40 Book Challenge
What is the 40 Book Challenge?
Extensive research demonstrates that people who are avid readers are better students. In order to help your child be more successful in school, and to create avid, life-long readers, we will be completing the 40 Book Challenge this year and will be using this as the students’ Reading Homework. Let that sink in for a moment…no timed reading trackers! No parent signatures!
The challenge is for each student to read 40 books from different genres by the last week of school. The students may borrow novels from the classroom library, as well as the school library. They may use books from home, the public library, or anywhere they can get their hands on a good read!
Not all books are created equal. If a book is less than 100 pages or substantially below the student’s reading level, it will not count.
The goal is for students to be reading books on their reading level. If your student is not at a level to be reading 100-page chapter books, do not panic. The goal is for all students to be practicing reading. 10 books on their level will count for 1 chapter book.
If your student needs ideas of books to read for each genre, we will be generating a class list of recommend books. Encourage them to look at the list, talk to other students, or come ask me!
Frequently Asked Questions
My child is reading long chapter books more than 100 pages. Will they count?
- Of course! Each 100 pages counts as a chapter book. If a student reads a 700 page novel, it would count as 7 books.
My child will only read Fantasy/Science Fiction/Graphic Novels. Do they HAVE to read the different genres?
- Our goal is for students to be exposed to the various genres. Often students get stuck in one genre and only read those books. From past 40 book challenges, students have enjoyed trying genres they didn’t read often because they realize they enjoyed them as much or more!
Isn’t 40 books a lot for students to get through this year?
- There are about 37 weeks in the school year. For students to complete the challenge, they will need to read about 1 book or 100 pages per week. If they are reading nightly and in class, they should be able to finish the 40 book challenge without any problems. The students who have encountered trouble in the past are students who have chosen not to read and then frantically tried to catch up at the end of the year (trust me, save yourself the headache; read every night for about 20 minutes!).
My student can’t find a 100 page non-fiction/informational book! Help!
- There are genres where students do NOT need to find a book with 100 pages. Instead, they should find a book that is interesting to them and at an appropriate level.