Diversity on the Shelf Challenge

Challenge Details

1. Any book (by any author) with a main character that is a person of color qualifies for this reading challenge, as well as any book written by an author of color. The goal is to encourage readers have a more diverse reading experience and to support diversity in the publishing industry by reading and reviewing books by or about person of color.

2. The challenge will run from January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 (books read prior to 1/1/2014 do not count towards the challenge). You can join anytime before 12/1/2014. Sign up at My Little Pocketbooks

3. Books can be any format (print, ebook, audio).

4. Novellas, Short story collections, Poetry, Graphic novels/manga, Children Books, and all genres are allowed. 

5. Books can be of any publication date. 

6. You can choose your books as you go or create a list in advance. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

Pick a Level

Choose how many diversity centered books you would like to add to your “read” shelf in 2014:

1st Shelf: Read 1-6 books

2nd Shelf: Read 7 -12 books

3rd Shelf: Read 13 - 18 books

4th Shelf: Read 19 -24 books

5th Shelf: Read 25+ books

Once you pick a level you can go higher and read more books but you cannot go down a level.

The Vengekeep Prophecies

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Farrey, B. (2012). The Vengekeep prophecies. Ill. by Brett Helquist. New York: HarperCollins.

SUMMARY

Jaxter Grimjinx is a thief. A terrible thief. His family is known throughout the provinces as cunning masterminds….except Jaxter. He’s clumsy and slow and thinks too much. However, when a false prophecy turns true, it’s up to Jaxter to save his family and his town.

PLOT ANALYSIS

For years readers have read of witches and wizards who come by their powers naturally. Jaxter is not one of them. Some of his charms are results of his failures. Farrey refreshes readers with a protagonist who doesn’t have it all together. Jaxter certainly never thought himself to be the only hope for his town and family.

Along Jaxter’s journey, he meets some unusual characters—goblins, fellow thieves, half human jackals, spiderbats. Farrey introduces readers to a whole new world of supernatural creatures—too many to keep track of!

Farrey uses Jaxter’s first person point of view to clearly describe the areas in which he’s traveling. However, some of the characters and places are so outlandish that they distract the reader from the actual plot. I was personally so confused the description of a creature that I forgot the purpose of Jaxter meeting the fellow.

Farrey does not hold back any on the twists and turns of the plot. Just when the reader thinks Jaxter is finally going to succeed, BOOM! Another challenge! There does come a point when the independent conflicts come together and all the loose ends are tied up. Kudos to Farrey for writing in such detail.

The common theme of good triumphs over evil is intertwined in several of the conflicts Jaxter faces during his adventure. In the end, Jaxter learns that his differences are not deficiencies. In fact, they are strengths that make him unique in his family.

While the original languages and unusual creatures may confuse readers, The Vengekeep Prophecies has proven to be a story one must finish. Readers will desire to see Jaxter to the end of his quest!

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Lone Star Reading List, 2014

 Kirkus Best Children’s Books, 2012

Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, 2012

CONNECTIONS

Tapestry

Design a tapestry (digital or physical) depicting an important year of your life. Use the images to explain the significance.

Animal Adaptations

Create a flipbook with a variety of animals’ front, middle, and rear areas. Flip the book to create an unusual creature. Write a brief blog post about your animal and any supernatural powers it may have.

School Spirits

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hawkins, R. (2013). School spirits. New York: Hyperion.

SUMMARY

Izzy Brannick has never done the school/friends/boys thing. She’s just helped her mom fight off supernatural beings. In School Spirits, Izzy must fend off an angry ghost while trying to assume the role of a “normal” teenager.

PLOT ANALYSIS

Author Rachel Hawkins creates relatable characters in Izzy Brannick, her mom, and new school friends. Izzy faces typical teenager challenges. Hawkins nicely weaves in the supernatural elements without creating a terribly horrifying experience.

Setting the story in a small town and a contemporary high school gives the reader a feel of normalcy. Descriptions of the school aid the reader in visualizing the challenge Izzy faces as she is ghost-hunting.

Hawkins uses several twists to keep the plot moving, especially toward the end when life or death decisions must be made. The characters’ quick and creative thinking allows the conflict to resolve logically.

Hawkins writes in first person, from Izzy’s point of view. This allows the reader to get into the head of Izzy as she experiences many teenage firsts—school days, friendships, crushes.

Hawkins hits on themes of strong relationships and good trumps evil as Izzy and her friends work together to destroy the vindictive ghost of Mary Evans. Izzy grows through this first solo hunt, what was supposed to be an “easy” job. She learns what motivates her to keep fighting while holding on to these newly formed friendships.

While not horribly frightening, School Spirits engages readers with relatable characters mixed with the excitement of a ghost story.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Lone Star Reading List, 2014

Publishers Weekly Starred Review, 2013

CONNECTIONS

Related Books

Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins

Wait til Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

New Kid Survival Guide

Students will create a survival guide complete with supplies for a new student in school.

School Hauntings

Students will research school hauntings throughout history and present their findings using their Web 2.0 tool of choice.