have a post relating to the Shelf Discovery Challenge (with the exception of your first sign-up post) you should leave a comment there with a link to your post.

Spread the word:

Besides your initial challenge post, I'm also asking for your help on spreading the word via Twitter. My Twitter ID is @bookingmama and I will be using the hashtag #shelfdiscovery to discuss the challenge and books that we are reading. Please make sure to follow me on Twitter for updates and additional information.

Mini-Challenges

Depending on the interest in this challenge, I am also interested in having some Mini-Challenges as part of the Shelf Discovery Challenge! Right now I have a few ideas like a Judy Blume Mini-Challenge, a What Book is Missing? Challenge, and BlogTalk Radio Show/Shelf Discovery Challenge (this one will make more sense if you listen to the BTR Library Love Fest show with Lizzie Skurnick and Nancy Pearl.) Please let me know if the comment section if you are interesting in hosting a mini-challenge -- either one I mentioned above or an entirely new one!)

And, since everyone loves prizes.....

I have 10 copies of SHELF DISCOVERY courtesy of Avon Book, Harper Collins to giveaway! To be eligible to win, all you have to do is sign up for the Shelf Discovery Challenge and leave a comment with a valid email address! I will select (and notify) the winners on November 1st!

There will be other prizes given away during the challenge period! I'm not entirely sure what they are yet, but I'm working on it!

79 comments:

Florinda said...

I read Shelf Discovery last month and LOVED it, so I won't be entering your giveaway :-). The challenge sounds like fun, definitely!

bermudaonion said...

I'm excited about this challenge! Don't enter me since I already have the book.

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

OK, I'm in for the challenge. I have the book (must pull it off my 13-yr-old's bookcase!) and will select my 6 books this weekend.

Thanks for hosting!

Pam said...

This sounds like a book I need to check out. i have too many challenges going on right now but I'll definitely check up on yours! I loved FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, THE WESTING GAME,and Wrinkle in Time.

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Oh, poo! Looks like I must enter yet another challenge. I simply can't pass this one up. Love it!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I would like to be in, but can't get a list to you until I can see a list of books (or can copy off of other people's!)

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Laura said...

This looks like fun and I've never done anything like it before. Honest! I can't wait!!!

Raspberry said...

I'm still deciding which ones to read. :) rae_sunshine4(At)yahoo.com

Book Club Girl said...

I can't wait to pick my six books! I'm in! (but not for the giveaway LOL ;)

Jess - A Book Hoarder said...

This is my first challenge. I am so excited!!

msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com

Mrs. Melissa said...

I've never done a challenge but I've been curious about this book for a while now - please enter me
Melissa
wlcgrad at yahoo dot com

Melissa said...

Oh, I am definitely in for this one ... how can I resist?! Great idea for a challenge. Thanks for entering me for the book!

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

I am so excited by this. I got this at the Harper Party and loved it. Thought about doing a personal challenge by reading all of the books- so this is great. I would love to host mini-challenges or help out in any way you need. I have to think about my books.

Future Libraian said...

I would love to win a copy! I linked my [brand-spanking-new] blog to this post. Can't wait to read some new titles and reread some favorites with a new perspective. Oh, how I love children's literature!

Beth Kephart said...

I was just looking longingly at this book in the bookstore. While I can never make promises in challenges, with the craziness of my schedule, I LOVE the sound of this one. So kudos to you for coming up with it, and for hosting such a perfect challenge. Very well done.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I'm in. I don't have the book though,so will see what books others are picking before I make my choice. Hopefully I'll have my post up soon.

Kate S. said...

I'm in the midst of a major reread of childhood favourites, so this is perfect for me. I haven't read Shelf Discovery but I read many of the Jezebel columns it grew out of, so I'm confident that there's plenty of overlap! Please enter my name for the book draw too. Thanks!

Karlie said...

Alright, I'm going to do my first challenge. Sounds like fun!

Anonymous said...

My post is up. Thanks for sending me that link. I'm excited and planning on sharing the books with my daughter.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Karlie said...

Since I don't have a blog, here are the books I am going to read:

A Wrinkle in Time
Are You There God?, It’s Me Margaret
I am the Cheese
Bridge to Terabithia
Go Ask Alice
The Secret Garden

Erica said...

No need to enter me to win a copy since I work at harper, but we'd definitely like to host a mini-challenge over at the olive reader (the harper perennial blog.) I LOVE this book and rereading old favorites.

Mimi said...

I also own a copy so will not enter the drawing, but I agree - what a great challenge!

Allison said...

I would love to enter the book giveaway plz!! Don't have one..but will look at what others put on there list and choose..or run to bookstore and 'look' at one of the books to choose!!! And as you said..I can always change my choices later too!!!
Thanks!! signing up for challenge now!

Darlene said...

I would love to enter the book giveaway please. I also want to try the challenge. This will be my first one! But it sounds interesting. Thanks, Darlene
wrig9945@charter.net

Darlene said...

I don't have a blog. So , I'm listing my six here:

A Wrinkle in Time
A Gift of Magic
Jacob,Have I Loved
The Pigman
Summer Of My German Soldier
Summer of Fear

Thanks,
Darlene
wrig9945@charter.net

Carrie said...

The shelf discovery challenge sounds like a lot of fun!
ca_straka at yahoo dot com

Ramona said...

This is so fun! These are the books that always stay with you and reading them again is like comfort food!

Beth F said...

I'm in1 I'll put up my post and link up with Mr. Linky this week. Er, um, I'll need to enter to win the book (I gave my copy away -- LOL!!!!!)

Mel (He Followed Me Home) said...

I hadn't heard about this but had tears in my eyes from all the memories readinf the book titles! I'vd love to be entered to win a copy & would love to jump in on the challenge (My 1st!!)

hefollowedme AT gmail DOT com

Thanks,
Mel

Jackie said...

Sounds like a great challenge. Lots of time to get it done too, so I'm in, for sure!

My email for contest entry is : everexpandinglibrary AT gmail DOT com

Jen - Devourer of Books said...

Okay, I'm going to be signing up, I just have to get this book from the library so I can pick my reads.

Ines said...

I've been following Lizzie's Fine Lines feature at Jezebel and was so excited when it was made into a book. I was planning on reading (or in some case, rereading) all of titles on Shelf Discovery so this would be the perfect opportunity to help me complete my own challenge. Since I don't have a blog I'll list my selection here:
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Summer of My German Soldier
Harriet the Spy
The Secret Garden
The Westing Game
Forever

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

My kids are the right age for this, so maybe I'll join and we'll read together. I'm on the fence.

Anyway, I've posted about this at Win a Book. I love it! Thanks for thinking to ask us to list it there.

JoLynnF said...

This sounds like great fun! A Wrinkle in Time will definitely be part of my list. Thinking about the rest.

JoLynnF

jfelts@jbs1.com

Laurie Schneider said...

Can't resist any excuse to revisit my shelves. Please enter me, too!

Laura at Library of Clean Reads said...

This is my first challenge and I know it will be fun. Would love to win the book too.
laura(at)laurafabiani(dot)com

Sherrie said...

Hi!
I would love to do this challenge. I have my list of books and linked back to you posted at my place, Just Books. Have a great day!!

Sherrie

Jennifer Gibbons said...

Okay, I'm in too. Here's my blog about the challenge...
http://www.redroom.com/blog/jenniferkate/im-not-going-disneyland-i-am-going-write-a-novel-and-read-beverly-cleary

Andrea said...

Great challenge! I'm looking forward to it.

Book Club Girl said...

My post is going up! http://www.bookclubgirl.com/book_club_girl/2009/10/join-booking-mamas-shelf-discovery-challenge.html.html

Ash said...

This is so crazy because I just today made a post about how my tastes in books haven't changed from when I was a kid, and then I found out about this today.

ashbrux(at)yahoo(dot)com

Rachel said...

I'm in and I would love to win a copy of the book. This is going to fun!

mcelhra1(at)yahoo.com

Gayle said...

I've never done a reading challenge before, but I think I will do this one! Great idea. I will link back tomorrow with my picks.

Kerry said...

I've never done a challenge before but this sounds intriguing... sign me up! Off to select my six books!

Cop's Wife said...

Linked here from Rachel at Chaos is a Friend of Mine. This is right up my alley!

Cop's Wife said...

Seeing the title "Grounding of Group Six" (which I loved) reminds me that I have been trying to think of the name of a book I read years ago about all the adults of the world dying off from some illness and the children having to build a fortress at an old school to protect themselves from other harmful kids. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Anonymous said...

How FUN...I haven't picked my books yet but this sounds fabulous!

Britt said...

I'm totally signing up, but I want to look at the Shelf Discovery book before I pick my books! I've never heard of some of them!

(Would love to win a copy, but if not, the library has it.) ;)

schriftstellarin (at) hotmail.com

Gayle said...

I'm in! MY first challenge ever! (I don't need the book). Thanks for hosting!

Vasilly said...

I finally posted my picks! I would love to win a copy!

Heather (BookobsessedGrl said...

Thank you for the contest and the information earlier!

Here's my email address:
bookobsessed (at) comcast.net

mynameiskate said...

Coincidentally, I just discovered this book on Amazon. Even just reading the blurb from the book really takes me back - I LOVED the Westing Game.

Thanks for hosting this challenge!!

Irene Da Costa said...

I'm so excited to participate in this challenge! Thanks for hosting! I'd really love to read Shelf Discover too! Please enter me!

Irene (Lovegoodlit.blogspot.com)
dacosta73@gmail.com

Kim said...

I'm in too and I'm sending out positive energy to win this book. I would love to read it and I have my doubts that my little library will get it. Thanks for a great challenge.
cleanbooksgal(at)gmail(dot)com

Sharla said...

Yay! This is my first challenge. It sounds so fun. I can't wait to get started.

Alana H. said...

Count me in for the challenge and the draw! I'll post my six picks soon!

Alana H. said...

Alright, got my picks:

Stranger with My Face
Forever
Fifteen
In Summer Light
Summer of Fear
Wifey

alanahusband@yahoo.com

Christy said...

Okay, my blog has been dormant for a long time but this is just too good to pass up. I'm in. Thanks for hosting. This is awesome!

Elizabeth said...

This sounds like so much fun! I'm in - of course my list is way too long, but I couldn't help myself! =)

Carrie said...

Just finished my post for the challenge. Looking forward to the challenge! http://wp.me/pxbxW-5W

Christy said...

I posted my selections on my blog. Thanks for hosting the challenge and for entering me in the drawing.

I came out of a 14 month blogging hiatus to join the challenge!

http://michelleandchristy.typepad.com/rainbow_chills/2009/11/shelf-discovery.html.html

Renee J said...

Count me in!
rmj8373(at)gmail(dot)com

mynameiskate said...

Just got my post up!

http://www.mynameiskate.ca/2009/11/revisiting-books-from-my-childhood-taking-the-shelf-discovery-challenge.html

Can't wait to re-read some of these!

Cindy said...

oops I forgot to sign up but I am SO doing this! tuckersmom432 at gmail dot com

the heart is a lonely reader said...

Fantastic! I'm in. This sounds like the right challenge for me.
You can check out my intro at www.theheartisalonelyreader.blogspot.com

No need for me to win the book - I was lucky enough to be given a galley last Spring.

Meg Anastasi said...

Please count me in! Just got my copy and am choosing my books now. Can't wait to start reading!

meg.anastasi @ gmail.com

my blog:
http://boysbooksandbeaches.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Hi

It is so funny how everything is connected.

I just finished the Wrinkle in Time series for my book club meeting next week because we wanted to read something that we read as young people that is on the Banned Book List.

So now I just have to pick five more.

Happy Reading

Trace

Anonymous said...

I am joining in - I am going to read (again) the 'Little House'series - all 7 books.

I have the details on my challenge blog:
http://sally906readingchallanges.wordpress.com/

beth said...

I'm in!

http://libraryfrog.blogspot.com/2009/11/shelf-challenge.html

I tried to grab one book from each chapter, so I have two extras, which will be extra credit.

jayme said...

love it.
love it.
lurrrrvvvee it.

i'm in. eeek!

andrea jean said...

Ooh, I'm totally in! I'm Andrea Jean, my blog is Mode a la Pie, and here is a link to my post:

http://modealapie.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-can-totally-do-this.html

Contemplations of Reader said...

I could have sworn I signed up for this. Oh well. Oddly enough, I just got this book at the library and was amazed to realize just how many classics I missed out on. So now I'm looking forward to catching up. This will be fun!!

Schatzi said...

Since I don't see a Linky anywhere, I'll just sign up here: http://mealibris.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/shelf-discovery-challenge/

Cop's Wife said...

I am all over this challenge.
http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2009/12/17/what-im-reading-december-17-2009/
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I just got Shelf Discovery as my Book Blogger Holiday Swap gift, so I am excited to participate in this challenge! I don't see a Linky link so here's my intro post: http://ya4oa.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/shelf-discovery/

Carin Siegfried said...

I would also like to participate even though it's late. Here's my blog post:http://carolinebookbinder.blogspot.com/2010/01/one-more-reading-challenge-shelf.html

My six books are:
A Wrinkle in Time
A Little Princess
Island of the Blue Dolphins
In Summer Light
Love is One of the Choices
Farmer Boy

These are all rereads. I have read 3 already (in December) so I may do more than 6. I Loved SD!

Buried In Print said...

I'm late officially joining, but I ordered the book shortly after you mentioned it and I have been happily reading since: thanks for the challenge! My full list is here and 6 of my picks are:

Harriet the Spy
Island of the Blue Dolphins
The Little Princess
The Long Winter
A Wrinkle in Time
Clan of the Cave Bear

Here's to Shelf-Discovering!

https://booksthoughtsadventures.com said...

I love the idea of this comment and I will post my books on my blog...thanks for the challenge!!!

Carin Siegfried said...

I would love if this were an annual challenge! Any chance you'd do it again for 2011?