Saturday 31 March 2012

Luke's Reads: Behind the Scenes


I have recently finished a challenge in which I read 50 books that Michael Grove;s comments prompted three authors and two reporters to choose. The article is here. This challenge has broadened my reading knowledge and nearly put me in an early grave. I found some new favourite books (The London Eye mystery!) and wanted to burn others (How to be topp!). 

The challenge was a very hard project and took a lot of time and hard work from me and my mum Jay who has supported me throughout the challenge and provided most of the books. She was actually the one who suggested that I did the challenge. One day while I was playing video games she got me pause (A feat in itself) and said “I bet you a tenner that you can’t read 50 books in one year!” 
I replied“No problem, prepare to lose your money, Mum” And so the challenge began.   I hope you are ready to experience Luke’s Reads (Behind the scenes).

Pros of the challenge
 I discovered many new books to my liking: things like Ender’s game, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and the London Eye mystery. Because of the challenge I was pushed into new unfamiliar territory and didn’t know what to expect while I was there. It was an interesting experience full of books that it turns out are really good. The most surprising reaction was when I read Swallows and Amazons and found it not that bad. Read the review 

Cons of the challenge
While I did discover some new favourite books the challenge was full of books that I wanted to burn like How to be Topp, the Old Man and the Sea and After the First Death. I HATED these books. The other thing that I hated was when I did not reach my intended target by Christmas. I was incredibly angry and upset when this happened and I felt that getting an extension was like cheating. But in the end I swallowed my pride and took the extension.

My list of 20 books for 11-12 year olds
  • Silver Tounge by Charlie Fletcher
  • Artemis Fowl  by Eoin Colfer
  • Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
  • Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
  • The River of Adventure by Enid Blyton
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • How to be a Pirate by Cressida Cowell
  • Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
  • The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan
  • Time Riders: Day of the Predator  by Alex Scarrow
  • H.I.V.E. by Mark Walden
  • C.H.E.R.U.B. :The Recruit by Robert Muchamore
  • Heroes of Olympus: the Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
  • Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien
  • The Carpet People by Terry Pratchett
  • Only You Can Save Mankind by Terry Pratchett
  • Johnny and the Dead by Terry Pratchett
  • The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
  • Enders Game by Orson Scott Card.
  • The Magic Scales by Sam Wilding

In Conclusion…
While the challenge was full of obstacles and required lots of time, work and attention it was also educational, interesting and really helped my reading ability. I feel very privileged to be able to do this challenge in the year. I would like to thank my mum Jay and:
Mark Tranter for The Owl Service and A Christmas Carol.
Sarah who sent us When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit
Immi Howson  for Mistress Mashem's Repose and People Might Hear You.
I am very grateful to all of these people that helped me and I hope that they say you’re welcome. So to finish off I hope to make those who read my blog laugh by saying I give this challenge 1000/100.   


Jay Writes - 
Thanks also to our friends and well-wishers who left comments on Luke's blog over the year. They have really encouraged him. I think Luke's done a super job with this challenge and I'm proud of him for persevering. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading most of the books along with him (although I was less keen on having to nag him to write the reviews!)

1 comment:

  1. Well done Luke: I've been following along over the year and you really should be proud of completing the challenge. I'm a children's librarian in New York (an ex-pat Brit) and thank you for your list of recommendations as I'm often stuck recommending books for 11-12 year olds, boys in particular.

    Congratulations!

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