Blogging a goal...

A friend of mine encouraged me to finally get on the Web 2.0 bandwagon and start my own blog. So here I am...the beginning of a blog life. I have to also admit that I was inspired by the movie last summer Julie and Julia, the book by the same name, and the blog by Julie Powell.

Hmm...but what should one blog about? So many choices and so many interesting things. I had the privilege to meet and hear young adult literature author, Ned Vizzini, speak at an education conference last fall. He gave excellent advice about how to blog based on his own blogging experience and the numerous blogs he follows. I will do my best to expound upon my musings and thoughts using his noteworthy wisdom. Thanks Ned!

I have a goal. I took a young adult literature class last semester and fell in love with the whole genre. My goal is to have an extensive knowledge of young adult literature by the time I begin teaching. Which is roughly two years from now after I finish course work, student teaching, and find a wonderful teaching position. My desire is to cultivate the life of a reader and learner within myself. This will only enhance my ability to be a resource guide for my students in their reading selections/choices. I typically read from a variety of genres, but this blog will focus on my reading choice from young adult literature. In order to meet this goal I must read, read, read!

I also host a young adult literature book group, Books Like Us, once a month. So one week a month will be devoted to the novel I am reading for this book group. No sense in over taxing myself or setting impossible goals right??? OK...I am now going to shamelessly put in a plug for the book group. In case you are interested, we meet once a month in Vestal, NY at Barnes and Noble. Here is the website which includes meeting info and upcoming book selections. Feel free to join us if you live in the area. Plug finished.

For those of you who have stumbled on to this blog or who are my faithful friends, and you are wondering "What is young adult literature?" check out this white paper resource from the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association, a branch of the American Library Association) written by Michael Cart. Also an article in the Los Angeles Times provides further information about YA Lit.

Now to the important stuff:

The goals...

1. Read one young adult literature novel per week

2. Blog about the novel I am reading at least twice a week

3. Compile a resource guide for my future students

The first ten novels...

1. Unwind - Neal Shusterman

2. The Dead and The Gone - Susan Beth Pfeffer

3. Chains - Laurie Halse Anderson

4. Banana Heart Summer - Merlinda Bobis

5. The Killer's Cousin - Nancy Werlin

6. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne

7. After Tupac & D Foster - Jacqueline Woodson

8. A Long Way Gone: Memories of a Boy Solider - Ishamel Beah

9. Th1rteen R3asons Why - Jay Asher

10. Quiver - Stephanie Spinner

I would like to invite followers of this blog to submit comments and recommendations about their favorite YA Lit reads. This will aid me in making future book selections. Since last fall, I have amassed a YA literature book collection of close to 200 novels (maybe more because they are spilling off of my bookshelves onto the floor--time to recount). I have read a little over a 1/4 of them. So many of my future selections will be based on this existing library, but I would love to receive your recommendations. And who doesn't need more books.

So to all of my fellow book lovers, book worms, and bookies...happy reading!