Have questions about The Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM? Check out the frequently asked questions below. I’ll be updating this page regularly to help address your questions quickly and easily.
Q: Do you personally recommend every book in The Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM?
A: Inclusion in the program does not in any way constitute a personal recommendation from me. While I write clean, positive, energizing fiction for teens, I respect that authors write a wide range of books for the teen and tween audiences. I also respect that each library has the right to choose which books it will carry in its collection. The books included here support a variety of reading options, a list as diverse as the genre itself, to give readers with varied interests the chance to participate in the program. In the end, my goal is simply to encourage an early love of literature in whatever form is meaningful to each individual reader. If we can accomplish that, for even one reader, I consider it a huge win!
Q: What age range of readers are eligible to participate?
A: The Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM is designed for kids 8-19 years old. Readers older than 19 years old are ineligible. However, readers younger than 8 years old may participate at the library’s discretion. For instance, if a 7 year old is an advanced reader and wants to tackle some of the more age-appropriate middle grades novels, they would be eligible to participate if the librarian felt the reader was ready. I’m happy to include younger readers as long as the decision is made by librarians who can guide the readers toward participating titles they feel would be appropriate.
Q: Does every librarian in my library have to register separately?
A: Not at all. To register your library, one librarian will submit the Library Registration form. Although that librarian will be the primary librarian on file, all librarians at your branch are welcome to submit contest entry forms on behalf of your hunters.
Q: What happens if a reader scores less than 8 out of 10?
A: Ideally, you’ll want to check the ones that are correct and circle the ones they missed without giving them the answer or the location of the answer. If they would like to give the ones they missed another try, they can resubmit the hunt to you again. The goal is to make this a great reading incentive, so giving them a second chance is the best way to encourage them to keep going.
Q: What should I do with completed trivia challenges?
A: When you receive a winning trivia challenge (one that scores at least 8 out of 10 correct), keep the worksheet and recycle it in a private location.
Q: Do I need to send you something proving a hunter successfully completed a trivia challenge?
A: Goodness, no. I trust you! Contest entries are done on the honor system. You’ll find a check box on the contest entry form where you will verify that the hunter successfully completed that hunt. That’s all that is required.
Q: What books will my library receive if one of our hunters is a monthly winner?
A: When you are the winning library, I will send the librarian who submitted the contest entry a list of Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM books to choose from. The prize list of books changes from month to month, but there is always a wide variety of hunt books to choose from. You’ll select the books you would like for your collection and send the list back to me. Just think of me as your very own book fairy!
