…that is, time for the Comment Challenge, which is hosted this year by MotherReader and Lee Wind. It’s a great opportunity to visit and re-visit blogs around the kidlitosphere and book blogging world, and show support for the community. I’ve been far too much of a wimp in past years, but I’m giving it a shot this year, and so far, so good–but we’re only two days in. I still have time to fall off the wagon.
Of course, there are some of us (ahem) who are already awesome blog-commenting maniacs, but if you’re like me, sometimes you need a little encouragement from time to time…and this is that time. If you haven’t already, go sign up and check out the amazing list of participants.
There are a couple of other things I’d been meaning to post. Firstly, I got a really touching e-mail from Hardy Girls Healthy Women listing girls’ top wishes for 2010. #1 on the list, from Devan, reads: “My wish for 2010 is for everyone to realize the importance of girls in their communities, that their ideas can change the world for the better.” Check out other resolutions for cultural change from their Girls’ Advisory Board on the HGHW blog.
Also, a bit belatedly perhaps, we are SO STOKED to hear that the new Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is Katherine Paterson–yet another much-loved and much-admired luminary who is excellent for the job. By the way–embarrassing admission here–I’m probably one of the only people in the universe, or at least of my reading generation, who has not read Bridge to Terabithia (I know, I know! Just don’t judge me too harshly). But I’ve certainly read other books by Paterson and I look forward to seeing her put her own spin on the job so unforgettably trail-blazed by Jon Scieszka.
The Cybils judging period is well underway, and since I’m a Graphic Novels judge, I’ll be avoiding reviewing any GN finalists under consideration, but expect a mother of a review post (or three) once the winners are announced! Just over a month to go…
I check your blog daily and just wanted to thank you for two specfic items I found here today. One is the comment challenge, which I have quickly joined, and the other is sending me back to the Cybils to get the name of a graphic novel. I have yet to venture into the realm of graphic novels and need to do so for another challenge. Choosing one from the Cybils will make my choice easy. Thanks you.
a.fortis, I'm doing the comment challenge, and that is going better than I had thought. One thing that is not revving up is my posting. I'm flat out of fresh ideas (it seems) and there's not much point in writing posts about lack of creativity… unless somehow I can make it creative and funny.
I'm pretty pleased about Katherine Patterson being the new Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Years ago, when I was in grad school, I got to have dinner with her at a friend's house, and I was pretty much tongue-tied the whole time. She was witty, however. 🙂
Oh, Ssrah, sometime after the Cybils judging is over, you must read Bridge to Terabithia.
Good luck with the judging. I'm currently immersed in MG SFF.
The Comment Challenge sounds so interesting! I guess it's a bit late for me to start – I'm catching up on all the blog reading I wasn't able to do the past few weeks! But I'll keep my eye out for the next one.
I haven't read Bridge to Terabithia yet, either, although it's in my tbr pile. I know I'll love it when I do.
Have fun with the judging! I've fallen in love with graphic novels recently.
Oh, boy. I haven't even gotten to read Pam's post about the comment challenge yet. I've been digging myself out of a mail-email-blog pileup day by day, a bit at a time. I have noticed more comments on my blog the last few days; this may just explain it!
I just read Bridge to Terabithia a couple years ago for the first time, and, dude, it was really upsetting. Just saying you might want to put it off until you want to indulge a blue mood.
How's the comment challenge going for you? I'm finding it far too easy to read all the book blogs I'm discovering… and far too difficult to remember to comment!
Ah well. Good luck to you! 🙂
Jan: Glad to help!
Z.N.: It's definitely a challenge! For me it's hard to get motivated in the first place because I'm daunted by all the possibilities–do I go back and read the blogs of friends I should be reading regularly? Do I go around and discover potential new blogs?