Middle Grade Madness! discussion

Here we are again for our FOURTH TBR Challenge! Time really does fly!

The rules:
- Try reading only books that are already on your TBR to finish the tasks, but if you can't find one to fulfil a task then it's ok to read just any book.
- The books you read can be MG, YA, NA or adult.
- Try finishing as many of the tasks as you can.
- There's no time limit, spend all year completing the challenge if you like!

The tasks:
1. Read a book about an uprising or revolution.
2. Read a book with a link to the environment.
3. Read a book with a purple cover.
4. Read a book set on a boat or harbour.
5. Read a book published during or before the early 2000s.
6. Read a book with illustrations.
7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers.
8. Read a book belonging to the humour genre.
9. Read a book that is the second book in a series.
10. Read a book that is a coming-of-age story.

Why I chose these tasks:
1. Commiserating the coup in Myanmar, the civil war in Ethiopia, the unrest in Afghanistan and in many more countries.
2. Marking the importance of the climate change crisis and the COP26 summit.
3. Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2022 is Very Peri: a shade of periwinkle blue and violet.
4. Remembering the Ever Given ship which brought supply chains to a standstill for an entire week after getting stuck sideways in the Suez Canal.
5. Commemorating Internet Explorer after Microsoft stopped its support of the popular long-running internet browser in August.
6. Collins’ Word of the Year for 2021 is NFT which stands for Non-Fungible Token and involves the sale of digital art.
7. In honour of all the awesome movies and shows featuring superheroes that have come out in 2021.
8. Do we ever need a reason to laugh?
9. In honour of our group’s 2nd anniversary!
10. In honour of you! And all your growth during a tough year.

Please note that I've listed the tasks early so you can start to think about what you might read for the challenge.
This challenge starts in January 2022 so please don't start reading books for it now!

Hehe me too Annie! It’s such a great way to target your TBR. Granted you don’t read many books for it but the task are a nice mix of specific and vague so it gets you to read some books you’d probably never have picked out of your TBR otherwise, which is great!

i usually have great intentions to do the challenge, but then i forget about it a few weeks in and don’t ever complete it. so, next year i think i am going to set a goal for myself to complete it by the end of february. hopefully i will actually finish it this time!

@Grace I feel you on that! Every year I say I’m going to complete this challenge and then I never do😭 from the 2021 challenge I’ve only read 5 of the 10 tasks but I shall consider that a success and next year is a chance to try again! Hopefully we both finish this challenge!

Wow! This challenge sounds awesome. I think I'll try it this year.

I have a question, could we also read non fiction?

@Satrina absolutely! For some tasks it’ll fit outright but for others you can alter the tasks slightly to fit nonfiction books so for example for task 4 instead of the book being set on a boat you could read a nonfiction book about fishing or warships if you wanted to.
It’s a flexible challenge so as long as what you read keeps in spirit with each task and links in some loose way then it’s good enough!

Kadi wrote: "@Satrina absolutely! For some tasks it’ll fit outright but for others you can alter the tasks slightly to fit nonfiction books so for example for task 4 instead of the book being set on a boat you ..."

Great! I was thinking mainly about tasks 2 and 8. Thanks!

First time taking part! :D

@Satrina ooh I’ll be interested to see what nonfiction you pick for task 8!

@patronusgranger awesome! So happy you’re taking part😊

I must now go through the arduous task of scrooolling through my super huge TBR to pick out books for each task! Who am I kidding, picking the books is definitely the fun part of this challenge😂

Looks great! I’m in

i just picked out my books for this challenge! i went to the very bottom of my tbr and tried to pick out the books that have been on there the longest. the only task i couldn’t find a book for was #2, so i’ll just have to look for something not on my tbr. any recs would be appreciated 👀😂

@Eden yesss!

@Grace you can share your book choices if you like! Just copy the tasks and paste them and then you can add the book names beside each task and tick or cross them off as you go if you want. I like to do that, sort of like a checklist! I love checklists, makes you feel like you accomplished a lot😂

@Grace also for task #2 here’s some helpful lists:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5... (mix of adult, YA and MG)
https://bookriot.com/ya-climate-ficti... (YA only)
https://readingmiddlegrade.com/middle... (MG only)

Also I perused my own shelves and came up with (in no particular order):
A Thousand Perfect Notes, a main character is very driven in advocating for the environment (trigger warning: child abuse)
Lost Bullet, set in the near future so there are some heightened environmental disasters which impede on the teen detective’s murder investigation (it is the second book in the series but it could be a good incentive to read the first book too, they’re both good!)
Poison Ivy: Thorns, the protagonist loves plants and strongly advocates for protecting the environment (it’s a graphic novel)
Suspicion (urban fantasy but technically still applies)

Here are my picks:

1. Read a book about an uprising or revolution. - Siege
2. Read a book with a link to the environment. - Twitch (he’s a birdwatcher and it’s set in the woods so that’s a link I guess)
3. Read a book with a purple cover. - Dead City
4. Read a book set on a boat or harbour. - The Ship of Stolen Words
5. Read a book published during or before the early 2000s. - Tom's Midnight Garden (published in 1958)
6. Read a book with illustrations. - The House with a Clock in Its Walls
7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers. - Glimpse
8. Read a book belonging to the humour genre. - Small Medium at Large
9. Read a book that is the second book in a series. - Rise of the Elgen
10. Read a book that is a coming-of-age story. - Jasper Jones

Ooh I'm excited to do this again!! I'll try to post my list sometime during the wee

Hey Spencer! Looking forward to seeing what you pick😊

Hi, this is my first time 😊 How do we do this? Am I supposed to post review or something?

Hey Lia! So if you want you can list which book you choose for each task. Then once 2022 starts and you start reading some of the books, you can come back and tick or cross them off your list on this discussion page.

I like to share my reviews once I’m done reading books for any of the group events and you can do that too if you want to! Or you can just share some thoughts you had on the book once you finish one of them. Some people in the past have also finished all the books first and then shared their thoughts on all of them all at once, comparing which were their faves and least faves.

There’s no one specific way of doing it, so really it’s up to you and whatever you’re comfortable with and have time to do😊
If you want to see some examples of how we’ve discussed our TBR Challenge reads in the past I definitely recommend reading through some of last year’s discussion page here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
It could also give you some ideas on books to choose if any are already on your TBR!

I'm in. Oh, I do love looking for books to fit the prompts.

Working on it.
1. Read a book about an uprising or revolution. Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz - The Russian general wants to explode a nuclear bomb in Russia to start a revolution causing the overthrow of the current president and send Russia back to the era of the USSR. 1/16/2022 ***
2. Read a book with a link to the environment. When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting - In the book, event planning company, Spark House, works hard to find sponsors for events that are promoters of eco-friendly materials and ideas. 1/15/2022 ***
3. Read a book with a purple cover. All the Feels by Olivia Dade 1/25/2022 ****1/2
4. Read a book set on a boat or harbour. Alex Rider hides for days on the boat of Major Yu. Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz 1/21/2022 ***1/2
5. Read a book published during or before the early 2000s. Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz - Originally published in the year 2000 - 1/12/2022 ***1/2
6. Read a book with illustrations. Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz - This book has pictures of newspaper articles and headlines, notes, as well as pages from books. 1/16/2022 ***1/2
7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers. Through Her Touch by Deborah Camp - The main characters in this book have psychic powers. 1/30/2022 ***
8. Read a book belonging to the humour genre. Insane City by Dave Barry The crazy events that take place in this story are all aimed at creating humor. 1/18/2022 ****
9. Read a book that is the second book in a series. Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz - 1/13/2022 ***1/2
10. Read a book that is a coming-of-age story. Fledgling by Mark A. Cooper - 1/5/2022 ***

Kadi wrote: "Hey Lia! So if you want you can list which book you choose for each task. Then once 2022 starts and you start reading some of the books, you can come back and tick or cross them off your list on th..."

Ok...got it!!!
Thanks 😄 I'll try to prepare my list then

Can anyone help me with prompt 10? I really have no idea what kind of book this is

Lia wrote: "Can anyone help me with prompt 10? I really have no idea what kind of book this is"

Prompt 10 refers to a story where a young person learns life lessons causing them to mature into young adults or adults.

Yep Lynn is right! And to build on that, coming of age is a popular theme in contemporary books but can also feature in other genre books where a young adolescent learns life lessons and matures out of childhood to adulthood in some way (so it’s usually in MG or YA books only). There’s usually a focus on the protagonist’s character growth and internal monologues.

Here’s a good list of some of them so you can get an idea on the type of books that are coming of age:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Kadi wrote: "Yep Lynn is right! And to build on that, coming of age is a popular theme in contemporary books but can also feature in other genre books where a young adolescent learns life lessons and matures ou..."

I just knew you would do a better job than I ever could at explaining the meaning of "coming of age." You're just so good as a moderator. 😊

2022
4/10

1. Read a book about an uprising or revolution - Red Rising (#650)
2. Read a book with a link to the environment - Dune (#84) ✔️
3. Read a book with a purple cover - The Diviners (#77) ✔️
4. Read a book set on a boat or harbour - The Terror (#254)
5. Read a book published during or before the early 2000s - Juego de tronos (#2) ✔️
6. Read a book with illustrations - La niña que recorrió Tierra Fantástica en un barco hecho por ella misma (#245)
7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers - Vicious (#91) ✔️
8. Read a book belonging to the humour genre - Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir (#850)
9. Read a book that is the second book in a series - Hollow City(#15)
10. Read a book that is a coming-of-age story - I Capture the Castle (#166)

Kadi wrote: "@Satrina ooh I’ll be interested to see what nonfiction you pick for task 8!

@patronusgranger awesome! So happy you’re taking part😊"

I'll check my huge TBR and see what I come up with :D

Got it!!!
Thanks @Lynn and @Kadi 😊

wow @kadi thanks for the recs for task 2! here’s my list :)

1. Read a book about an uprising or revolution. - Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary
2. Read a book with a link to the environment. - The Friendship Lie
3. Read a book with a purple cover. - Stardust
4. Read a book set on a boat or harbour. - The Wanderer
5. Read a book published during or before the early 2000s. - Artemis Fowl
6. Read a book with illustrations. - not sure yet
7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers. - Renegades
8. Read a book belonging to the humour genre. - The Dark Prophecy
9. Read a book that is the second book in a series. - The Arctic Incident
10. Read a book that is a coming-of-age story. - Anne of Green Gables

2. Read a book with a link to the environment. Heidi
5. Read a book published during or before the early 2000s.The Silver Chair
6. Read a book with illustrations. Return to Roar
7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers.
8. Read a book belonging to the humor genre. don't really know any suggestions i only read MG
9. Read a book that is the second book in a series Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow
10. Read a book that is a coming-of-age story. Walk Two Moons

@Lia and @Grace no problem, always happy to help!😊

@Haniya I love your choices so far! You’re going to love Wundersmith! And the Silver Chair was my second fave book in the Narnia series. If you want to discuss Wundersmith whilst you read it after please feel free to do so here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Me and some others buddy read it this year and I loved it so much and I still love to discuss it with people!

For task 8, books belonging to the humour genre, if you’re looking for MG recommendations check out this page here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I’ll be reading one of the recs from there, Small Medium at Large and if you end up picking that too we could buddy read it if you like. If none of those suit your fancy there’s more on this list too: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Hope you find something you like!

Lynn wrote: "I just knew you would do a better job than I ever could at explaining the meaning of "coming of age." You're just so good as a moderator. 😊"

😭 you’re so sweet, thank you!!😊 Honestly I couldn’t do it without fantastic group members like you taking part in events and really getting stuck in. You make it a joy for me!

Speaking of getting stuck in, I just changed my choice for task 9 (the sequel one) to Michael Vey book 2 Rise of the Elgen. I remember you enjoyed book 1 too so if you have the time and you’re interested we could maybe buddy read book 2 sometime next year...

Kadi wrote: "@Lia and @Grace no problem, always happy to help!😊

@Haniya I love your choices so far! You’re going to love Wundersmith! And the Silver Chair was my second fave book in the Narnia series. If you w..."

Thanks a lot I'll try to read either the book you recommended or pizzaz and belly up

Kadi wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I just knew you would do a better job than I ever could at explaining the meaning of "coming of age." You're just so good as a moderator. 😊"

😭 you’re so sweet, thank you!!😊 Honestly I..."

Ooo, I was thinking about doing that too.

This sounds like fun! I really appreciate your links to various lists that will fit the categories. I'm going to aim to fill these with as many middle grade books as I can. I certainly have enough in my TBR list!! Upon checking, however, nary a one with a boat or harbor, no revolutions or environmental! Ah well. I'm sure I'll find just the right books for each category! One of my favorite books with illustrations is Wonderstruck if anyone is still looking for suggestions.

1. Read a book about an uprising or revolution.A Wolf for a Spell
2. Read a book with a link to the environment. Root Magic
3. Read a book with a purple cover. Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments
4. Read a book set on a boat or harbour. The Darkdeep
5. Read a book published during or before the early 2000s. Tom's Midnight Garden
6. Read a book with illustrations. City of Secrets
7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers. The Girl with the Silver Eyes
8. Read a book belonging to the humour genre. Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
9. Read a book that is the second book in a series. The Princess of Trelian
10. Read a book that is a coming-of-age story. The Story Peddler

@Georgann thanks for the recommendation! I actually am looking for a book for the task about illustrations. Alas, wonderstruck is not on my TBR shelf and I want to pick something already on there. Do you or anyone else have any recommendations for books with illustrations? It's really hard to figure out what might be illustrated just from looking on my TBR!

For the environment one, if you haven't already seen it, I put some recommendations in this comment here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... so that might help.
For the boat one I really recommend Stowaway. I read it last year in one sitting and it's such a good standalone middle grade novel! Great storyline with good characterisation and a mixture of emotions and action.

@Kadi P, what about Alice in Wonderland? That book has illustrations.

Patronusgranger12 wrote: "@Kadi P, what about Alice in Wonderland? That book has illustrations."

That's a good suggestion! But it's on my DNF shelf not TBR shelf. I could still read it anyway, but the reason I DNF'ed it was because I found it kinda boring. Do you have any other recommendations?
The only books I can think of are ones I've already read😂 which is not very helpful for this particular challenge!

I found a good list of illustrated books here if anyone else needs help with that task: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
And I've managed to pick a book from there that I think was already featured in one of the group events last year!

Kadi wrote: "I found a good list of illustrated books here if anyone else needs help with that task: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8..."

Thank you! Now I have picked my book for that task.

On a side note: I'm glad to know I'm not the only one to find Alice in Wonderland boring...

Satrina wrote: "Thank you! Now I have picked my book for that task.

On a side note: I'm glad to know I'm not the only one to find Alice in Wonderland boring..."

It's one of those books where I like the concept but find the execution so long-winded and dull. I also have an aversion to classics or extremely formal old books so that could be it too. It's a shame really because I would've loved to love the book and not just the idea of it.

Also, always glad to help😊 Hope you enjoy whatever you ended up picking!

Wahoo🎉 I’ve finished picking all my books, check ‘em out here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I’m going to be starting Tom's Midnight Garden today! I’m really not wasting a second here😂

I've chosen my books...but so many are the first in a series! Yikes! Perhaps I will have to change some. Ha ha!

Still haven't chosen!! Ahh! o.o However, as I'm currently reading Catching Fire, maybe that could count as a book regarding an uprising. (As well as Mockingjay, I intend to finish the entire Hunger Games trilogy during the year.)

@Kadi P, glad you found a good illustrated book!

Hopefully I actually finish this year!! I'm going to try to fulfill all the tasks with middle grade books again.

1. *finished* Read a book about an uprising or revolution.

(Not exactly a revolution, but I feel like this fits the spirit of the task.)

2. *finished* Read a book with a link to the environment.


3. *finished* Read a book with a purple cover.


4. Read a book set on a boat or harbour.
*
I'm excited for this task because I love seafaring adventures!

5. *finished* Read a book published during or before the early 2000s.


6. *finished* Read a book with illustrations.


7. Read a book with a protagonist who has superpowers.
I feel like I should have something to fit this, but I keep going over my TBR and can't seem to find anything.

8. Read a book belonging to the humour genre.
I don't read much from this genre, so I'm not sure what book might fit this task. Recommendations would be appreciated!

9. *finished* Read a book that is the second book in a series.


10. *finished* Read a book that is a coming-of-age story.


*For now some of these are just placeholders because I have multiple books that will fit the task on my TBR. I'll fill it in with whichever I read first.