150 Books for Africa – 150 Comment Challenge

March 26, 2009 by Kurtis

Inspired by Jennifer Hubbard, I’m issuing a challenge to you, the reader, to make me send 150 books to Africa. According to the Books for Africa website, it takes 50 cents to send a book to a child in Africa. I’ll donate 50 cents for every comment on this post by a unique commenter, up to 150 books/comments.

All you have to do is leave a comment naming a book you think every kid in the world should read, including kids in Africa (you can name the same book somebody else already named; don’t worry about that.)

This post will be open for comments for two weeks, or until the goal of 150 comments is reached.

Posted in Contests | 87 Comments

87 Responses

on March 26, 2009 at 9:11 am | Reply Angela Scaletta

Everyone should read The Little Prince; the illustrations alone are delicious.
on March 26, 2009 at 9:21 am | Reply Edith

Here via newport2newport who sent me to Jennifer Hubbard.

Great cause. Thanks for doing this.
on March 26, 2009 at 9:26 am | Reply jama

To Kill a Mockingbird
on March 26, 2009 at 10:16 am | Reply Erin Dionne

This is great, Kurtis! thank you for doing this.

I think every kid should read CHARLOTTE’S WEB
on March 26, 2009 at 11:19 am | Reply Max "Bunny" Sparber

The Pushcart War.

Great project, by the way.
on March 26, 2009 at 11:19 am | Reply Penny

One or all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books.
on March 26, 2009 at 11:26 am | Reply Allie

Oh, there are so many… I’m going to name Where the Wild Things Are, because the trailer looks so brilliant, and that was a book that truly opened my imagination.
on March 26, 2009 at 11:33 am | Reply Tabitha

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Fabulous book!

If you can, stop by my blog to leave a comment for my local library!
on March 26, 2009 at 11:43 am | Reply Kelly Fineman

I’m sending money to Books for Africa as well – sweet!

Books all kids should read, huh? Um, GOOD NIGHT MOON?
on March 26, 2009 at 11:46 am | Reply beth

I think every person in the world should read Dr. Seuss. (If they’re too young, they should have the stories read to them.)
on March 26, 2009 at 11:56 am | Reply Angela De Groot

Hip, hip, hooray! It’s love your library day!
Ngiyabonga!
on March 26, 2009 at 2:18 pm | Reply Cassie

Every child should read Frog and Toad, or have it read to them. I loved those books…
on March 26, 2009 at 2:42 pm | Reply Josh Berk

I’m going to say THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE. It’s fun & great for a lot of reasons & every kid needs to be reminded that a world of magic exists just around the corner …
on March 26, 2009 at 2:51 pm | Reply cynthea

Hey, ANY book is good enough for me. But that’s just my “fifty” cents. (or is it YOUR? fifty-cents?)

Great cause, Kurtis!
on March 26, 2009 at 3:19 pm | Reply Bonny Becker

Kurtis,
What a great project to donate to.

Just one book? Well, one among so, so many would be:
Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag
on March 26, 2009 at 4:08 pm | Reply Jenny

Let’s see…only one? How about that brave Mrs. Frisby?
on March 26, 2009 at 4:36 pm | Reply Jennifer Hubbard

Book rec, hm? Alice in Wonderland, or better yet, Through the Looking-Glass.
on March 26, 2009 at 5:03 pm | Reply Amanda Coppedge

This teen librarian thanks you.
on March 26, 2009 at 5:39 pm | Reply Neesha

I’m going to go with Sitti’s Secrets. It’s a relatively recent title that one of my girls picked up and whenever we read it we’re reminded of how everyone loves the same, no matter where in the world they live. And the illustrations are just lovely.
on March 26, 2009 at 5:45 pm | Reply Kassie

I loved the book Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

It is great what you are doing.
on March 26, 2009 at 6:52 pm | Reply Loree Griffin Burns

My choice for a worldwide read would be JOYFUL NOISE, by Paul Fleischman. How cool to have the entire world reading poetry about the natural world out loud together?

Thanks for loving libraries!

Loree Burns
http://www.loreeburns.com
on March 26, 2009 at 6:52 pm | Reply Doret

Phantom Tollbooth, everyone should go on such a grand adventure. Though if Mudville made its way to Africa, I know it would make more than a few kids cheer.
on March 26, 2009 at 9:11 pm | Reply Laura

Every could should read In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak. This is a wonderful idea!
on March 26, 2009 at 9:21 pm | Reply Jennifer

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Because every kid should get to visit a magical world!
on March 27, 2009 at 1:22 am | Reply Packerchu

The older kids might like The Cronus Chronicles.
on March 27, 2009 at 4:41 am | Reply Andromeda Jazmon

Every kid in the world should get to read a Bible story book in their own language. And the sacred books of their own religion, and those of the faiths of their family members, friends, community members, neighbors, strangers… Thanks for sending the books!
on March 27, 2009 at 9:37 am | Reply Kate Fall

Hmm … every kid from every culture and every country? Tough call! How about Pete Seeger’s ABIYOYO.
on March 27, 2009 at 11:03 am | Reply Tracy

Thank you for doing this, Kurtis. I loved my old library when I was growing up and can’t imagine my childhood without it.
on March 27, 2009 at 1:16 pm | Reply colleen Kosinski

Every kid should read The Giving Tree.

coll
on March 27, 2009 at 1:16 pm | Reply Kaethe

I love this idea! I’ve made the lirbary an integral part of my children’s childhoods, too.
on March 27, 2009 at 1:28 pm | Reply C Lee McKenzie

The Secret Garden gets my vote, Kurtis. Great idea and wonderful way to execute it.
on March 27, 2009 at 3:39 pm | Reply Ann Haywood Leal

Great idea and great cause, Kurtis! I think everyone should read MUDVILLE. I absolutely loved it.
Ann Haywood Leal
on March 27, 2009 at 5:30 pm | Reply Aunt Be

Where the Red Fern Grows, of course.
on March 27, 2009 at 5:31 pm | Reply Uncle Chris

Harry Potter books
on March 27, 2009 at 5:47 pm | Reply Krista Kennedy

Oh, Charlotte’s Web. Definitely.
on March 27, 2009 at 6:35 pm | Reply Rosanne

Great idea Kurtis.

Hey, I saw Mudville face out on the endcap at Powells in Portland! Congratulations!
on March 27, 2009 at 7:04 pm | Reply Timothy Mason

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn!
on March 27, 2009 at 7:07 pm | Reply LyndseyDavis

We visited the library every week as a child and I proudly presented my dogeared card to take out the maximum number allowed. Now, libraries provide lifeblood to my work and serenity in the chaos of frenetic lifestyles. Libraries on line make it easier to reach vast quantities of sources across the world.
Africa should have that advantage too.
on March 27, 2009 at 7:15 pm | Reply elmwood

Peepo by Allan and Janet Ahlberg – the best interactive baby book for the littles
on March 27, 2009 at 7:28 pm | Reply Elizabeth R

This is great! Yay, books!
on March 27, 2009 at 7:33 pm | Reply Laura

There’s nothing like the endless possibilites of a library ~ Thank you so much for opening this up benefit readers in Africa.
on March 27, 2009 at 8:17 pm | Reply Jenny Cosgrove

I would suggest A Kick in the Head (poems selected by Paul Janeczko with amazing illustrations by Chris Raschka). This is a poetry book that uses poetry to demonstrate and teach poetic forms to children – but it’s great for adults as well. I’ve personally made sure that it was placed in three libraries – it is a delight.
Thanks Kurtis for this wonderful project!
on March 27, 2009 at 8:44 pm | Reply Donna Gephart

Just one? But the book that’s most important to each kid will be different.

Okay, I’ll say . . . Mudville (’cause I’m loving it right now) and . . . Bridge to Terabithia . . . and . . . Out of the Dust . . . and . . ., oh, all right.

Thanks for doing this, Kurtis. Bloggin’ for books? What a grand idea!

Donna (Now, pony up the fifty cents, Mister.)
on March 27, 2009 at 9:06 pm | Reply Lisa Walthall

So many choices, but two of my favorite read-alouds would be “Goodnight Moon” and “Runaway Bunny.” And add one more. . . “Go Dog Go!”
on March 27, 2009 at 9:13 pm | Reply Jenny Schwartzberg

A book that every child in the world should read? A lovely wordless picture book is L’Album d’Adele by Claude Ponti. Just to stretch the recommendations out beyond the standards but it’s great fun.

Thank you Kurtis!
on March 27, 2009 at 10:00 pm | Reply The First Carol

Celebrating cross-cultural books! Cheers,
on March 27, 2009 at 11:52 pm | Reply Susan Taylor Brown

Thanks for being a part of this wonderful library lovin’ challenge. I’m in on it too.

Books saved me until I was strong enough to save myself.

What book should every child read?

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
on March 28, 2009 at 3:49 am | Reply Debbie Diesen

What a great challenge! Thank you so much for doing this.

Debbie Diesen
http://www.deborahdiesen.com
on March 28, 2009 at 8:05 am | Reply Lauren Bjorkman

This is wonderful, Kurtis. I vote for James and the Giant Peach!
on March 28, 2009 at 8:29 am | Reply Kristi(e)

A Series of Unfortunate Events are quite humorous and educational at the same time.
on March 28, 2009 at 10:17 am | Reply Bev

Hi Kurtis!!! (waves)

To Kill a Mockingbird

tho it’s for the high school set.

For the younger set:
We’re going on a Bear Hunt

Thanks for your generosity and all the best on your debut novel! Saw it at Barnes and Noble, face out:)
Bev
on March 28, 2009 at 10:49 am | Reply kwerg

Go libraries-thanks for your effort
on March 28, 2009 at 10:54 am | Reply Ali

Every kid should read Children Just Like Me. Thanks for doing this!
on March 28, 2009 at 1:14 pm | Reply Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Great cause, Kurtis! How about Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
on March 28, 2009 at 2:13 pm | Reply Linda Covella

So many books. I’ll say Alice in Wonderland.
Thanks for doing this!
on March 28, 2009 at 3:22 pm | Reply Liz

Wonderful cause!

You’re a third of the way there already!
on March 28, 2009 at 3:26 pm | Reply Carolyn Foote

You’ve picked a wonderful choice.

I’d say Harold and the Purple Crayon or Goodnight Moon.

Good luck! I started a challenge of my own today, these were so inspiring!
on March 28, 2009 at 4:04 pm | Reply eclecticmum

Hoorah for libraries and for books and for readers and for you for donating!

My vote is for anything Dr. Seuss.
on March 28, 2009 at 4:12 pm | Reply Ruth

We just completed our district-wide book drive, and we are sending 1,538 books to Botswana! Visit the African Library site for more info.
As far as a favorite book, I’d have to say Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, since no one has mentioned it yet. Thanks, Kurtis!
on March 28, 2009 at 4:17 pm | Reply Kathy Ishizuka

Harold and the Purple Crayon, it’s all about the possibilities.
Cheers!
on March 28, 2009 at 4:56 pm | Reply Sandylee

Guess How Much I Love You, Sam McBratney

If only every child could feel that loved.

Glad to be a small part of this.
on March 28, 2009 at 5:23 pm | Reply Martha Flynn

Oh man, I can’t pick just one – it stresses me out to even think of it! What a great idea, though! Here’s to 150 comments!
on March 28, 2009 at 5:30 pm | Reply Patricia

Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Williams and Khadra Mohammed.

Thank you, thank you for what you are doing!
on March 28, 2009 at 6:05 pm | Reply Little Willow

Everyone should read ALICE’s ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. It’s a story with which many claim to be familiar, but not everyone has really, truly read it – and they should.
on March 28, 2009 at 7:45 pm | Reply Pamela Boboc

Hi Curtis,

I think every little kid should be able to read, “The Little Engine that Could” and every middle schooler, “The Miracle Worker”.

Thanks for doing this project! It will help.
on March 28, 2009 at 7:56 pm | Reply Courtney

Thank you for doing this!
on March 28, 2009 at 7:56 pm | Reply Desiree Lesicko

It’s too hard to pick just one book and consider the various age levels. A book that is entertaining, educational and not culturally exclusive would be great.
on March 28, 2009 at 8:47 pm | Reply Sally Murphy

Great project!
My choicee would be Guess How Much I love You -although there’s a thousand other books I could choose.
on March 28, 2009 at 9:56 pm | Reply Amy

The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
on March 29, 2009 at 2:14 am | Reply susan

Every child should be able to read a book about kids who look like them. Teens and younger YA readers need books, too. I recommend Out of Bounds by Beverly Naidoo.

Thanks for participating in this challenge.
on March 29, 2009 at 6:25 am | Reply Bish

Wonderful idea and many wonderful books have been suggested.

I’d for for Winni-the-Pooh AND any of the Oz books.
on March 29, 2009 at 6:33 am | Reply Missy S

I love libraries! Great fund raising idea!! Good luck!!
on March 29, 2009 at 9:53 am | Reply Jeannine Garsee

LIBRARIES ROCK!

(read Harriet the Spy!)
on March 29, 2009 at 2:52 pm | Reply Vicariousrising

What an excellent cause.

My choice is Alice in Wonderland. It got me through a lot of dark times.
on March 29, 2009 at 8:32 pm | Reply Darcy Pattison

Hurrah for libraries!

Here’s my library story:

http://www.darcypattison.com/darcys-books/tornado-and-author-visit/

Darcy

–
http://www.darcypattison.com
on March 30, 2009 at 9:59 am | Reply A Busy Monday | Scrub-a-Dub-Tub

[...] Kurtis Scaletta for Books for Africa (runs for 2 weeks or until 150 comments) [...]
on March 31, 2009 at 6:08 pm | Reply Jonathan

I would wish any collection of Peanuts on the world.
on March 31, 2009 at 6:23 pm | Reply Saundra

Mudville, of course!
on March 31, 2009 at 8:08 pm | Reply Tuesday Links « Bib-Laura-graphy

[...] leave a comment for Kurtis Scaletta, author of the excellent Mudville. For each comment he’ll be donating a children’s [...]
on April 1, 2009 at 4:38 am | Reply Deva Fagan

Go 150 Book Challenge!

I vote for Watership Down!
on April 1, 2009 at 10:05 am | Reply dmh

A Wrinkle in Time.
on April 1, 2009 at 2:04 pm | Reply Holly Robinson

How about the one I read to your wife (my little sister)when she was young? Free To Be You and Me! Yes, it’s hard to pick just one, I also had Ramona The Pest and Pippi Lockstocking in mind. Funny little girls getting in and out of trouble, and not a vampire or wizard in sight!
on April 2, 2009 at 9:59 am | Reply Tina W.

MUDVILLE! MUDVILLE!
on April 3, 2009 at 10:37 am | Reply Vicki

Every kid should read The Diary of Anne Frank.
on April 5, 2009 at 9:56 pm | Reply Mark Krone

Every child should read Great Expectations. They might fall in love with reading.
on April 6, 2009 at 8:24 pm | Reply Allison W.

I agree with Tina – Mudville!
on April 8, 2009 at 10:02 am | Reply Sheila

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett.

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150 Books for Africa – 150 Comment Challenge

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