What is your reason for blogging, and what are some of your goals?

[Kathy Maxwell]

If you wrote a mission statement for your blog what would it be?  What are your blogging goals?  In other words, why are you blogging and what do you hope to accomplish?!

Please post your link so that all contributors can view your blog and follow it if they choose.

[Kathy Maxwell]

Books Kids Like

 

Mission Statement

Books Kids Like shares the wonderful world of children's literature- old and new- with children and their parents.

 

2011 Goals

1) Post at least 5 book reviews each week.

2) Complete 3 reading challenges: YA Historical Fiction; Books from the 80s and 90s; YA Reading.

3) Read more Newbery books.

4) Network with other children and YA book bloggers.

5) Read books from new (at least to me) authors.

[Victoria @ Birdy Books]

I hope people realize that I blog because I love to read--not because I want free books or money. I tried to make that clear in the 'about me'. Here's a link to my blog:

Birdybooks.blogspot.com

[Kathy Maxwell]

I think everyone who visits your site will clearly understand your love for books!!!  Wonderful site.  I loved reading your "About Me."  I wished I could claim you as my HS English student!!! 

Hey, thanks for responding!  I am now one of your devoted followers!!!

[Victoria @ Birdy Books]

Thanks so much! That made my day :)

[Kathy Maxwell]

Wonderful!..."kindle greater readers."

I read around your blog!  I really liked your parable about the real world's creation of all things virtual!!!

[Kathy Maxwell]

Being very blunt...I despair when I see the children/YA books offered for sale at Wal-Mart, Target, etc.  If that's all that parents and kids know about the vast world of children's literature...how sad!!!  My blog is actually a stepping off place for a website I'm building.  That website will provide parents, kids, teachers, etc. with an extensive search engine to find books that are best suited for a child's reading level and interests.  There's so many great books out there!!!  I just want to help bring them to willing readers!!!!

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I love your blog and I think that is a fantastic idea! Too often (especially in children's lit) parents have a hard time finding good quality books to read for thier kids! I love having your site to help pick books out for my kiddos :)

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Kathy Maxwell]

Thanks!!!  I like your site for the same reason...you have a lot of the same values as I do!!!  Personally, the paranormal romance phenom worries me!!!  I was a Barnes and Noble today, and looked at the shelves and shelves of teen books.  I mean seriously...all teens seem to have to read are books about "real" people that are also vampires, werewolves, etc. or books about sexual relationships!  It's a sad comment on our society.

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I have been guilty of reading a couple of those books myself, but I always state in my reviews my honest opinion that I dont think they should be for teens at all- they truly are for YA which I think all too often gets confused with Teen

[Kelli Wheelwright]

My reason to blog... Great Question!

1. To express my love of books and give myself permission to read more often :) Guilty Pleasure
2. To help other people find great books to read in the genre they enjoy
3. To bond with my daughter - we are spending good quality time reading and talking about what we read
4. Meet new people and learn about GREAT new authors
5. Help Authors and Publishers get feedback and the word out about their hard work
6. It brings me joy :)

Also on a selfish level, if I ever do finish the book that I am writing, I hope to have some contacts and friends in the reading and writing community that will give ME honest feedback :)

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[Kathy Maxwell]

Great reasons!!!  I think it's great that "E" has joined you...what a great experience for a young girl.  I can't help but think that the experience will be reflected in her school work.  (I'm a retired HS English teacher!)

My blog also has the ulterior motive of insuring name recognition for Books Kids Like when the website by that name goes public!  But, I am having a great time blogging!!!

[Kelli Wheelwright]

E is top of her class, her love of learning has always been present and this is another way she can internalize and ponder on what she reads. We used to have a hard time picking out books for her that were appropriate context for her age, but challenging enough for her reading level- now with authors sending her books and netgalleys to read she is completely fulfilled and loving every minute of it! It has helped her feel so special!

 

I just recently sent her teacher a link to our blog! The blog has just been one adventure after another for us!

 

KW