THE FORTY BOOK CHALLENGE “Failure is not an option, so why talk about it?” -Donalyn Miller, The Book Whisperer
“You want me to what?” O You will be reading forty books this year. This includes books that we read together for class. O You will be reading from a variety of genres in order to explore books you might not ordinarily read and to develop an understanding of literary elements, text features, and text structures.
The Expectations O Newbery Award List: 2 O Mythology: 1 O Realistic fiction: 2 O Mystery/Horror: 2 O Historical fiction: 2 O Fantasy: 2 O Science fiction: 2 O Non-Fiction: 2 O Biography, autobiography, memoir: 1 O Graphic Novel: 1 O Personal-choice chapter books: 20 Mrs. Rudder may challenge some of you to read some of the classics of literature as well!
Something to remember… O Any book you read that is more than 350 pages long will count as TWO books.
NEWBERY AWARD O Awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. O There is one Newbery Medal book and then there are “Honor” medals given as well for each year.
Newbery Medal/Honor Book Examples (2012 winners) This website takes you to all of the books with this medal from website
MYTHOLOGY O A traditional story, which may describe the origins of the world and/or of a people. O An attempt to explain mysteries, supernatural events, and cultural traditions. O Usually involves gods or other creatures.
Mythology Examples
Poetry Anthology is also encouraged…..
WHOLE SCHOOL READ O We will read this together
REALISTIC FICTION O Characters are every day people doing every day things O Setting is a modern-day realistic place O Plot consists of realistic events O May highlight social issues
Realistic Fiction Examples
MYSTERY/HORROR O Involves something unknown O Centered around person investigating wrongdoing or obtaining secret information
Mystery Examples
HISTORICAL FICTION O Takes place in the past (forty years before now is considered historical) O Plot (storyline) contains historical events O Characters may be historical figures
Historical Fiction Examples
FANTASY O Contains unrealistic or unworldly elements O Characters may have magical powers in addition to human qualities O Theme is often focused on good versus evil
Fantasy Examples
SCIENCE FICTION O Fantasy that involves or is based on scientific principles O Often set in the future O Can include creative technology that we don’t have today or can include aliens. O The dystopian novels would be classified as science fiction
Science Fiction Examples
INFORMATIONAL O Provides information on a topic O Nonfiction O Organized into sections or categories O No characters or settings
Informational Examples
BIOGRAPHY AUTOBIOGRAPHY MEMOIR O Biography –Story of someone’s life written by someone else O Autobiography –Story of someone’s life written by his/herself O Memoir –a short account of the author’s experiences written by him/herself
Biography/Autobiography/ Memoir Examples
Graphic Novels O a book-length comic O a stand alone story
READER’S CHOICE O All the rest of books are YOUR CHOICE! O One of the books you will choose because you liked another book that you have read – they somehow relate by same author, same series, same genre, same topic, etc. O One will be recommended by a classmate and one will be recommended by an ECMS faculty member.
You will do great! O Set a goal! O Not including track out days/weeks, you will need to read about one book a week. O Just take it one book at a time. O Don’t get stuck with a book you don’t like! O We are always here to support you as you aim to reach the challenge of reading 40 BOOKS in one school year