The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

50.1 - Ms Anderson's task: For the Love of Middle School

I absolutely adored middle school, and I also love that age group--young enough that they still have the charming idealism of youth, but old enough that you can have a decent discussion with them. So it's little wonder that I trained to be a middle school teacher!

Right now, I'm working with eighth graders, and they helped me create this task. Anyone who knows a 13- or 14-year old knows that they have very firm opinions about things, so I polled my homeroom kids as to what was "cool," both in books and in general.

Book 1: The Girls Like...
Pretty Little Liars was the most popular book, and they always make time to watch the show every week. Read a book that is also a television show or TV mini-series. If the book is part of a series, any book in that series may be used. Ex. Little House on the Prairie, Pride and Prejudice, Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn These lists might help: TV programs based on novels, TV Mini-series based on books, Books that are also TV shows. As with all lists, make sure the book you chose actually fits the task. If you are not sure, ask in the appropriate help thread.

Book 2: The Boys Like...
Oh, this was easy. They love The Hunger Games. (For the girls, this was a very close second to PLL). For this task, read a book shelved as "Dystopia." Ex. We, 1984, Among the Hidden Dystopia must appear as one of the genres on the book's main page.

Book 3: Everyone Loves...
Roll a die to determine which book you read for the last one. Required: State your die roll when you post.
1. Short books: read a book between 100-200 pages.
2. Skyrim: read a novel shelved either "Fantasy" or "Adventure." Either fantasy OR adventure (or both) must appear as one of the genres on the book's main page.
3. Ugg Boots: read a book with shoe(s) on the cover. Required: Post the cover of the book when you post.
4. Lacrosse: read a book with an athlete as a main character (nonfiction is OK).
5. Call of Duty: read a book on a friend's "currently reading" shelf at the time you select your book. Required: Tell us which friend you picked and the date you picked your book from their currently reading shelf when you post.
6. Rocky Balboa (okay, this was just one kid, but man was he vehement): read a book that was first published in the 1970s.

As always, if the connection isn't clear, explain it in your post.

Approved!

Book 1
The book has to be related to the show directly (book based on a specific show or a show based on a specific book/series). It doesn't matter which came first as long as there is a direct connection.

Will Work:
-206 Bones --> Bones
-Logan's Run --> Logan's Run
-Any Masterpiece Theater --> List of books they've done
-Déjà Dead
-The Day of the Triffids
~~~

Book 2
Will Work:
-Divergent
-Feed
-After the Apocalypse

~~~

Book 3
1. Will Work:
-The Red Pony

2. Will Work:
-Infernal Devices
-The Book of Three

3. If you can point out the shoes on the cover, it'll work. One shoe is fine, as well.
Will Work:
-Cinder

4. Will Work:
-Lewis Hamilton

5. (notes to come as needed)

6. (notes to come as needed)

Not Approved

Book 1
Being George Washington

~~~

Book 2
(notes to come as needed)

~~~

Book 3
(notes to come as needed)

This thread is now open.

Can the books be inspired by the TV show? Would Star Trek or Dr Who novels work, for example?

ohhh good task and yay for it being out today ;)

Super Task!!!
Love Love Love it!

I just want to check on 206 Bones for Cat 1...the TV show Bones is loosely based on the books

I rolled a 3---
Does count
for "shoes on the cover?"

Thanks

Will this work for Book 1-
Logan's Run
It was a TV show for a short time---

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075527/

Thanks---

Book 1: . Your class has great taste, I love this series!

Book 2:

Book 3: Rolled a 5, so I chose as my friend Sky has it marked as currently reading.

I have some Pretty Little Liars I have to read or I was going to do 1st to Die for book 1.

For the first book, there was a 1984 mini-series called George Washington and the list didn't specify a particular book. Could I use Glen Beck's new book on Washington for this task? Being George Washington

Kristi (Passion for the Page) wrote: "Can the books be inspired by the TV show? Would Star Trek or Dr Who novels work, for example?"

I'm not going to be too picky on which came first, the show or the book. As long as its the right length, it'll work.

~~~

Dee wrote: "I just want to check on 206 Bones for Cat 1...the TV show Bones is loosely based on the books"

Since there's a definite connection between the book and the show, it'll work.

~~~

Kathy G. wrote: "Will this work for Book 1-
Logan's Run
It was a TV show for a short time---

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075527/

Thanks---"

That's fine.

~~~

Luckngrace wrote: "For the first book, there was a 1984 mini-series called George Washington and the list didn't specify a particular book. Could I use Glen Beck's new book on Washington for this task? Being Ge..."</i>

I would rather the book be related directly to the show, such as a novelization of a mini-series (ex. [book:Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries came after the show) or a mini-series based on a particular book (ex. John Adams spawned an HBO mini-series). While the topic (George Washington) is the same for your book and series, it won't fit in that context.

Since friends change their "currently reading shelf" quite often, should we also post the date? I'm wondering because I rolled a 5 for Book 3.

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Since friends change their "currently reading shelf" quite often, should we also post the date? I'm wondering because I rolled a 5 for Book 3."

That would probably be helpful for the mods to know. Thank you for suggesting that!

Ms Anderson wrote: "Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Since friends change their "currently reading shelf" quite often, should we also post the date? I'm wondering because I rolled a 5 for Book 3."

That would probably be help..."

You're welcome. I love your task! Your Kids are wonderful!

Kathy G. wrote: "I rolled a 3---
Does count
for "shoes on the cover?"

Thanks"

Oops! Forgot to add this one to the thread above. Yes, it works, since you can see the shoes.

Book 1

is a 1997 British/German Mini-series filmed for PBS Masterpiece Theatre. I saw this version on PBS; it wasn't as good as the movie w/ Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaigne.

Book 2

listed as Dystopia

Book 3

I rolled a 5.

??? Dunno yet - ??? friend - ??? date on "currently reading" shelf

Ms. Anderson, approve or disapprove?

I must say...I LOVE this task! :) I'm beginning my third semester of graduate study for my master's in teaching (language arts/English) and after working with seventh graders last semester during my practicum experience, I'm definitely hoping for a job with middle schoolers when I graduate. :) Excellent task!

For Book 3 #3, will work since it's only one shoe?

Would these do?

Book 1: The Girls Like...


Book 2: The Boys Like...


Book 3: Everyone Loves...
2.

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Book 1

is a 1997 British/German Mini-series filmed for PBS Masterpiece Theatre. I saw this version on PBS; it wasn't as good as the movie w/ Lawrence Olivier and Joan ..."

Both of those are fine. I was planning on using Divergent, too.

~~~

Randi wrote: "For Book 3 #3, will work since it's only one shoe?"

One shoe will work.

~~~

Midu wrote: "Would these do?

Book 1: The Girls Like...


Book 2: The Boys Like...


Book 3: Everyone Loves...
2. "

Yes for all three.

Thanks!

These are my selections:
Book A: Perfect(Pretty Little Liars #3)
Book B: Divergent
Book C: Third Watch (for the fantasy option)

Thank you! :)

Book 3
#2
Can I use The Book of Three?

Cathy wrote: "Book 3
#2
Can I use The Book of Three?"

Sounds good!

Thank you :)

Ms Anderson wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Book 3
#2
Can I use The Book of Three?"

Sounds good!"

Thanks!

I rolled a #4 for part C. Would you consider a formula 1 race car driver and athelete? I was thinking of reading

Many thanks,
Metshaft

LOVE this task. i teach 3rd grade and can't imagine teaching any older than that, but i love that you can do fun things like this with your students! :)

i was thinking of the following and i'm hoping i can get your approval:

Book 1: The Day of the Triffids
Book 2: After the Apocalypse: Stories
Book 3: i rolled a 1, so The Red Pony.

thanks for your help! :)

Would a Sweet Valley High book work for Book 1?
It was a tv show in the 90's.
Thanks

Paul wrote: "I rolled a #4 for part C. Would you consider a formula 1 race car driver and athelete? I was thinking of reading

Many thanks,
Metshaft"

Knowing a few racing enthusiasts (and therefore knowing way more about it than I ever wanted), I would call it a sport--it apparently takes way more training and endurance than one might expect.

Short answer: yes, that book is fine.

~~~~

kiki wrote: "LOVE this task. i teach 3rd grade and can't imagine teaching any older than that, but i love that you can do fun things like this with your students! :)

i was thinking of the following and i'm ho..."

All three sound good! I hadn't realized Day of the Triffids was a TV show, too! I'm going to have to look that up.

Keltie Lee wrote: "Would a Sweet Valley High book work for Book 1?
It was a tv show in the 90's.
Thanks"

Let me consult with the mods about this one. I know the protagonists are in high school, but I distinctly remember reading them as a supplement to my Baby-Sitters Club addiction in 3rd/4th grade, so I'm just worried about what they might say regarding the amount of "white space."

Thanks Ms Anderson. Sweet task by the way! I love your method of picking topics.

Just wanted to double check my books?

Book 1:
The Awakening

Book 2:
1984

Book 3:
Rolled 5-Then Came You-Fried Mindy Furr is reading it...

I rolled a 4 for the third book. Could an animal be the athlete? I am thinking of Seabiscuit.

★Meghan★ wrote: "Just wanted to double check my books?

Book 1:
The Awakening

Book 2:
1984

Book 3:
Rolled 5-Then Came You-Fried Mindy Furr is reading it..."

All three work! Just remember to post the date you chose book 3 when you post the task.

~~~~

Bea wrote: "I rolled a 4 for the third book. Could an animal be the athlete? I am thinking of Seabiscuit."

Still has to train and everything for the races, so I'll count this.

great, thank you! :)

Ms Anderson wrote: "Keltie Lee wrote: "Would a Sweet Valley High book work for Book 1?
It was a tv show in the 90's.
Thanks"

Let me consult with the mods about this one. I know the protagonists are in high school, bu..."

According to the mod I asked, it will work.

Hi there!! I am just back after several Challenges away and I squeed like a little girl when I read this task -- SO FUN!!!

For Book 3, I rolled a 1. I read an ebook that is not in print form (so no page equivalent). On my Nook it seems to run just over 100 pages and is described as a "Novella". The whole eBook is longer (180 pages, maybe?) but there are excerpts from other books at the end. I guess in a print book, those would count, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, would this count as a Book Between 100 and 200 Pages?

Winning the Wallflower: A Novella by Eloisa James

Thanks!

Ashley FL wrote: "Hi there!! I am just back after several Challenges away and I squeed like a little girl when I read this task -- SO FUN!!!

For Book 3, I rolled a 1. I read an ebook that is not in print form (so..."

Because its only on Kindle, you will need to post in the ebook thread to determine whether or not it's long enough.

Thanks... Love your task by the way!

Ms Anderson wrote: "Still has to train..."

Thanks!

I know that several of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot books have been made into TV shows. Will any of them work of does it actually have to be one that was made into a show?

Sue T wrote: "I know that several of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot books have been made into TV shows. Will any of them work of does it actually have to be one that was made into a show?"

Because the shows were based on the books, anything from those series will count.

Can I check that the following are ok?

1)10th Anniversaryby James Patterson- The short lived Women's Murder Club series were based on this series of books

3) I rolled a 3 & was thinking of reading - Do the baby shoes work?

Ms Anderson wrote: "Sue T wrote: "I know that several of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot books have been made into TV shows. Will any of them work of does it actually have to be one that was made into..."

Thanks!

I just wanted to check if these are ok:

1. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

2. Animal Farm by George Orwell

3. I rolled a 6. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins (first published 1976)