So that’s it!  The end of two reading challenges for 2011, though there are lots of books still in my to-read stack that will spill into 2012.  It’s been really informative to focus my reading in this way.  I still deeply love historical fiction and have great respect for the good work of debut authors—many who wrote historical—twice as good for me.  A number of books are on both lists.  Here is how the two challenges shake out:

Historical Fiction—Needed 15, Recommended 15
Crossing the Tracks, by Barbara Stuber
Forge, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys
The Trouble with May Amelia, by Jennifer Holm
The Year We Were Famous, by Carole Estby Dagg
Okay for Now, by Gary D. Schmidt
Sylvia & Aki, by Winifred Conkling
The Lost Crown, by Sarah Miller
Queen of Hearts, by Martha Brooks
In Trouble, by Ellen Levine
My Name is Not Easy, by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Inside Out & Back Again, by Thanhha Lai
With a Name Like Love, by Tess Hilmo
Anya’s War, by Andrea Alban
City of Orphans, by Avi

Debut—Needed 12, Recommended 13
Crossing the Tracks, by Barbara Stuber
Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys
Warped, by Maurissa Guibord
Words in the Dust, by Trent Reedy
Sylvia & Aki, by Winifred Conkling
The Mostly True Story of Jack, by Kelly Barnhill
Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1, by Colin Meloy with illustrations by Carson Ellis
Frost, by Marianna Baer
Inside Out & Back Again, by Thanhha Lai
The Faerie Ring, by Kiki Hamilton
With a Name Like Love, by Tess Hilmo
The Pull of Gravity, by Gae Polisner
Anya’s War, by Andrea Alban

Editor’s note: These titles can all be found in the alphabetical list on the right.

—Kari Baumbach, children’s literature enthusiast

I’m participating in two reading challenges out in the kidlitosphere this year:

The 2011 Debut Author Challenge, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. The challenge is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade debut authors.  Anyone can join.  Here are some titles I’m considering:

Warped, by Maurissa Guibord
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, by Michelle Hodkin
Luminous, by Dawn Metcalf
Shattered Souls, by Mary Lindsey
Moonglass, by Jessi Kirby
Blood Red Road, by Moira Young
Dogsled Dreams, by Terry Lynn Johnson
Frost, by Marianna Baer

The 2011 YA Historical Fiction Challenge is hosted by Sabrina at YA Bliss.  My goal is Level 3, which is to read 15 historical fiction, young adult or middle grade books this year.  Some titles I’m considering:

The Luck of the Buttons, by Anne Ylvisaker
 In The Shadow of the Lamp, by Susanne Dunlap
Strings Attached, by Judy Blundell
Chime, by Franny Billingsley
Ashes (Seeds of America #3) by Laurie Halse Anderson
Belle’s Song, by K.M. Grant
The Lost Crown, by Sarah Miller
The Year We Were Famous, by Carole Estby Dagg
The Trouble with May Amelia, by Jennifer L. Holm
Sparrow Road, by Sheila O’Connor
Daughter of Xanadu, by Dori Jones Yang
Forgiven, by Janet Fox
Cleopatra Confesses, by Carolyn Meyer
The Vespertine, by Saundra Mitchell
Between Shades of Gray, by Ruta Sepetys (Debut Author)
Crusade, by Linda Press Wulf
Sylvia & Aki, by Winifred Conklin

Join a challenge yourself or follow along.  It’s sure to be a fun ride.

—Kari Baumbach, children’s literature enthusiast