Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Finished To Kill a Mockingbird (336 pages) for task 5.1. I had been kind of racking my brain for a book that I wanted to read, and had easy access to, that fit this challenge, and nothing really excited me. Then I saw a few people mention TKAM for it, and I wondered why I hadn't thought of that? Atticus is one of my favorite male literary characters, and his relationship to Scout and Jem is not only amazing, but crucial to the story. So good idea to use this book, whomever I stole the idea from... ;)

TOTAL: 305 points, 7521 pages

Last night I finished The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Newberry Medal, US) to finish task 30.1! I also read I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak (Children's Book Council Award, Australia). I thought both books were great and definitely deserved these awards. Both books were very original, I thought (especially Gaiman's) and had great messages for young people (especially Zusak's).


Total Points: 215+30=245
Total Pages: 3129+312+368=3809

Changed my list around. Please see * tasks for completed tasks.

*Finished Tasks

30 POINT TASKS:
*1. The Golden Compass 7/1/09/ The Graveyard Book 5/2/09
*2. Anne of Green Gables 6/19/09
*3. Ella Enchanted 6/18/09

25 POINT TASKS:
1. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants/Eldest/The Book Thief
*2. Ink Exchange 5/21/09/ The Au Pairs 5/28/09
3. A Great and Terrible Beauty
*4. The Subtle Knife 7/6/09/The Amber Spyglass7/9/09

20 POINT TASKS
*1. The Fellowship of the Ring 6/22/09
*2. Little Women 6/5/09
3. Evermore
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
5. The Book of Lost Things

10 POINT TASKS:
*1. Graceling 6/12/09
*2. Pride and Prejudice (Laura - 5 stars) 6/26/09
3. Twilight
*4. The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread 6/14/09

5 POINT TASKS:
1. City of Bones
*2. I Capture the Castle 5/11/09
*3. To Kill a Mockingbird 6/24/09
4. A Little Princess

Per ^ comment, I moved I Capture the Castle from 25.1 to 5.2 and in turn moved Little Women from 5.2 to 20.2. I decided I wanted Little Women as my book I want a young person in my life to read because I am the oldest of 4 girls and each of us can relate to each of the sisters in Little Women.

Total Points: 220/350
Total Pages: 5,463

I just finished Impulse(672 pgs) for task 5.3. My son's girlfriend suggested I read this. It was difficult to read this: very intense. I need to read a happier book now.

New point total: 340
New page total: 7, 829

5.4 I just finished reading A Little Princess (312 pages) as my book in which father/child relationship is key to the story for 5 points (task #4).

Total Points: 225/350
Total Pages: 5,775

Read Thirteenth Child(344 pages) for task 5.3 (some little girl at the library suggested it). I would highly recommend it.
Review is here
TOTAL: 310 points, 7865 pages

5.1 I just finished reading City of Bones (496 pages) as my book from the “Top YA Novels” thread not posted by me for 5 points (task #1). I gave this book 5 stars as well - very good fantasy read.

Total Points: 230/350
Total Pages: 6,271

Misty wrote: "Read Thirteenth Child(344 pages) for task 5.3 (some little girl at the library suggested it). I would highly recommend it.
Review is here
TOTAL: 310 points, 7865 pages "

So happy to hear you liked it. I have been excited to read it but wasn't 100% sold. Your review made the decision for me. My library doesn't have it (boohoo) so I'm going to buy it. But I have a feeling it's a keeper so I'm good with that.

Finished!! For task 25.4 I read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and also the Order of the Phoenix! Goblet was much better than Phoenix, Harry was too whiney in that one!

Total: 350 points 8221 pages!

WooHoo!! Congrats on finishing!

Jennifer, Congratulations! Is this your first time reading Harry Potter? If so, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is my favorite, so don't get discouraged by whiney Harry in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. :)

Order of the Phoenix was my favorite, followed by Azkaban...

And Natalee:
Yeah, I'm considering buying it even though I just read it. And I really do hope there is more to come. Hope you like it and that my review doesn't lead you astray. :)

Congrats Jennifer! I'm four books away! I can do it! :)

I read Anne of Green Gables for task 10.3 and loved it, of course. I've contributed to the discussion.

Total Points: 245+10=255
Total Pages: 3809+336=4145

Finished The Book Thief for the group read task, 30.2:
Points: 30, Pages 550

New Totals:
205 points
3989 pages

I just finished I Capture the Castle for task 10.2 (pushed by Fiona.
Total points: 60
Total pages: 1,534

LEADER BOARD:

Alisha: 350 pts., 9839 pages.
Jennifer W: 350 pts., 8221 pages.
Amanda: 350 pts., 7011 pages.
Beth: 340 pts., 7829 pages.
Allison: 330 pts., 6162 pages.
Misty: 310 pts., 7865 pages.
C: 305 pts., 9171 pages.
Kristen: 300 pts., 8828 pages.
Natalee: 300 pts., 5766 pages.
Luann: 285 pts., 7911 pages.
Michelle (sunflowers): 255 pts., 4145 pages.
Jennifer: 250 pts., 4969 pages.
Linda Grace: 230 pts., 6271 pages.
Ashley: 215 pts., 4014 pages.
Linda: 205 pts., 3989 pages.
Jamie: 190 pts., 4268 pages.
Josie: 160 pts., 5352 pages.
Alexis: 160 pts., 2602 pages.
Bird: 155 pts., 2875 pages.
Kathy: 140 pts., 2956 pages.
Fiona (Titch): 135 pts., 3347 pages.
Heather: 135 pts., 2384 pages.
Leora: 135 pts., 2330 pages.
Becky: 130 pts., 3823 pages.
Jen B: 105 pts., 2330 pages.
Nirmala: 95 pts., 1826 pages.
Cheryl: 75 pts., 1789 pages.
Lynlee4: 70 pts., 946 pages.
Stephanie: 65 pts., 1306 pages.
Liz: 60 pts., 1534 pages.
Camerandi: 50 pts., 1080 pages.
Katrina: 50 pts., 836 pages.
Fiona/Tweety: 45 pts., 1174 pages.
Michelle: 45 pts., 993 pages.
Kandice: 45 pts., 480 pages.
Lisa Julianna: 30 pts., 312 pages.
Arynne: 30 pts., 256 pages.
Adam: 10 pts., 432 pages.

Congratulations Jennifer W for being our third finisher!

Thanks everyone! No, I haven't read all the HP books, but I'm glad to hear that he'll be less of a brat. I'm gonna post a list of everything I read in the discussion thread if anyone's interested.

I just completed task 10.1 by reading Bewitching Season. Great debut for this author. Perfect book for younger YA readers (12-13) that want romance but their Mom's don't! ;-) Good, clean romance with magic and mystery.

Total points: 310
Total pages: 6112

Completed task 20.4 with The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi because it was published the same year that my twin brothers were born (1990).

Total points: 255+20=275
Total pages: 4142+240=4382

Finished reading Beauty, A retelling of the story of beauty & the Beast last night.
I enjoyed most of the book but found that the ending was somewhat abrupt and little silly.

The children have broken up from school for the summer and I have adapted this challenge to a summer challenge at home. Both our daughters and our son are already well into the reading as many books as they can during the summer. Fantastic idea to keep them occupied and I have added some extra bits of research that they have to complete with reading the books. I have produced a folder for my son to do keep his reviews and research. Shall see how it goes for the next six weeks.

30.1 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred Taylor - USA
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon -British
30.2 Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery
30.3 Beauty, A retelling of the story of beauty & the Beast – Robin McKinley
20.1 The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman
10.4 Junk, Melvin Burgess
5.2 Journey to the centre of the Earth, Jules Verne

That makes my totals to be

Total points: 125 (95 + 30)
Total Pages: 1,744(1,488 + 256)

Oh my goodness, I see light at the end of the tunnel. Could I possibly finish the challenge?? I hope so! And I am FINALLY going to read Hunger Games. I read all my "challenge" library books and can move on to the ones I own.

Finished task 5.1 by reading The Boy From the Basement. It's about a 12 yr old boy that is abused by his parents who lock him in the basement.

Total Points: 315
Total Pages: 6320

I just finished reading Sabriel (496 pgs) for task #5.4

New point total: 345
New page total: 8, 325

For task 20.3, I just finished These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner (384 p.), which is set in Arizona, my geographical area.

Total Points: 305
Total Pages: 8295

25.2. I read Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Anne Brasheres and Never After by Rebecca Lickiss

This book: 25/592 pages
Total: 165/3548 pages

Nirmala wrote: "Finished reading Beauty, A retelling of the story of beauty & the Beast last night.
I enjoyed most of the book but found that the ending was somewhat abrupt and little silly.

The children hav..."

I love your reading challenge for your kids! I think I'll do the same. Mine read a lot but a challenge would add some fun!

Finished Little Women (592 pages) for task 5.2. Read it before, and though I do really like it and think it is technically her best, it's still not my favorite (I love Little Men and An Old Fashioned Girl more).
Two to go!

TOTAL: 315 points, 8457 pages

Just finished task 5.1 - I read Graceling and LOVED it! I can't wait to read Fire.

Just three more book to read!

Total points: 305
Total Pages: 9299

For task 10.3, I read Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr by Garth Nix (705 p.), which is a book that has been discussed here on the WT boards, and I've participated in the discussion. Now I can't wait to read the third in the series, Abhorsen!

Total Points: 315
Total Pages: 9000

(9,000 exactly! How weird is that?)

30.1 The Tale of Despereaux (USA), Just in Case (UK)
30.2 The Graveyard Book
30.3 Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid"
25.1 Wicked Lovely (Fantasy/Sci-Fi), The Book Thief (Historical), A Countess Below Stairs (Romantic)
25.2 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, The Mysterious Benedict Society
25.3 Sold
25.4 Inkheart and Inkspell
20.1 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
20.2 The Girl Who Could Fly
20.3 Laguna Cove
10.2 I Capture the Castle
10.3 To Kill a Mockingbird
5.4 Gingerbread

Total Points = 275
Total Pages = 6138

Natalee wrote: "Nirmala wrote: "Finished reading Beauty, A retelling of the story of beauty & the Beast last night.
I enjoyed most of the book but found that the ending was somewhat abrupt and little silly.

The..."

They are already well into the reading, but I have tried to add things into the tasks to encourage our son to activities other then just reading. Some reaource about events and places related to the book that he has read. This weekend we made hima folder to keep all the bits in. We have the leader board going in the corner of the whire board he has in his room.

20.3 I finished Evermore (301 pages) as my book set in your geographical area for 20 points (task #3).

Total Points: 250/350
Total Pages: 6,572

I just finished task 5.2 by listening to Anne of Green Gables, which I LOVED!

Total points: 310
Total Pages: 9619

Two more books to go!

Task 10.3 Hunger Games - loved it!

Total Points: 325
Total Pages: 6694

Two books and one task to go...

Newly Completed:

25.1: Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty (Contemporary - 368 pages), The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray (Fantasy - 819 pages), and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Classical - 592 pages)
*Charmed Thirds was my favorite and I placed a note in the discussion*

20.1: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (870 pages)
*MUCH preferred the book, of course. The movie was somewhat disappointing, just because I love the books so much and they had to leave so many things out.*

5.4: Tweak by Nic Sheff (336 pages)
*The relationship between Nic and his mother and father plays a large role in the story*

PTD: 115
Pages: 4291

25.3
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli (This book is set in Warsaw, Poland)

Pts: 25/ 240
Total: 190/ 3,788

Tasks completed (most recent in bold):

30 Point Tasks
2. The Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan (GR Page Count: 375)
3. Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine (GR Page Count: 240)

25 Point Tasks
1a. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer (Category: Romance) (GR Page count: 563 pages)
b. Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson (Category: Contemporary) (GR Page count: 282)

20 Point Tasks
2. The Tales of Beedle the Bard - JK Rowling (GR page count: 109 pages)
4. The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen (GR page count: 400 pages)
5. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things - Carolyn Mackler (GR page count: 256 pages)

10 Point Tasks
3. The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin (GR page count: 192 pages)

5 Point Tasks
4. When You Wish - Kristin Harmel (GR page count: 288)
5. Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret - Judy Blume (GR page count: 149)

I re-read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume last week, which was one of my favorite childhood books. Despite some now very dated references (record albums!), I still think the issues Margaret faces are relevant today. It's always interesting to re-read a childhood favorite as an adult.

I also finished The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, which I absolutely loved. Great book!

Point Total: 140/350
Page Total: 2854

25.3 I finished A Great and Terrible Beauty (416 pages) as my book that takes place in a different country for 25 points (task #3).

Total Points: 275/350
Total Pages: 6,988

I have read the entire harry potter series over again and watched all the movies over again right after....how do i total this?

Which tasks are you using each book for?

Completed The Book of Lost Things (339pp) for task 20.5. It was a strange, erie book, somewhat grotesque in places. Not the kind of book I would normally read. Anyway, my current status is:

Total points: 225
Total pages: 4328

20.1 (x7) The Harry Potter Series
I enjoyed the movies equally to the books for movies 1-3. After that, so much had to be left out that the movies don't come close to the books. However, I do appreciate the increase in quality of the cinematography with every film.

Total Points: 140
Total Pages: 4100

I'm confused. I thought we could only do each item on the challenge once? Because I asked earlier about this and was told no.

That's because the answer is no. Haley, you can divide the books up into other categories that fit. They wouldn't all work for 20.1 anyway, because the 7th movie isn't out yet...

that's what i was wondering with the original question, thank you for the help!! :)

No prob! There are a lot of tasks I think you could fit them into. Maybe not all of them, but most of them. Good luck!

ok, so i figured out the books i've read within the challenge time frame:

30.3 - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
25.2 - Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday (can't believe doing this was actually one of the tasks!)
25.3 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerers’ Stone
25.4 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
20.1 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
20.2 - The Giver
20.3 - Little Women
10.2 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

That totals to:
Points: 175
Pages: 4185
:)

Just finished task 25.4 with Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer...kinda hooked now despite my reluctance.

Total points: 275+25=300
Total pages: 4382+498+563=5443