2. THE FORTY BOOK CHALLENGE “Failure is not an option, so why talk about it?” - Donalyn Miller, The Book Whisperer

3. “YOU WANT ME TO WHAT?” You will be reading forty books this year. This includes books that you read during Independent Reading during class, Teacher Read-a-loud Books AND books read at home.) You will be reading from a variety of genres in order to explore books you might not ordinarily read and to develop an understanding of literary elements, text features, and text structures.

4. SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT Any book you read that is more than 350 pages long will count as TWO books.

5. THE EXPECTATIONS FICTION Realistic Fiction (6) Fantasy (4) Mystery (3) Historical Fiction (3) Science Fiction (2) Graphic Novels (2) NON-FICTION Autobiography/Biography/Memoir (4) Informational (4) Poetry (2) + 10 personal choice

6. REALISTIC FICTION Characters are every day people doing every day things Setting is a modern-day realistic place Plot consists of realistic events May highlight social issues

7. FANTASY Contains unrealistic or unworldly elements Characters may have magical powers in addition to human qualities Theme is often focused on good versus evil

8. MYSTERY Involves something unknown Centered around person investigating wrongdoing or obtaining secret information

9. HISTORICAL FICTION Takes place in the past (forty years before now is considered historical) Plot (storyline) contains historical events Characters may be historical figures

10. SCIENCE FICTION Fiction that involves or is based on scientific principles Often set in the future

11. GRAPHIC NOVELS A novel in comic-strip format

12. AUTOBIOGRAPHY/ BIOGRAPHY/ MEMOIR Autobiography – Story of someone’s life written by his/herself Biography – Story of someone’s life written by someone else Memoir – a short account of the author’s experiences written by him/herself

13. INFORMATIONAL TEXT Provides information on a topic Organized into sections or categories No characters or settings

14. POETRY ANTHOLOGIES Shortened form of writing Contains figurative language – similes, metaphors, personification Author’s expression of feelings, opinions May follow a form/structure but does not have to

15. PLANNING FOR THE CHALLENGE Now that you have taken notes, we are going to use a Multi-Flow Thinking Map to help us plan for the 40 Book Challenge. On a blank piece of paper, draw the following map.

16. INSTRUCTIONS In the left hand boxes, answer the question: How will I achieve meeting the goals of the 40 book challenge? In the right hand boxes, answer the question(s): What will be the results of my meeting this goal? What benefits are there to completing the challenge? Within the frame of reference (outside black box), write 2 - 4 of your favorite books and/or genres AND how many books you have read before in your life!!!