Happy New Year to all! Whether it is super snowy, super cold, or both in your neck of the woods, January is a great time for curling up with a good book for educators and students alike. Looking for ideas for titles or themes to support your student and staff reading habits? Maybe a reading challenge would fit the bill! There are quite a few out there to choose from, and here are just a few ideas to ge things started.
Goodreads has a straightforward challenge in which a reader sets a goal to read a number of books in 2017. There is no requirement of length or type, just numbers. As each book is completed and added to the list, Goodreads tracks the reader’s progress. It’s fun and encouraging to see the number of books climb over the year! The best part is that each reader sets his/her own goal, so the challenge is tailor made for each reader, with complete freedom to choose what to read. I’ve signed up for this one for 2017; if you do, too, friend me on Goodreads so we can cheer for one another!
The YA Novel Reading Challenge on Naomi Bates’ blog can be used to create a challenge for your own library. There are 25 categories and it is up to readers to choose and read a book to fit each one to complete the challenge. For example, a few categories are: a book that will become a movie this year; a book set in your favorite season of the year; and a book recommended by your librarian. A challenge like this gives a little bit of guidance, but readers have lots of freedom to find titles they like, too.
This example of a Winter Book Challenge from the Mighty Little Librarian blog can be adjusted for any age group or ability level. Simply change the wording to suit your needs.
Into audiobooks? Maybe the Audiobook Challenge 2017 is for you! Sign up at The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and start listening. If your school library does not carry audiobooks, discover the joy of listening through your local public library. Most public libraries subscribe to a digital audiobook service like Overdrive or Hoopla, allowing patrons to check out digital books (both audio and ebooks) from home, and when they are due, they automatically and magically return themselves. No more overdue books! Bonus: audiobooks are a fantastic way to get reluctant and struggling readers hooked on reading!
If none of these options look good, check out the Master List of 2017 Book Challenges. There looks to be something everyone there.
Just remember, when you borrow someone’s work, credit them for it. It is easily done by noting the author in a footnote.
Happy Reading in 2017!
