Young Adult Book Reading Challenges discussion

I was born May 24, 1979 in Logan, WV. Until the age of 15 I lived in Mingo County, WV near Delbarton when I moved to Swansboro, NC with my mother due to my parents divorce. I graduated in 1997 from West Carteret High School. I worked afterwards as an assistant manager of an Eckerd Drugstore, general manager of a Carmike Cinema and then as an advanced technician for Volaris Online (formerly Coastalnet and Duro Communications). In 2001 I moved to Wheeling, WV to be closer to family and due to meeting my future wife here Lisa. On July 4, 2003 I married her. Currently I am attending West Liberty State College toward a double major in Social Science and English for a Secondary Education degree.

I've read way too many books to list here. I also run the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club on GoodReads. That group is so much fun I decided to start a new one and may even start one more for general fiction in the future if I think I can handle that much reading!

Hi everyone! My name here is Bookworm (if you dind't notice). I'm 13 years old and I love to read and write.
My very first story that I ever wrote was called 'The Sleepover'. I was like 6 or 7 when I wrote it, so you can just imagine how good it was. I gave it to my dad and I think he still has it.

I'm not a teen, but I have two teenage sons-- both in high school. I started writing fiction about 4 1/2 years ago and my first YA novel is coming out in September (you can pre-order in August.) It's called "It's Not About Me." I hope you will consider it when the time comes for it's release. I have a description and video trailer up on my website at www.michellesutton.net. It's pretty edgy and has some mature content in it, but nothing scandalous.

Thanks for the invite to this group. My name is Kim Culbertson and I've been a high school English and Drama teacher for over ten years. Last June, my first young adult novel SONGS FOR A TEENAGE NOMAD was published by Hip Pocket Press. The book won the 2007 London Book Festival in the teenage category and was featured at the 2007 APLUS conference of personalized learning schools. It was also selected as a book club book for AzTeen magazine's Jan/Feb 2008 issue and was named October book of the month for Homeschool.com.

Teensreadtoo.com gave Songs for a Teenage Nomad five stars and wrote:
“SONGS FOR A TEENAGE NOMAD is a wonderful book. It is a high school classic reminiscent of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, only it is more appropriate for a slightly younger audience. Calle is a wonderful character and, as the reader, you want her to succeed in all areas of her life.” – Becca Boland

I have curriculum that is available for the novel on my website at www.kimculbertson.com as well as information about writing workshops I teach. I have been touring with the book through California, Washington, Arizona and Hawaii and have had great response from teachers, students and librarians. At a recent visit to a Sausalito, CA school the librarian said: “My readers devoured the book – read it in one sitting and totally recommended it to me. I was encouraged by the level of your prose – not dumbed down like some YA fiction. I look forward to future books….thanks for inspiring the students.” --Marybeth Colman, librarian, The Marin School, Sausalito, CA.

I am currently starting a YA Book Club at the school where I teach and I'm excited about this group!

Smiles,
Kim

Hello everyone. My name is Terry Reschke. I currently have two published books out. A Dragon's Birth for children and The Attic Above for tweens to adult. Here's a little bit about my latest one.
The Attic Above by Terry Allen Reschke
This book will take you on a ride with Tory and his newfound friend, James. You see, James was murdered in England many years ago. His house has been moved to the United States and completely rebuilt. With the help of Tory James will find out how he was killed and by who. Given the fact that Tory finds an old necklace which links him to James and gives Tory new tools to aid in his search for answers to this mystery. Tory goes back in time to right how James was wronged hoping not to change the present by his actions. Many twists and turns are taken in finding the correct path to take.

Hi all,

I'm Christopher Mahoney and like Terry and Michelle here, I also am a writer as well as an avid reader of YA.

My book The Incredible Origins of the Onyx Sun is designed to engage kids in the exciting possibilities of technology and bolster the flagging US rankings in math and science worldwide. You can read more about it on GoodReads by searching Onyx Sun. I have some advance review paperbacks left in case anyone would like a free one in exchange for a GoodReads review.

Thanks! I look forward to the new YA-focused group!

Best,
CM

Hello all. I am an English/reading teacher by trade and have taught every grade from 6th through 12th, although most of my teaching has focused on 8th and 9th grade teens.

I got my masters in reading at UVA and officially became a reading specialist two years ago. At the same time, I went through a post-graduate program to become a certified K-12 librarian. So, you can safely say that I love literacy and literature.

I am currently getting my doctorate in Literacy at the University of Nevada where I teach undergraduate and graduate education courses.

YA lit is a passion of mine. Some favorite genres include fantasy, sci fi and chick-lit. I also like realistic fiction with controversial topics and urban characters. And, recently, I have stumbled into the world of YA graphic novels and am loving what I am finding!

I tend to favor contemporary YA books and authors and usually don't enjoy the "classics."

I teach middle school students (6-8) about literature, reading and writing. I had a couple of other jobs before that, but none fit quite right.

I started reading young adult literature when I was a young adult and I never really grew out of it. I like the classics as well as the new stuff. I like fantasy, mysteries, and general fiction. Occasionally, I even like teenybopper romance.

Like Nick, I've read (and enjoyed) way too many books to list here.

Hi.My name is Andi. I have always liked young adult books. I have been thinking of making that the main genre I use to write with. I have several young adult books on my list and intend to put on a lot more. This is one of my favorite genres to read.

Howdy! I'm another member of the SF and Fantasy Book Club and the father of two voracious bookworms. We're a home schooling family and use the literature intensive Sonlight curriculum. Any recommendations I may make here are probably lifted from them. Or my wife, who does the bulk of the teaching. Or my kids. Actually, I should probably just have them join....

Hi. Yet another member of the SF and Fantasy book club. I love to read all types of genres. I think YA has a lot to offer as in quality of writing. A lot of what I read recently is a walk down memory lane, although I'm always willing to try a new author!

Hi - I'm Nicole. I love YA books. I think they are some of the best books out there. I read for fun - and am always looking for the next really good read. Which means I've been dissappointed ever since reading the Twilight series. Everything has been kind of a let-down after that.

Hi All...thanks for the add Nick. I'm not a teen. I was 35 years old, but i have a lot of nephew which is growing to be "disaster teen", and...i never understand what kind of things in their head every single time when they planning some stupid idea! But i love them, and i really wants to know their world, so, with joint in this group hope i can more understand them.

Thanks for sharing..

Renny

I often read YA, most often because I am a Fantasy (and some Sci-Fi) fan, and YA titles are often fairly good, or at least different and interesting. I do read other YA stuff too though. I enjoy imagination and books that take me to another place - I typically do not read much realistic fiction, although I do like mysteries and legal thrillers, and historical fiction.

I'm tutor a third-grader in a literacy program so I'm also on the look out for books that may be interesting for him as he progresses.

Hi I'm Angela. I am a middle school guidance counselor working with grades 6-8. They say you either love or hate this age group, and of course I'm one of those who absolutely LOVES and adores these young adolescents!

I agree with what some of you wrote in that I started reading YA books when I was myself in middle school, and just never grew out of reading those books.

I'm always looking for books that help me relate to how it is to be a teen these days. It wasn't that long ago that I myself was a young adult, but I still think many things about the adolescence process has changed so it's good to keep up with current ideas about it through YA books.

My favorite young adult book to date is "Don't Die My Love" by Lurlene McDaniel. I barely remember now what it's exactly about, but I read it probably more than any other book I've ever read! I also really enjoyed "Give A Boy A Gun." I enjoy reading books about teens who struggle with an issue and then overcome it. Those are the books I find that my kids who I counsel really respond to, so I like to keep up with those.

Hi! I'm Krista the Krazy Kataloguer. I'm a librarian at a community college in central New York. We have a YA section in our library for students coming out of high school, many of whom prefer YA books for recreational reading, and I order the books for it. I also teach children's/YA lit, and read a LOT of it.

My YA favorite books are historical novels, mysteries, and novels in verse. Is this group willing to try graphic novels as well? Some of my favorite YA authors include Angela Johnson, Walter Dean Myers, Ann Rinaldi, Caroline Cooney, and Terry Trueman, but I like to try new authors.
I'm so glad this group has formed!

Hi, I'm LIsa and I read a lot of YA; some of the best books are written for this group. I'm looking forward to reading and rereading any books the group chooses.

Hi, everyone! I'm LeAnn. I home school and have a daughter in 6th grade. I've been reading a lot of YA books lately in an effort to have reading ideas for my children and I've found myself enjoying the YA titles more often than I do adult books! I find YA titles generally more positive in their outlook on life, even when bad things happen. I'm really looking forward to reading the group discussions so that I won't be alone in my quest to find good literature for my children to read.

Oh, I'm also a novelist in my spare time, although not yet published. I'm not sure how to categorize the genre of my novel, but I've read some Charles de Lint, Neil Gaiman, and Orson Scott Card and some of their titles seem similar.

Hey LeAnn,

I usually call the Charles de Lint and Neil Gaiman school -- urban fantasy or mythic fiction. Of Orson Scott Card, I've only read the Ender books and they're science fiction to me.

Hello Everyone,

My name is Ashley and I am 21, 22 in May. I'm currently in college studying to become a teacher. I like to read YA. A couple of my favorite authors are Alex Sanchez and Julie Anne Peters, who are GLBT YA authors. I hope to get to know everyone and look forward to reading and discussing YA Books with everyone. Happy Reading.

Hi, I'm Linda Collison. My first novel has been published by Knopf as a y.a. historical adventure novel, and I'm thrilled! Doubly thrilled that the New York Public Library included it on their "Books for the Teen Age -- 2007."

But what I want to find out is what bright young adult readers are loving, and why. I'm here to learn and I'm happy to read what the group decides.

I almost forgot to mention that I also like to write and for my very first novel, I plan to write a YA novel called "Soldier Kids". I haven't started on it yet but I will when I get the time :).

I'm Elizabeth. :) I ended up in this group from the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club as well. I think my main reason for reading YA books is because 1) it gives me tons of recommendations for my younger sister (haha, she must love that), and 2) all age groups have something to learn from them. The age group a particular book was written for really doesn't matter. :)

I am Kelly from Oak Ridge, TN and I am an elementary (K-5) librarian for about 700 kids in a rural district. Although I have young ones, my own children are teens and I love young adult literature. I grew up in Knoxville, where I graduated in 1989. I attended Oxford College of Emory University when I had the silly connotation that I'd enter the medical field and quickly resolved UT in Knoxville was perfectly fine for someone who really only wanted a job and a degree. I graduated in '94 there with my psych degree, and furthered my education in the name of raises, where I earned my Masters in Ed for teaching, my Ed.S. for administration, and my Masters in Ed for library media. Four degrees later and few more dollars, I at least have a passion for my job, my books, and my students. My husband is a web designer in town, and we keep busy by going to the gym, bookstore, and Starbucks. We also watch way too much Cartoon Network and Comedy Central for our own good, and feel that Jon Stewart would make the best president....well, or Obama. :-)

I'm Beth Fehlbaum, author of Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse. I LOVE YA Fiction and I'm jazzed to find this site!
Beth Fehlbaum
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com
http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Patienc...

Hey, Kelly,

It really is a small world. I grew up in Knoxville also. Still am. Luv it here!

Hello,
My name is Kristin. I am a middle school English teacher, and I am just finishing up my Master's in Library Science. I am hoping to become a middle school or high school librarian soon - I keep looking for that opening in my district. This group is a great way for me to at least make time to read one new young adult book a month. I'm excited to join!

Hello everyone,
I work with children…extraordinary children who happen to be inflicted with any number of maladies. In June, I have an essay coming out in “Voices of Autism”, inspired by “my” kids. I’m trying to promote the book every chance I get…Go buy! It’s for a good cause. ;-)

I love the Young Adult Genre so much; I’m trying to publish a series of books under the YA tag as we speak.

I’m excited to see what books this group picks out and discusses.

Hi All, I'm lionlady and I'm also a member of the Sci Fi- Fantasy group. I teach high school science and I love YA books. I'm hoping some more YA's will join this group so we can hear from them what they like to read. Then I can recommend them to my students. I'm excited about this group. Sounds like it's going to be fun!

Hi, my name is Angie, I don't teach or write so no books to sell, but I love to read. I like YA books so am excited to be able to discuss them and read new books I haven't yet discovered. I used to read Fear Street when I was young and that really has stuck with me, which is why I like YA books. I really like the Sci Fi Fantasy Book club so I am sure this will be good also. Maybe we could eventually add like a movie of the month too that goes with the book? We'll see.

Hi my name is Becky Mannon. I am a Teen Specialist at the Gas City Mill Township Public Library in Indiana. I've been working at the library for 13 years. Just recently was promoted to Teen Specialist. I love reading YA books. I also run 2 book clubs in our library, a teen book club and a pre-teen book club.

Angie,
I like the idea of the movie tie-in for the books we read. I am always looking for strong visual connections to the books that I teach.

Hey, everyone...I'm Bree, and I'm 26. I live in Alberta, Canada and read pretty much every genre, but seem to have a LOT of YA in my shelves here, lol...

Looking forward to reading things with a group and discussing them! :)

Hey, I'm Rena, 25. I love reading YA and hope to someday be a YA librarian. Right now I just work at a library. Can't wait to see what the first book will be!

Hi,
I'm fourteen, a ninth grader. I'm homschooled. I have always loved reading and writing. When I was four I wrote my first story. it was for my grandmother called "Liz the Giraffe". She gave it to my great grandmother, who still has it in a box somewhere. When I was seven or eight, I started writing poetry. Nothing deep of course, you could just call them plain old rhymes. :)
I love reading just as much. I go to the library, very often!

Greetings-
My name is Kyle. I teach third grade in Denver, Co. The majority of my class reads above grade level. I have six kids that read at a 6th grade level. I read JA books because I need to find books that are at appropriate reading levels, but most importantly to find books that are not too mature for a nine year old. It is interesting how some books get classified JA even when they are more middle grade level. A perfect example is Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan.

Hi Khayla,

That's awesome that you're homeschooled. I am too. Have been ever since like... kindergarten.

Hi, my name is Lisa.
Years ago while living in the Virginia mountains I went to college and got a Associates degree in Education with the goal of transferring then teaching on the elementary level. Maybe later I would follow my advisors recommendation to further the career into grad school so that I could teach literature to those who appreciate your attempts in upper level college lit classes. All of this was put on hold as the life of a stay at home mom became my life instead. Due to the age difference of my children the time to go back to school never has come to be. I try to keep up with the latest and greatest of YA lit in order that in a few short years I can at least use my degree to substitute teach in our county, and be a little better informed about the assigned reading (and other books) that a student may come across.

Hii People!

My name is Jamie, and I am ... female? I prefer not to give out my age online, but I'm in my teens. I love YA, and to tell you the truth I've read/am reading/plan on reading many of the books on the poll list. I plan to read as many books as I can in a lifetime, and I hope we can have fun doing this! I am the class bookworm, and I like to congregate with fellow bookworms as well! I average a book a day, and my English teacher didn't believe me when I said that (and its true, I assure you). (That rhymed..)

--

Jamie

Hi all

I am 27 year old librarian who is interested in reading some of the YA novels to see which would be appropriate for the teens that come in my library. I am from a rural area so I have a small patron base, but I like it because I have time to pick out the books I order. I really try to order what I think my patrons will read the most. So I am hoping this group will help me out!

Hey, I just read In the Middle last semester. Atwell is great!

I agree with you; In the Middle was groundbreaking and influenced my teaching style greatly.
Beth

hi! my name is alison. i'm the mom of 17yo and 12yo daughters who love to read (and also an 8yo son who we can sometimes entice into the pages of a book). i enjoy YA novels very much. i blog about what i read at So Many Books, So Litte Time. some of my favorite YA reads of the past few years are The Giver, the Twilight series, Uglies, American Born Chinese, Stargirl, Princess Academy, Nothing But the Truth (and a Few White Lies), and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

Hi, I'm Nancy Silverrod, a former children's and YA librarian, and currently an adult reference librarian at San Francisco Public Library. I have never quit reading children's and YA books, and have quite a collection at home. I'm seriously thinking I need to move to a bigger place in order to have more room for all my books!

One of my particular interests is LGBT materials and resources for children and YAs, and I maintain ongoing annotated bibliographies which I'm always happy to share.

Besides being a life-long bookworm, I love my Rotty-Beagle mix, Ginny, and my Yellow-Sided, green-cheeked Conure, Pip. I also belong to a weekly knitting group, and have a number of unfinished projects, including a sweater for my niece's american girl doll.

I am an as of yet unpublished writer, and if I don't spend less time reading and more time writing, that will always be the case. Sigh.

Hard to pick favorite books. To Kill a Mockingbird, and Patience and Sarah are probably up there in the most re-read category.

I too, read about a book a day, although I often have several going at once. I can remember one summer vacation when we lived around the corner from the library (oh joy!) and I read six books in one day. Had to have somewhere to escape from a crowded apartment.

I love to read!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi! My name is Amitha Knight and I am an aspiring YA writer. I have just finished co-writing a YA fantasy novel with my twin sister and am currently working on a YA historical fiction. Check them out at http://amitha.static.net.

As a writer, I also do a lot of reading and thought that this YA club would be a great place to find new books to read and discuss them.

I look forward to reading our first book!

Hi, my name is Hayley and I'm 24. I liked to read YA books. My favourites are the Point Horror series - you can't beat the series. any recommendations on what to read would be great.

Actually Hayley... the Harry Potter series can't beat the Point Horror Series..lol

Hi! I'm Liz, and I'm definitely not a teenager, but I've studied quite a bit of children's lit, and hope to eventually get my MA in children's literature. I also maintained the YA section at my Barnes & Noble before moving up the food chain. I still read YA fairly often, and am always looking for recommendations and suggestions! I tend to read more fantasy/urban fantasy/paranormal than anything else, but I'm open to anything, so long as it's good. Most recently, I've read Perry Moore's Hero and Anna Godberson's The Luxe.