Up for a challenge? ***Sticky Post***

(Scroll down for more recent posts.)

UPDATE: I decided to set up a separate blog for the challenge. Head over to What's in a name?" for future info. You can sign up either here or there--I'll try to check both sites. Thanks!

I hope you answered "yes!" and that you'll join me in my reading challenge! I've been wanting to host a reading challenge for a while now, and finally decided to just take the plunge. Be patient with me though, since I've never done this before, o.k.?

This is a challenge that anyone can join, no matter what types of books they like to read. You should be able to find books from any genre that will work.

I'm sorry I don't have a banner for the challenge. I just don't know how to make one.
Update: Thanks to Court, we now have a couple of buttons to choose from. They're wonderful! Thank you, Court!










Update: Angela has also created some great buttons you might like. Find them at her icon journal. Thanks, Angela!


"What's In A Name?" Reading Challenge

Dates: January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008

The Challenge: Choose one book from each of the following categories.

1. A book with a color in its title. Examples might include: The Amber Spyglass, The Red Pony, Blue Blood

2. A book with an animal in its title. Examples might include: The Hound of the Baskervilles, To Kill a Mockingbird, Julie of the Wolves

3. A book with a first name in its title. Examples might include: Jane Eyre, the Harry Potter books, Anne of Green Gables

4. A book with a place in its title. Examples might include: From Russia with Love, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Out of Africa

5. A book with a weather event in its title. Examples might include: The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Red Storm Rising, Tornado Alley

6. A book with a plant in its title. Examples might include: Where the Red Fern Grows, The Name of the Rose, Flowers for Algernon

--You may overlap books with other challenges, but please don't use the same book for more than one category. (For example, you can use The Red Pony for either a "color" book or an "animal" book, but not for both.)

Prizes: Yes. There will be some small prizes (unless someone can convince my parents to raise my allowance!) awarded throughout the challenge, and a larger grand prize at the end. More details about this later.

To join in, simply leave a comment on this post with a link your list. I will post a list of participants here as they sign up.

Once the challenge has begun, I'll make a new post where I will link up everyone's reviews.

See, isn't this easy? Just six books in one year!

Have I left anything out? If so, please feel free to ask!
Answers to questions:
1. You don't need a blog to participate. Just put your list in the comments, and I'll post it here.
2. Feel free to change your list throughout the year, if something new pops up that fits the category.

***A big thank you to Chris for teaching us how to make this a sticky post!

Participants:
--Annie
--Debi
--Raidergirl3
--Diane
--Joy
--3M
--Jean (her list: COLOR--The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, ANIMAL--The Cheese Monkeys, FIRST NAME--Maisie Dobbs, PLACE--The Road, WEATHER EVENT--Isaac's Storm, PLANT--The Bean Trees)
--Maria
--Chris
--Court
--Lynne
--Angela
--Handyfemme
--Daphne
--Nyssaneala
--Athena
--Framed
--Tinylittlelibrarian
--Michelle
--Lightheaded
--Sam
--Melanie
--Christina
--Lenneth
--Kara
--Booklogged
--HoshiChan
--Susan
--Rebecca
--Michelle
--Paula
--Callista
--Nymeth
--Gautami Tripathy
--Rich
--Workingwords100
--Rhinoa
--Lizzysiddal
--Melody
--Dana
--The delinquent debutante
--Alison
--Stephanie
--Lisamm
--Mimi
--SomeReads
--Carl
--The Biblio Brat
--Ennavic
--Shelley
--Juli
--Cath
--Lake Oz Fic Chick
--Karen
--Kristi
--Grammy (her list: NAME--The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis, ANIMAL--The Wolf and the Dove by Katherine Woodiwiss, COLOR--The Silver Touch by Rosalind Laker, PLACE--Texas by James Michener, WEATHER EVENT--Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, PLANT--A Dinner of Herbs by Catherine Cookson)
--Stefanie
-- The Book Fiend
--Sam
--Mos Stef (Stephanie)
--Booksplease
--Beastmomma
--Lesley
--Iliana
--Steve-o
--Caroline
--Stephanie (Happy Medium)

I DID IT!!!

I'm so excited that I finished NaNoWriMo! I'm so glad I decided to try. There were times when I was worried that I wouldn't make it. But now I'm definitely doing it next year!

Thanks, Jean, for all of your support and encouragement! I don't think I could have done it without you!

Obviously, I need to do a lot of editing to whip my story into shape, but I'm going to paste my prologue here, since no one could get to my site:

Winged Wolf’s Cry

Prologue

In a land far away, past rolling hills and dense forests, a winged wolf stood on a ragged cliff. His searching eyes scanned the horizon worriedly. “Talia,” he muttered to himself, “where are you?”

He had been waiting for days, standing there, yearning for that flashing smile and those gleaming eyes. But it never came.

“You never should have let her go alone!” he silently cursed himself. “She never could have made it.”

He remembered all too well those dark pits of torture, where the Enemy captured winged wolves and took them, where his Daemons tortured them until they could stand it no longer…

He could stand it no longer. He howled out loud. The piercing cry echoed off of the cliffs and the caves around him.

“Jalon, you know where you have to go,” the wolf told himself, “before it’s too late…”

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (book review)

This book was for both the Book Awards Challenge and the Four-legged Friends challenge.

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, by Terry Pratchett, is the story of a sly, talking cat named Maurice and his companions, a bunch of rats and a stupid-looking kid named Keith. Maurice is the mastermind behind the biggest pied piper scheme in Discworld. But when he leads Keith and the rats to the town of Bad Blintz, he doesn't know what trouble it's going to cause. Bad Blintz isn't like a normal town... something evil hides here, something that could destroy Maurice's scheme for good.

This book was suspenseful, funny, and dark. It was also a quick read. The characters were well-developed. This was the first book I've read by Terry Pratchett, and I can't wait to read more!

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole Book Eight: The Outcast (book review)

This book is from my Four-legged Friends Challenge list.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole Book Eight: The Outcast, by Kathryn Lasky, is the story of a young Barn Owl named Nyroc. He has fled from his mother, Nyra, a tyrant who rules the Tytonic Union of Pure Ones. This is a group of evil owls who long to take over the owl world. Nyroc yearns to go to the Great Ga'Hoole tree, where noble owls study and fight the Pure Ones. However, first he must fulfill his destiny by heading to the dark place filled inhabited by warring dire wolf clans and volcanoes spewing fire--Beyond the Beyond.

This was the eighth book in the series, but only the second one that featured Nyroc. I enjoyed some of the books more than others. This was one of the better ones. Maybe I feel that way because there were wolves in it, and wolves are my favorite animal. The wolves had a little Macbeth theme going; a lot of their names were characters from the play. I thought that was interesting since I just read Macbeth!

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars.

2 more for the Newbery Challenge (book reviews)

Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, is the story of a black family living in Mississippi in the 1930's. Nine-year- old Cassie doesn't understand why she is humiliated in public by a white girl simply because she is black, or why the night men ride each night to the houses of black families. But after each horrible day, she always has a home and a family to return to. Will it stay that way?

I loved Mildred D. Taylor's moving story! Cassie had to go through many hard times, but she always had the support of her family, no matter what happened, so while this book could be very sad at times, overall, there was a real joy expressed.

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars.


The View from Saturday, by EL Konigsburg, is the story of a group of four very different 6th graders who come together in a pattern of strange events to form the Academic Bowl team for their school.

This book was actually more like four short stories that intertwine to become one big story. I really enjoyed this one!

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars.

The Best of Poe (book review)

The Best of Poe, by Edgar Allen Poe, is a collection of short stories and poems including The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, The Pit and the Pendulum, and many more. Some of my favorites were The Gold Bug and A Tale of the Ragged Mountains. There were also a few a few I didn't like. I found The Black Cat disturbing! Hop-Frog Or The Eight Chained Ourang-Outangs was very weird! Overall, I enjoyed the book very much! It was a fun introduction to Poe.

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars!

Something Wicked This Way Comes (book review)

Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury, is the story of two boys who discover an amazing carnival with a calliope that plays by itself, a tent full of freaks such as The Lava Sipper and the Skeleton, and a carousel that, depending on which direction you ride it, can make you younger or older. Jim, one of the boys, longs to ride the carousel and become older. His friend, Will, is wiser than that. However, one night Jim runs off with one of the carnival's keepers, Mr. Cooger, who has become young again by riding the carousel. Will reluctantly follows. But when Jim accidentally kills Mr. Cooger on the carousel, the boys get caught up in a whirlwind of nightmarish events having to do with the carnival, their families, and the constant battle between good and evil.

I loved Bradbury's fantastic writing! The book was full of vivid descriptions and wonderful writing. I can't wait to read even more of his books!

I give this book 10 out of 10 stars.

My List for "What's in a Name" challenge

Here's my list for the "What's in a name" challenge:

1. Black Beauty by Anne Sewell (a book with a color in its title)

2. Star in the Storm by Joan Hiatt Harlow (a book with a weather event in its title)

3. Molly Moon, Micky Minus, & the Mind Machine by Georgia Byng (a book with a first name in its title)

4. The Tulip Touch by Anne Fine (a book with a plant in its title)

5. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (a book with an animal in its title)

6.Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein (a book with a place in its title)

The Kingdom Keepers (book review)

The Kingdom Keepers, by Ridley Pearson, is the story of five teenagers who find themselves transported to Disney World at night whenever they go to sleep. The five are the chosen people to battle an evil group of Disney villains who've come to life! Can Finn, Maybeck, Willa, Philby, and Charlene save Disney World... and the whole country as well? You can find out by reading this book!

This story's plot was full of twists and turns. The characters were very well developed. I wish there was a sequel...and I wish I could be a Kingdom Keeper!

I give this book 9 out of 10 stars.

The Shadow Thieves (book review)

The Shadow Thieves, by Ann Ursu, is the story of 13-year-old Charlotte, an ordinary girl who lives an ordinary life. But her life transforms to anything but ordinary when she notices the yellow-eyed, white-faced men in tuxedos following her everywhere, she finds a very smart kitten, and her cousin Zee arrives from England. He believes he is the cause of a mysterious disease afflicting his friends in England. When Charlotte's friends start getting sick as well, Charlotte and Zee set out to find a cure. They find themselves in the Greek Underworld, where the angry grandson of Poisedon, Philonecron, kidnaps Zee. Charlotte marches to Hades himself to protest. She learns that Philonecron wants Zee to enchant his army of evil shadows so he can take over the Underworld. Zee is forced to obey. Can Charlotte and Zee save the Underworld in time? Read this book and find out!

I loved this book and I can't wait for the sequel! It was fast-paced, spine-tingling, and funny!

I give this book 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The Sight (book review)

(This book was on both my RIP challenge list and my Four-Legged Friends challenge list.)

The Sight, by David Clement-Davies, is the story of a young wolf named Larka, and an ancient prophecy about her and her pack. But an evil wolf named Morgra hunts Larka down, because she knows that Larka has a power beyond her own. Both wolves have a gift called the Sight, but Larka is the key to unlocking a greater power, and perhaps controlling all wolves in the world. Now her pack is on the run, and Morgra follows their every step. Will Larka ever be safe?

The characters in this book were very well-developed, even though there were a lot of them! It was a page-turner and I finished it in two days. I can't wait to read his other book, Fire-Bringer.

I give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars.

The Halloween Tree (book review)

The Halloween Tree, by Ray Bradbury, is a book about eight boys who, with help from a sinister man, embark on a fantastical journey through time and space to save their friend. They meet witches, mummies, gargoyles, and more as they search for the lost boy. Each boy is dressed in a different costume, and the boys visit the places and times where that "costume" was important (ancient Egypt and mummies, for example). The book sort of tells about how Halloween came to be.

I enjoyed the story and loved the author's way of writing! I can't wait to read more of his books!

I give this book a 9 out of 10 stars.

In other book news:
We went to Borders and I got three new books last night! Thanks to Jean, Mom bought me The Historian. Mom and Dad also bought Air Raid- Pearl Harbor! The Story of December 7, 1941 for me, and I bought Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean, which I'm reading right now.

Midnighters: The Secret Hour (book review)

Midnighters: The Secret Hour, by Scott Westerfield, is the story of a group of teenagers who live in a town called Bixby, Oklahoma. In Bixby, there are 25 hours in a day instead of 24! However, only people born at midnight can move freely during this time. Everyone else is frozen in time! Only these teenagers know about the secret hour. They call themselves the midnighters. But when Jessica Day moves to Bixby, she realizes she has the powers as well. But something is wrong. Creatures of the secret hour that have always left the other midnighters alone openly attack Jessica. Can Jessica and the other midnighters find out what it is before the creatures get her?

This book was fast-paced and frightening. The characters were both well-developed and believable. I really enjoyed the unique premise of this book; it definitely made me wish I was a part of it! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars.

MacBeth (book review)

MacBeth, by William Shakespeare, is the story of a Scottish nobleman named MacBeth and his fall from glory due his hunger for power. After a great victory in battle, MacBeth meets three witches who tell him he will become king of Scotland. After he learns this, MacBeth kills the current king of Scotland, Duncan, and blames it on Duncan's bodyguards. He becomes king because Duncan's sons flee after their father's death. MacBeth also kills a general named Banquo, because the witches said his sons would become kings. Eventually, the other thanes become suspicious of MacBeth and attack his castle. MacBeth is finally killed by an honorable man named MacDuff.

I enjoyed this book, but it took a while to get used to the language, as this was my first experience with Shakespeare. I'd like read more of his work soon. I would also love to see this performed live!

I give this 9 stars out of 10.

Vampire Plagues Book One: London, 1850 (book review)

Vampire Plagues: London, 1850, by Sebastian Rook, is the story of Jack, a twelve- year-old urchin living by the docks of London. When a ship comes in at twilight, Jack knows it's an opportunity for him. However, Jack has never seen a ship like this one before. Only a young boy Jack's age and a flock of enormous black bats are found on the ship. Jack befriends the boy, Benedict Cole, and gets him to tell his horrifying tale of a failed expedition to Mexico and the strange disease that has come to London with him. Now Jack, Ben, and Ben's sister Emily are the only ones who can save London from a horrifying plague and an evil bat god with his minions, the vampires.

This story was full of adventure and horror. From the jungles of Mexico to the streets of London, there is never a boring part in this book! I have got to read the next one!

I give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars!

The Hound of the Baskervilles (book review)

The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is the story of the Baskerville family, who have been haunted by a monstrous hound since the 17th century. The story began with the death of Hugo Baskerville, whose throat was torn out by a huge dog. Centuries later, the spectral hound was thought to be merely a myth. But then Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on the moor with a hound's footprints nearby, and you can't help but wonder--is the legend true? Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are on the case...

This book was suspenseful and spine-tingling. It was certainly a page turner, and the adventure seemed never-ending.

I give this book 8.5 out of 10 stars.

The House With a Clock in Its Walls (book review)

The House With a Clock in Its Walls, by John Bellairs, is the story of ten-year-old Lewis, who leaves his home to live with his eccentric Uncle Jonathan. Lewis is amazed when he is told that both his uncle and his next door neighbor are witches! Lewis wants to learn magic, but his uncle forbids him to use magic books. When Lewis disobeys his uncle and brings evil Selenna Izard back from the dead, he has no idea of the trouble he has caused...

This book was a fast read, and also full of suspense and spookiness. I would not like to read this book in the middle of the night!!

I give this book 8 out of 10 stars.

Ptolemy's Gate (book review)

Ptolemy's Gate, third in the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud, is the story of seventeen-year-old Kitty Jones, who has had an encounter with a demon that she won't forget. The demon's name is Bartimaeus, and earlier he had shown her the pain of having to suffer at human hands. Kitty wonders if there will ever be peace between demons and humans. She summons Bartimaeus and soon gets caught up in a whirlwind of events involving her old rival, a young magician named Nathaniel. She soon finds herself helping Nathaniel, while along the way learning more about the past of Bartimaeus, and discovering a shocking secret.

This book was well-written and humorous, as well as suspenseful. The pages turned quickly! As for the conclusion, it caught me totally off guard!

I give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam (book review)

I read Cracker! The Best Dog In Vietnam, by Cynthia Kadohata, for the four-legged friends challenge. This book was about a boy named Willie, a dog handler named Rick, and a German Shepard named Cracker. It took place during the Vietnam War. When Cracker was taken away from her owner, an 11-year-old boy named Willie, she didn't know what was going to happen. She was paired up with a man named Rick Hanski for military training. But Cracker wasn't so sure about Rick. If he wanted her to trust him, then he had to prove himself to her. By the time the two finally left for Vietnam, they had developed a close bond with one other. However, Cracker was separated from Rick during a battle. Rick was shot, and at the end of the battle, he was picked up by a helicopter and taken to a hospital and then back to America. Would he ever see Cracker again?

This book was very well-written and the characters were very believable people. It was a very sad book, however. Willie lost Cracker and after letting her go, she belonged to Rick and the military. Rick experienced the pain of losing someone close to him when his friend and his friend's dog were shot. His friend ultimately survived and went back to America, but his dog, Tristie, died.

I loved this book and I recommend it to dog lovers and anyone interested in historical fiction.

I give this book nine out of ten stars.

The Big Book of U.S. Presidents (book review)

The New Big Book of US Presidents was by Todd Davids and Marc Frey. There isn't much to say about this one. It was basically your typical gathering of short biographies about the presidents. I did enjoy this book, though. One thing I found interesting were the short snippets about other things that were occurring during each president's time in office.

I give this book 8 out of 10 stars.

And that wraps up another challenge! My completed list:

1. The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan
2. The Cat's Mind: Understanding Your Cat's Behavior by Dr. Bruce Fogle
3. Wolf Country: Eleven Years Tracking the Algonquin Wolves by John B. Theberge with Mary T. Theberge
4. Mysteries of History by Robert Steward, Ph.D.
5. The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents by Marc Frey and Todd Davis