I have been pleased to be a part of Carrie Gelson’s Must Read in 2017 challenge. I have a list of 66 books that I have been working on. Realistically, I know that I will not reach all of these books. I do not even have access to all of them right now. Some are not even published. I think I felt that if I got to 50 I would be content with that. I am probably on pace to do that. As was the case last year, I did much better before the first update. I had read 20 at that time. Now, I have read 34. Here is a list of the books that I have read since the last update starting with most recent.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson- fantastic YA classic that should be read by early teens for years to come. I wish it were not so necessary.
Stand Off by Andrew Smith- terrific sequel to Winger, another YA title, I get more of those done in the summer.
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell- a Catcher in the Rye ish main character from Britain struggles through adolscence.
School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani- I really wanted to like this but it did not quite come together for me. Lots of action though. Some MG readers will love it.
Worlds Collide by Chris Colfer- The sixth and final Land of Stories tale brought together many characters and plot lines that have beloved by my family for years.
Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon- I love this transitional chapter series. Such a funny take on the imagination of kids, and so perfectly accurate too. I actually read this one before the first update too, but this second read was with my seven year old.
Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder- a thought provoking story about the journey through childhood that leaves you with much to ponder.
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel- An interesting spin on the tale of Viktor Frankenstein.
Every Hidden Thing by Kenneth Oppel- Not my favourite by Kenneth Oppel but a quicker lighter YA read that held my interest but I preferred This Dark Endeavor.
Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol- Very funny picture book!
Snow White by Matt Phelan- an imaginative take on the classic tale set in, I think 1920s New York City. Striking black and white visual images. Clever reinvention of the dwarves. Not an easy one for young readers though.
Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look- I have to say that I kind of liked this early chapter book when I was reading it (probably at the high end of that category) but it did not really stay with me.
The Case of the Stinky Stench by Josh Funk- I love this series. The rhyming and the word play are great with different lines working for different ages, and there are so many little details to discover in the pictures in each reading. Very funny! Like many schools, we love Josh Funk.
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk- I found this one a little slow to build but a very interesting tale of perceptions and prejudices that benefits from discussion.
House Arrest by K.A. Holt- By contrast I raced through this novel in verse and so have several students I gave it to. So much feeling in this book, I kind of want to read it again, right now.
However, if I do it will further impair my ability to get to at least 50 books and hopefully closer to 66, which appears to be out of reach. I had hoped to be in the 40s but so be it. I am starting The War I Finally Won today, which made my list but after that I know I will be distracted by others that are not on the list. I think I am more distracted by the sheer volume and (I think) quality of books I have acquired recently than I thought possibly (Patina, Refugee, Ghosts of Greenglass House just in the last week or so).
Here are the books that are still on my list. Help! Please tell me which ones I need to ensure that I do not miss.
I also have Read the Books Lemmings, which I know I will read and The Fall by Neal Stephenson, a book I was excited to see on Goodreads, but now I am not even sure it will be out. Possibly, the listing was confused with The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Stephenson and Nicole Galland, which I did read. I might give myself that one and up my score to 35. Please let me know which of my books I should not miss out on this year, and thanks for reading. I look forward to seeing the progress of others.
Wriggling Bookworms 
Many of these are titles I loved – House Arrest, Stand Off, Speak . . . You have done some incredible reading! For the books still on your list – I recommend Princess Academy, Drums, Girls and . . . . and Half Brother as true MUST READS!!
LikeLike
Those are three that will stick with me as well. I have been able to give House Arrest to some students, but not the other two. Thanks for your list of three books to try. I have almost cracked Princess Academy three or four times, and then something comes in the mail (The War I Finally Won, which I am finishing tonight) or a student just must have me read something with them. You know how that goes.
LikeLike