2023 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge

The 2023 Extreme Book Nerd challenge launches January 13, 2023 and runs through December 28, 2023.

Click HERE to register!   You must register to be eligible to receive the completion prize.

2023 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge rules, categories, and tracking form

OFFICIAL RULES

50 books in 50 weeks in 50 categories*

Guidelines:

• • Books must be read between January 13, 2023 and December 28, 2023.

  • Only one book per category for a total of 50 books in 50 weeks, to be completely read by December 28th.

  • Must be a Mountain Home Public Library cardholder to be eligible to win the completion prize.

    • Library Card cannot be expired or have over $9.99 in fines.

  • All books read for the challenge need to be recorded with the title, author, and date finished for each book listed with each category.

    • Reading logs are available for print on our website or can be picked up from the front desk at the library.

    • You may use any tracking form you wish as long as it can be printed and includes the title, author, and date completed of each book as well as the category it belongs to.

  • Books for other reading programs and book clubs can be counted toward this challenge as long as they fit into one of the categories (i.e., winter reading programs, book clubs, etc.) and have been completely read by December 28th.

  • Audiobooks may be used for any category unless otherwise noted.

  • Books must be rated at a sixth-grade reading level or higher to be counted toward the challenge.

  • Participants who finish all 50 books from all 50 categories and turn in their printed tracking sheet no later than December 28th will receive an exclusive coffee cup with the 2023 Extreme Book Nerd logo on it AND a Mountain Home Public Library exclusive “black card” library card. (“black cards” are only issued for the first time a challenge is completed)

  • Tracking forms will NOT be accepted after December 28, 2023.

2023 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge rules, categories, and tracking form

2023 Extreme Book Nerd Categories:

1. a book with a flower on the cover.
2. a book that made you sad.
3. a book chosen from a library display.
4. a World War 2 novel.
5. a play.
6. a graphic novel.
7. a poetry book or book in verse.
8. a book about environmental issues.
9. a memoir written by a female.
10. a book with a character(s) with a neurodivergence or disability.
11. a book with an animal as the main character/narrator/protagonist.
12. a book 20 years old or older by a Black, Indigenous, or person of color author.
13. a science fiction book.
14. a book published in 2023.
15. a book recommended by a friend.
16. a book by an author who is continuing another author’s series.
17. a book about someone you aspired to be like when you were a child.
18. a book originally written in a language other than English.
19. a book based on a true story.
20. a rags to riches story.
21. the last book in a series.
22. a book by an author you have never heard of.
23. two (2) different books with the same title (Book #1).
24. two (2) different books with the same title (Book #2).
25. a book promoted or reviewed by another author.

26. a book that made you laugh out loud.
27. a book by an author you found on Literature Map.
28. a mystery.
29. a collection of short stories.
30. a banned book.
31. a book with a food or drink theme.
32. a book set in the BC time period.
33. a book made into a TV show.
34. a book by a local author.
35. a book published after the author died.
36. a nonfiction audiobook.
37. a book with a yellow cover.
38. a book set in the future.
39. a YA novel.
40. a book with a Senior (over the age of 65) protagonist.
41. Reread a book you read in the last 5 years.
42. a book with “Good” or “Bad” in the title.
43. a book off a bottom shelf at the library.
44. a book recommended by a stranger.
45. a book from a 1973 bestsellers list.
46. a book you found in a Little Library box.
47. a book by an author born the same year as you.
48. a book read by the Mountain Home Library Book Club in 2023.
49. a holiday book.
50. a book with a map in it.

*Categories can be read in any order.

Frequently asked questions:

• Q: How do I tell if a book is rated for 6th grade or not?

A: Accelerated Reader Bookfinder ( https://www.arbookfind.com/ ) is located on our website ( https://mhlibrary.org/ ) under Kid Zone.  The first number of the BL is the grade level.  For example, BL: 8.2 is an eighth grade reading level and 6.7 is a sixth grade reading level.

Scholastic’s book wizard tool ( https://bookwizard.scholastic.com/ ) is a great tool for looking up the reading levels of books. It is very easy to use.

Minnesota State University Library Guide

( https://libguides.mnstate.edu/c.php?g=183311&p=1208264 ) is another tool that has been recommended.

Unless the book is a children’s book/book chosen from the children’s section, you may assume that you are safe. ; )

• Q: Can local authors be Idaho authors or do they need to be from Mountain Home/Treasure Valley?

A: Any Idaho author will work but if the author happens to be from Mountain Home then that is even better.

• Q: How do I know what the Library Book Club is reading in 2023?

A: Our website calendar has the Library Book Club’s book selection for each month through December.

• Q: Do we have to complete one book a week or just fifty books throughout the year?

A: Fifty books throughout the fifty weeks. You can read three books one week and not read the next week or one book a week. It is completely up to you, as long as, they are read between January 13th and December 28th.