It’s time to kickoff the 2017 Hub reading challenge! This challenge is intended to encourage librarians, library workers, and YA lit enthusiasts to dive into the award winner and honor books and YALSA selected lists with the hope of providing excellent readers’ advisory and even discovering a new favorite title or exploring a genre outside of your comfort zone.
Eligible books are the YA titles that were named winners or honor titles the following award and selected lists:
- Alex Award
- Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
- Margaret A. Edwards Award
- Michael L. Printz Award
- Odyssey Award
- William C. Morris Award
- Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks
- Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults
- Top Ten Great Graphic Novels
- Top Ten Popular Paperbacks
- Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
- Schneider Family Book Award
- Stonewall Book Award
- Top Ten of The YA Rainbow List (okay, we added a couple of YA titles that didn’t make the top ten, just to give more options)
- The Amelia Bloomer Project Top Ten List
- Pura Belpré
- Coretta Scott King Awards
How to Participate
- The goal is to read any 25 books of the titles from the above lists and awards—find the list of titles here and here in a sortable spreadsheet!
- Let us know you’re participating by commenting on this post below.
- If you’re going to be tracking what you read/listen to on your blog or on Goodreads, LibraryThing, YouTube or some other site, include a link to your blog/shelf/channel/profile in your comment. If you’re not tracking your reading online, keep a list some other way.
- Make it a social experience! Share your challenge progress and get to know other participants by using the hashtag #hubchallenge on Twitter and Instagram.
- Once a month, we’ll publish a check-in post. Leave a comment to talk about what you’re reading for the challenge. If you’ve reviewed those titles somewhere online, include links to those reviews! Otherwise, let us know what you thought of the books in the comments.
- There will be an finisher form embedded in each check-in post, so once you’re done with the challenge, fill out the form with your name and contact information.
Challenge rewards
Beyond experiencing the best of the best that YA lit has to offer, everyone who finishes the challenge will be invited to submit a response to a book they read for the challenge. The response can be text, graphics, audio, video and will be published on The Hub. Furthermore, everyone who finishes the challenge will be entered into a random drawing for our grand prize: a YALSA tote bag full of 2015 and 2016 YA lit! (If the winner is a teacher or librarian or something similar, we’ll also include a few professional development titles.)
Guidelines
- Format matters: a title that has been recognized for both the print version and the audiobook version can be both read and listened to and count as two books, but a book that has won multiple awards or appears on multiple lists in the same format only counts as one title.
- Books must be read/listened to (both begun and finished) since the award winners and selected lists have been released and 11:59pm EST on June 22. If you’ve already read/listened to a title, you must re-read/listen to it for it to count.
- Just about everyone who doesn’t work for ALA is eligible to participate. Non-ALA/YALSA members are eligible. Teens are eligible. Non-US residents/citizens are eligible. (More eligibility questions? Leave a comment or email us.)
- Once you finish the challenge, we’ll contact you with details about creating and publishing your response.
- The grand prize winner will be selected by 11:59pm EST on June 23. The winner will be notified via email.
If you have any questions or problems, let us know in the comments or via email. Happy reading!
Definitely participating! I’ll be tracking my reading on my blog: https://librarytalk.blog/
FUN!
I’m definitely in.I will be tracking my reading on my blog: https://booksandbassets.wordpress.com
Yes! I’ve been waiting for this post! The challenge last year pushed me out of my normal YA comfort zone, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s on the list this year. I’ll keep track of what I read here: https://booksandbibliotheks.wordpress.com/
I’m in! I’ll be tracking my progress on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/59817-sarah?shelf=hub-challenge-2017
I will be participating and posting reviews on Goodreads
This will be my 6th year participating and I hope to get some of my Teens on board as well! Thank you HUB team!
I’ll be participating! I’m excited to read some of the great books I missed last year. I’ll be tracking my reading on all the social media and on my blog: http://thatlibrarianlady.com
I have been eagerly waiting for this announcement! I’ll be tracking my reading on my blog http://friendreginarenee.blogspot.com/
I’m in for my third year and very much looking forward to it.
I will be participating! As always, I’ve read a lot of books on the list, so this always helps me push a little further out of my regular reach.
I am participating!
I’m in! I will be blogging at http://www.alibrarianslibrary.com :)
I’m in!
I’m in! I love doing this reading challenge!
I love this challenge! The best part is all the great books I can recommend to my students!!
This sounds like fun! I am always looking for a way to push myself and have a good challenge with my students. I am in! I will be keeping track on Google Sheets and possibly Goodreads..
Count me in!
I’m so excited to participate again this year! I’ll be tracking on Instagram @tiffanydelias and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/tiffanygraciela
Can’t wait to discover some new favorites!
I’m going to try this again. Last year’s attempt was pitiful but I’m feeling more hopeful this time around. I’ll track on Good Reads and twitter.
Participating, OF COURSE!
I’ll be participating again. Here is my shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7069543?shelf=2017-yalsa-hub-challenge
I’ll be participating again this year! Here is my shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7069543?shelf=2017-yalsa-hub-challenge
I’ve been waiting for this announcement! I’m in!
The Google Doc containing the list of titles is only 96 items long, and four of them (If I was Your Girl, Salt to the Sea, Nimona, and Burn Baby Burn) are listed twice.
I am participating!
I’m so in!!! I look forward to this every year!
Here’s a link to my goodreads page
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2760690-jody?shelf=hub-challenge-2017
Let’s go! Tracking here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3931928-jennifer?shelf=yalsa-hub-challenge-2017
Participating!
Challenge accepted!
YAY! I’ve been waiting for this! I’m participating!
I’m going to try, once again. Hopefully this year I’ll read 25!
I didn’t do a very good job of keeping this up last year, but I’ll try again this year and hope I do a little better ^_^
I will participate, sounds great!
Participating! https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/35074436-alyssa?shelf=2017-hub-reading-challenge
Looking forward to participating in this year’s challenge. I will be recording my books on Goodreads and hope to encounter some great reads along the way.
I’m in! I came so closer to finishing last year but hit a reading road block. I’ll be tracking on my blog but mostly on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3591728-jennie?shelf=2017-hub-challenge-read.
Happy Reading, everyone!
Yessss! I have also been waiting for this! This challenge is such a good way for me to stay on top of YA lit! I’ll be keeping track on my Goodreads shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1938435-amy?shelf=2017-yalsa-hub-challenge
Participating! Hopefully I get closer to victory this year! Haven’t decided whether I’ll track my progress on my blog or not, will let you know if I do.
Are the books on the list of 98 the only ones eligible, or any on the lists on the award winner links?
For lists like BFYA and Quick Picks, they focus on the top ten (for Rainbow we included a couple YA titles that weren’t on the top ten). Really, the point of the challenge is to read great YA or teen-centric books that you’ve missed and get outside your comfort zone, so if you want to include a few from the linked lists that didn’t make the “top ten” cut, go ahead. It’s your challenge. Use it how you see fit.
I’m in!
Tracking on Goodreads.
I’m giving it a shot!
Thanks for the challenge, I’m going to give it a try.
I’m in. Loved it last year because it forced me to read out of my comfort zone.
I’m in.
I’m definitely going to participate! Looking forward to mowing down as many YA books as I can B-)
I’m in! One of my favorite times of the year!
I can’t wait to get started!!!
I didn’t do very good last year but I am up for the challenge! Count me in!
I am in! hopefully I will do better than last year!
I will be participating again, I love the chance to expand my reading and The Hub Challenge is perfect with so many wonderful YA titles. I will review my books on Goodreads at bjneary neary (https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62411) and also on http://nearynotes.blogspot.com/ and on http://www.scoop.it/t/young-adult-novels and on Twitter as @bjneary
Participating! Will have reviews on my goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/38560685-ellie?shelf=2017-hub-challenge
FYI, as I printed out the list on the spreadsheet/worksheet, the authors end at V and Rick Yancey is not on or has been cut off/out. Thank you
It’s fixed!
This sounds great! I’m in! Tracking on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/12030456-ashley?shelf=2017-yalsa-hub-challenge
Hello! I’ve been waiting for this challenge eagerly, and thus I made my own list as soon as they were announced! When checking mine against the spreadsheet, I noticed these titles were left off. It looks like it’s cutting off the last few author names (plus a Sarah Dessen one is missing):
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
We Stand On Guard by Brian K. Vaughan, Steve Skroce, and Matt Hollingsworth
And I Darken by Kiersten White
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
The other list has them all, so it’s just the spreadsheet.
Also, I have a question – The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz is the author award winner for the Pura Belpre, but it’s not on the list. Lowriders to the Center of the Earth (the Belpre honor) is, and from what I can tell they’re meant for about the same audience. Should it be on the list too? Or should Lowriders not be?
Anyway, looking forward to this! I’m tracking here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13324287-anna-chappell?shelf=hub-challenge
I was starting to wonder if you weren’t doing the challenge this year. Glad to see it. I’m tracking on GoodReads. I just finished reading two on the list, so I’m glad you can go back to when the announcements were made.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2072864-kim?shelf=hub-challenge-2017
Finally! Thought it was gone this year. I am definitely participating – gets me out of my comfort zone.
I will participate!
I’m already started…
Question: The list has 95 titles, the spreadsheet only 90. Which is correct?
We fixed the spreadsheet – when I copied it I cut of a couple books from the authors at the end of the alphabet!
I love The Hub Reading Challenge! I’m definitely in. I’ll be keeping track on paper and blogging about favorites at bratneysbooksandmore.weebly.com.
This will be my first year participating, and I am very excited!
Participating.
It seems like we start earlier every year! At least the deadline is still in June!! :)
Favorite Reading Challenge!!!
My daughter, Sarah, and I are pleased to participate. Wonderful idea!
Love that you’re doing it with your daughter! Happy reading.
I’m in! It’s been a few years since I participated, and I’m excited to come back. Here’s my goodreads shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/966742-becky?shelf=2017-hub-challenge
Participating! 3rd times a charm in 2017!!
I will be participating. Last year the challenge pushed me to read books I may not have picked up! Follow me on Twitter as @mwreads.
It’s interesting to read what other people participating in the challenge thought about the books, but there are too many people posting to their Goodreads and personal blogs to check each one. Can we make a group page on Goodreads?
I will be participating! Looking forward to it!
Participating! I’m tracking here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13324287?shelf=hub-challenge
I’m in. Goodreads shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/9321469-margaret?shelf=2027-yalsa-hub-challenge
Will participate.
Challenge accepted!
I will TRY to do this… I am a slow reader!
I will be participating and posting updates on my goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/12651244-nicole-johnson?shelf=yalsa-hub-challenge-2017
I’m in for the 2nd year. MY GR: https://www.goodreads.com/wyokennedy
I will definitely be participating. I look forward to learning about some new YA books through this challenge.
I will be logging my reading on my Goodreads account at:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/38042129-lauren-amanda
I’m in! https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1228669-elizabeth?shelf=2017hubchallenge
I’m late to the game, but I’ll be participating. Here’s the link to my goodreads page.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/895414-kym?shelf=hub-challenge-2017
I’m participating! Hopefully this time the comment will go through. Third time’s the charm? Logging here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13324287-anna-chappell?shelf=hub-challenge
I’ve really been looking forward to this! I’ll be keeping track of my reading on Goodreads and through my library’s book review blog.
I’m in. I will be keeping track on LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com/topic/248317)
This is my 3rd year!
I’ll be tracking mine on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7354817?shelf=yalsa-hub-challenge-2017
Yep. @lainefultz
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5536479-elaine?shelf=hub-challenge-2017
I’ll be reading! I’ll be tracking my reading on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2300357-kate?shelf=2017-hub-challenge
I’m in! Thanks for the motivation…starting with the Alex Awards to reconnect with my juniors and seniors who think they’ve outgrown YA and reading class! I’ll post updates on my blog–JulieConlon.com
I’m going to give it a try! https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5142074?shelf=hub-challenge-2017
Looking forward to the challenge! Will be posting to Goodreads most consistently
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2487858-amy
I will participate and share my thoughts on my organization’s twitter page @fchslib. Looking forward to discovering some great titles!
I plan to participate this year. I’ll be keeping track of my books on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1270547-samantha-tai?shelf=yalsa-hub-challenge-2017
I’m in. Tracking on a spreadsheet at http://www.tinyurl.com/HUB2017 and Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/12804534-kristi-starr?shelf=hub-challenge-2017 Also on Twitter as @StarrReadnRun
I love participating in this challenge and reading all the comments and reviews!
I’m in!
I’m in! I’ll be tracking my progress on my Goodreads list. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/7459806-jessica?shelf=2017-yalsa-hub-reading-challenge
I will be participating again! Here is my goodreads shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/23893601-kyna-stys?shelf=2017-hub-challenge
I’m in! I’ll be keeping track on paper, but will check in occasionally on Twitter @joellmatlack
I will be participating and tracking on Goodreads. Thanks for running the Challenge again this year!!
I’m in! https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1100139-melanie?shelf=2017-hub-reading-challenge
I’m going to give this a try! I’m a slow reader, and I have other books to read as well, but I’m still going try. I’ll track them at https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2028078-jane?shelf=2017-hubchallenge
This will be my first time participating! https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/291477-elizabeth?shelf=2017-yalsa-hub-challenge
I’m not sure I will get to 25 by June, but I’m going to give it a try. I’ll be tracking my reading on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2363811?shelf=hub-2017-reading-challenge
Did I miss any check-in posts on the blog since February 4? Like last year, is it okay to listen to an audiobook of any given selection in print? Since the objective of the challenge is to encourage exposure to more YA reading, I think it’s appropriate to accept the audiobook listening. Thanks for your consideration!
Check-in posts will happen monthly at the end of each month, rather than weekly as in the past. Audiobooks count for those books that won audiobooks, but if you want to listen to them for books that won in print, no one will know but you! Use the challenge as you see fit. It’s about keeping up with great YA literature, so do what works for you.
I don’t see The Serpent King on the list. This is my first year trying to read all of the Morris Award Finalists. I don’t want to break any rules, so I am just checking that it counts toward the 25 since it was the Morris Award winner.
The Serpent King counts and is on the list!
I’m in, but I’ve already read so many of these, it really will be a challenge.
This sounds like so much fun, I will definitely be participating! I will be tracking the books I read here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/55727382-joelle?shelf=2017-yalsa-hub-challenge
I’m excited to participate! I’ll track progress on social media, Goodreads @ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5295368-acacia?shelf=2017readinghub, and on my blog: acaciawilson.wixsite.com/literarychronicles
I am participating!!!!
Participating for the first time! I will be tracking my progress on Goodreads.
I will participate and track my progress via https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/53081001-jess?shelf=hub-2017-reading-challenge&utf8=%E2%9C%93
First time participant!
This is my first time participating, but I’m very excited about this! I’ll be keeping track on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5713883-katie-green?shelf=yalsa-2017-hub-reading-challenge
I’m in! First timer on this and a little daunted about fitting it in with all my other reading but here we go!
I am going to give it a go….but one question. The guidelines state about everyone not ALA associated is eligible, even teens, what about adults? :p
Yes, anyone can participate. ALA staff just can’t win the drawing.
Can’t wait to read through all these fantastic books. It’s going to be tough to only choose 25 this year!
Fun! I’ll be participating and keeping track using a shelf on Goodreads!
I’m going to participate too.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/919850-rakisha?shelf=the-2017-hub-reading-challenge
I will be participating. Brooklyn Public Library
I will be participating and keeping track on Goodreads :)
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2301957-kelly
I’m in!
This is great! I’ll be tracking my progress on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5670929-kelsey?shelf=yalsa-hub-challenge
and tweet updates @kelsinbklyn. This is a great motivation to help me stay on track reading the most recent ya on my list!
Will be tracking progress at GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/35632354-athena-danalakis?shelf=yalsa-hub-reading-challenge
I’m in. And it prompted me to (finally) start blogging. Whew. I might be in over my head. :)
https://doctorreadgood.wordpress.com/blog/
Late to the party as always, but happy to participate. I look forward to this challenge every year. It gives me a good reason to chat with my local librarian and helps me stretch out of my comfort zone. I’ll be tracking on my blog:
http://literate-her.blogspot.com/2017/03/yalsa-hub-reading-challenge-2017.html
I’m participating!
I’m getting a super late start this year, but I’m excited about a lot of the titles. This will be my 4th year and I’ll keep track of my progress on http://www.bibliobeat.com. I’ll start off with some of the graphic novels to maybe “catch-up” a little. I’m not a big graphic novel reader, so this will help me widen my horizons!
I’m late to the party but I’m jumping in. I’ll be tracking on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/55240752-amy-rogers?shelf=2017-hub-reading-challenge
I’m in!!
I will give it my best, though I am starting VERY late. But I’m up for the challenge! I will track my progress here: http://everydayteenlibrarian.blogspot.com/.