Groups / Writers for Young Adults / My Idea For Teen/YA...
Hi everyone! I started reviewing books on my blog, but found that I was equally interested in reading a lot of the YA books I was hearing about. So I started a second blog where I review books geared towards young adult, teen and tween readers. Inspired by the Fall Into Reading book blogging challenge, I had the idea to create a reading challenge for tweens and teens. Here's my idea...
- It's called Season's Readings, and takes place from the week of Thanksgiving, through the first week of January.
- I'll make a private social network site (like a network community, but free) so that kids who don't have their own blogs are easily able to join and participate.
- Instead of having to read a certain number of books or pages in this time, kids set their own goals. They can also make a list of books they'd like to read.
- Using the blogs provided on the social network OR their own blogs if they have them, kids post at least one weekly blog entry about whatever they're currently reading, their thoughts on it, connections, etc. Blogging prompts will be provided, such as "Which character is most like you?" or "What would you do in this situation?" for kids to choose to use or not use.
- At the end of the challenge, there will be a raffle. Every blog entry that a person wrote will equal one entry into the raffle.
-(Ahead of time, I'll be searching for people to donate prizes for the raffle. For instance, authors might like to donate copies of their Young Adult books, and other swag. If I have money by then <and I plan on it because I'm starting a new job> I might look for extra things to offer as prizes, although I don't really know which affordable things these youngsters like these days. I probably won't be able to buy someone an XBox 360! I'm definitely open to suggestions there!)
- I would probably reach out to teacher bloggers and others who work with kids, to try to get students involved who would not ordinarily find out about the challenge by reading blogs.
So... what do you think? Would anyone be interested in helping? Any ideas? Anyone interested in donating prizes?
I may even try to contact authors and publishing companies for swag... maybe we could even send a goody bag to each participant, so everyone gets something... but I'm getting ahead of myself here!
Thanks, everyone who has responded and offered to help! With your encouragement, I have gotten the ball rolling.
I set up a social network site at http://readingchallenge.mixxt.com. The site will allow the participants to have their own pages, post blog entries, and even participate in groups. I'm making it a "private" group so that each person has to request a membership, only so I can monitor who is on there, since kids are going to be involved.
I've also started contacting authors about donating prizes. One author, CC Hunter, has already responded and offered to donate a book and a T-shirt, plus ten packages of promotional items like pens and notebooks to give out as door prizes.
I'm hoping to get all the prizes organized within the next few weeks, and then start trying to spread the news, so that they will have a completely set up site to come to when they sign up.
If anyone wants to join the social network to help out as facilitators, by responding to kids' blog entries, posting your own blog entries about your books or the writing process, etc, feel free to sign up! I've included a group on there called "Behind the Scenes, which is for any adults helping to put the whole thing together. There's nothing in that group yet, though!
OK Thanks again! I'm getting so excited!
- Nicki
Hi-Good idea. When you get it up and running, I'd be willing to donate a copy of my YA futuristic thriller, Fireseed One. See it here: http://www.amazon.com/Fireseed-One-Catherine-Stine/dp/0984828206/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1349450860&sr=8-1
Hi Nicki,
Great Idea! I am a ReadingSpecialist and also still active in the middle schools and some of the high schools.
I live on Grand Cayman and we have a small school community.
However, I would be interested in helping you with this. As far as donating prized I would be willing to
send sample chapters to these students as incentive and for winners I can order thru Amazon and send books that they like to them. It's pretty expensive to ship from this island.
I have recently written 2 fantasy thrillers for YA. One was picked up by a publisher and should be due for release in Dec.
The other one is awaiting a response from a few more publishers.
You are amazing for getting young teens involved as I constantly seem it hard (esp. for boys) to motivate them to read.
Please contact the schools as they will also help you on board!
Blessings to you!
Lorraine Carey
I'd be willing to donate a few copies of my book, MERCURY IN RETRO LOVE which came out this past May. I think you have a great idea.
Good idea. JMHO. I'd love to see teenagers reviewing. Sounds so much better than the book reports I remember.
Lynn
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