In 2012 we founded Adi’s Reading Challenge in honor of our former student, Aditya Srinivasan, as a way to encourage boys to read highly acclaimed, newly published books.
Adi’s Reading Challenge
WHAT IS ADI'S READING CHALLENGE?
We try to predict which books will win ALA Youth Media Awards, such as the Coretta Scott King Award, the Pura Belpré Award, the Sibert Award, and most especially, the Newbery Medal. The challenge takes place every year from early October to late January.
WHO CAN TAKE PART in the challenge?
Boys in 4th grade and up are invited to take part. Participation is voluntary, but most boys read at least a few of the titles in our challenge.
Note to parents: please encourage your son(s) to take part! You are most welcome to read the books with your sons.
Countdown to ADI'S reading CHALLENGE
HOW IT WORKS
Read the books on our shortlist. There are usually about thirty to choose from. A few are either just for 4th and 5th graders or for 6th grade and up but the majority are for everyone. Scroll down to see which books are in the challenge. Many books are available on Sora, both as ebooks and audiobooks. You can have somebody read the book aloud to you or listen to it as an audiobook - that still counts!
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Fill out a form with your thoughts about the book. You will need to log into Google using your Allen-Stevenson email address.
Poetry Response Form (4th and 5th Grade Only)
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Once you have filled out the form and chatted about the book with Mrs. Kresberg, Ms. Alegre or Mrs. Garfinkel, and it is evident that you know the book well, you will receive credit for having read the book. You may claim your prize (yes, there are prizes) and your name will be posted on the wall.
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Adi's Challenge Reading Targets
4th and 5th Grade - 7 books
6th Grade - 6 books
7th Grade - 5 books
8th Grade - 4 books
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If you read the target number of books for your grade level you will be invited to be part of our Award Selection Committee. You will get to go to a voting party in January, a week before the ALA awards are announced, and eat tons of pizza and Oreos (and vote for the books you think should win awards)! This year the deadline for submitting online responses about books and having your one to one discussions is Friday, January 12th.
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Why Take Part?
First of all, these books will be among the most interesting you have ever read. The library team works hard to find books that are truly special. For every book that makes it into the challenge, there are roughly two books that we read and rejected.
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During the challenge, figuring out the next book you are going to read is easy!
You will most likely read books in genres or on topics that you have never considered before. This broadens you as a reader and as a person.
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You can easily read the same books as your friends so that’s another thing you now have in common.
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Yes, it must be said, there are prizes involved.
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You get your name on the wall in the library!
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