Challenge Wrap-Up

This year I took part in two reading challenges and one personal challenge:

1.  The Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi, The Story Siren

I failed miserably at the Debut Author Challenge.  I thought maybe I could get twelve titles read even though I started late (like August late), but it didn't happen.  I wasn't even close.  I read three debut novels: Firespell by  Chloe Neill, Split by Swati Avasthi, and How to Grow up and Rule the World by Scott Seegert.  Oh well, the point was still made and I added new authors and new books to my ever-growing TBR pile.  Maybe I'll have better luck next year.

2.  100+ Reading Challenge hosted by Home Girl's Book Blog.


This reading challenge included almost everything.  Any novel read in any way, including audio. Even though I joined this one late too, I could count everything from the beginning of the year. And thanks to Shelfari, I still knew what those titles were.  I hit the 100 book mark at the beginning of December.  Click here to see the complete list.


3. Nanowrimo

Participating in nanowrimo was an awesome experience. Almost every day I hit a new high in terms of writing for one specific story idea than I ever had before.  I pulled out a win this year and I still grin like an idiot when I get emails from Nano calling me a writer.  I'm also following up pretty well by editing and rewriting as necessary.  The scariest part is remembering that I agreed to let someone read it.  Dear Someone, Please be gentle. Loves, Jenn

Spies and Terrorists Oh My!

I,Q Book One: Independence Hall by Roland Smith

Sleeping Bear Press, 2008

ISBN: 978158364688

302 pages

5 out of 5

Step-siblings Q (Quest) and Angela are thrust into the work of the U.S. Secret Service and the Israeli Mossad when Angela realizes that she's being followed, and Q learns the secret about Angela's real mother--a former Secret Service agent who was supposedly killed by a terrorist group.  But who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?  I,Q readers are immersed in current issues affecting the world in this edge-of-your-seat, modern-day mystery adventure.

I loved this book!

The story takes place over three or four but it's ridiculous ho much happens.  As the description says, there's Secret Service and Mossad, and terrorists. The description caused some concern that the title might prove to be typical of this type (I'm thinking of those books that claim to have a lot, but fizzle just as they get interesting).  This one definitely surprised me, in a good way.  The story is not what you might think.

As the short time-frame indicates, this book is well paced and has interesting characters.  Readers will appreciate the lack of parents in this novel.  They are there, loving, and good parents, but it fulfills the wish of every kid to have parents that just disappear and let them be for a while.  Q is a great narrator and Angela is the character that spurs the story.   Even with the emphasis on Angela, this book is perfect for boys.  Spies and intrigue is a perfect way to catch their attention.   Finally, the short chapters make for smooth, easy reading.

Sunshine State Readers!

The Sunshine State Readers were announced over a month ago, but I'm finally starting to get them in.  There are quite a few here that will undoubtedly grab the attention of boys.  The ones in bold are ones I will come back to once I've read them.  (The ones with the * are interesting but I'm not sure about them yet; so these are ones I might come back to.)  In the meantime, enjoy the list and Happy Independence Day!

 Seer of Shadows by Avi

Taken by Edward Bloor*

Diamonds in the Shadows by Caroline B. Cooney*

Football Hero by Tim Green

Great Wide Sea by M.L. Herlong

Do Not Pass Go by Kirkpatrick Hill

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

Billy Creekmore by Tracey Porter

Lost Time by Susan Maupin Schmid

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer*

Changeling by Delia Sherman

I.Q.: Independence Hall by Roland Smith

Mercy on These Teenage Chimps by Gary Soto

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli