Taking the Challenge(s) to Read!
During my first year of blogging I noted all these “reading challenges” posted here and there. It took me a while to begin to sort through what was going on….in the meantime, I had realized as 2008 came to a close I was not “up with the times” in reading children’s and YA literature and vowed to do much better in 2009. It was my own personal challenge. I am pleased with my progress through that year.
As 2010 approached I decided I wanted to participate in some of the Challenges about which I was reading and in particular I wanted some that allowed both children’s, youth and adult literature. Here are my plans thus far for this year… have you made some conscious reading plans for 2010?
Paper Tigers Reading the World Challenge
The goal here is to read during the year at least one book from/about/by or illustrated by someone from each of the seven continents. The books can be of any age range, any genre! First up for me are Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-Li Jiang and SOLD by Patricia McCormick. So two books set in Asia completed since January 1, and I’ll be writing about them soon (well, maybe soon). Check out the website as there is a wealth of information about multicultural books and accompanying materials.
POC (Persons of Color) Reading Challenge
This is a new challenge added only this week to the many options found online. The purpose is to encourage books to be read by POC authors and/or with POC as primary characters. There are five levels from which to choose, each level representing a different range in number of books. I am going to be bold, commit to Level 5 which calls for 16-25 books. Do you have suggestions for me?
Social Justice Challenge “Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die.” – U2
For readers of Rasco from RIF, you will see this challenge which is new this year as one I would see as a “must do.” The organizers have said “Social Justice Challenge was founded on the idea that reading can change the world. Each month we will focus on a different area of social injustice in the world and encourage participants to learn about the issue through reading and other media and to take action steps toward making a difference.” There are various levels of participation depending in part on the time the reader has to spend that month. I am again going bold and hope to accomplish the Activist level at least six months. The January theme is Religious Freedom; I have read Sarah’s Key and have started to explore the website The Voices of the Martyrs and plan to read again essays from The Remembrance Project.
South Asian Author Challenge
This Challenge is to encourage the reading of books as noted…by South Asian Authors; South Asia is considered to be India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The books can be of any time period and as with all the Challenges I have studied, there is significant information on the website to guide me as I select books. I have committed to five books throughout the year.
I am creating my own Challenges to read children’s literature from the Pura Belpré awards, the Coretta Scott King Awards and the American Indian Library Award youth winners. As I report on them I will make sure to describe these important awards which RIF promotes through our Multicultural Literacy Campaign.
Finally, a Challenge that is purely for self-interests: The Art History Reading Challenge. I have committed to read at the “Fascinated” level meaning 6 books complete, fiction or non-fiction or a mix. I am looking forward to reading Sargent’s Daughter: The Biography of a Painting as one of the six. Other recommendations?
I have a lot of Happy Reading in front of me over 2010. And in Challenges, the books can usually be counted toward more than one challenge if the categories fit, audio books are acceptable, you don’t have to have a blog to participate as you can post in the comment sections of the sponsoring blog in most instances. Leave any questions you have in my comment section; I am new at this, too, but I will help you find answers!
Indeed, Happy Reading!
Carol
4 comments January 21st, 2010