Inspired by reading challenges offered by many public libraries but limited to people in those specific communities and the success of our 2023 Reading Challenge, GSHE is organizing a 2025 Reading Challenge for NH’s homeschool community!
It is just for fun, to help young readers explore new authors, subjects, and genres. Our monthly challenges will be very broad so families may choose whatever book they wish and feel is appropriate for their children.
Participants are not required to complete book reports, give oral presentations, create a formal project, or send in anything to GSHE. Families are free to incorporate our reading challenge into their child’s learning as they see fit. If you choose to keep a record of participation, it can be part of your child’s homeschool portfolio!
Participation
For 2025, GSHE will not collect reading logs, track participation, or issue a year-end prize. Families are free to extend the Reading Challenge in any way they wish; perhaps provide a monthly incentive to encourage your child’s reading such as a new book if they complete all monthly challenges.
For kids that are not reading independently, audio books and books you read together are perfectly fine. Any reading ability is welcome to participate.
Let’s get started!!
For May, read an award-winning book!
There are dozens of different literary awards! There are different awards that are international, specific to different countries, languages, genres, and demographic groups. Pick from any category for this month’s challenge.; you’re not limited to the ones we listed below.
Nobel Prize in Literature – the oldest literature award, given “in the field of literature, produced the most outstanding work in an idealistic direction,” based on the author’s total body of work
America Award – a lifetime achievement award for international writers
The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year – celebrates books with odd titles
Bram Stoker Award – winners are selected by the Horror Writers Association (HWA) for “superior achievement” in dark fantasy and horror writing
Caldecott Medal – honors the “most distinguished American picture book for children”
O. Henry Awards – an American award given to short stories
Nebula Award – recognizes the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the US
Edgar Award – given by the Mystery Writers of America
Newbery Medal – an award given by the Association for Library Service to Children to “the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”
National Outdoor Book Award – honors writings and publishing about the outdoors
Pulitzer Prize – administered by Columbia University, 22 different categories
PEN America – over 20 distinct awards for “most outstanding voices in literature across diverse genres, including fiction, poetry, science writing, essays, sports writing, biography, children’s literature, and drama”
Spur Award – awarded by the Western Writers of America (WWA)for distinguished writing about the American West
The Hugo Award – an award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements, administered by the World Science Fiction Society
