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