2011 Debut Author Challenge

As the year is closing down, I am excited to be able to pick out my upcoming challenges for next year.  As you probably noticed, I love challenges!  Kristi at The Story Siren is hosting 2011 Debut Author Challenge.  From what I can tell, it's a yearly challenge, and I'm excited to be able to join this year.  I believe it will be lots of fun to find new authors and support debut authors in their new adventures.  Kristi posted a spreadsheet with many books info on the challenge page.  Here's the participating info directly from The Story Siren:

2011 Debut Author Challenge participant information:

• The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
• Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States. 
• You do not have to have an blog written in English to participate. 
• You can join at anytime. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. 

Qualifying books:

• Books must be a Young Adult or Middle Grade novel.
• This must be the authors debut with a release date in 2011. 
• If an author has a previous novel published under adult fiction/nonfiction or children's fiction/nonfiction, they can still qualify for the challenge if they are releasing their YA or MG debut. 

I have already found several that I want to check out.  I've started a Debut Author shelf on Goodreads, and I figured I'd pick out about five to start with to post here.  I don't want it to be too set in stone as who knows what next year holds  But I can't wait to start reading these upcoming novels!

1. The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney (released February 8, 2011)
2. Unearthly  - Cynthia Hand (released January 4, 2011)
3. Timeless - Alexandra Monir (released January 11, 2011)
4. Other Words for Love - Lorraine Zago Rosenthal (released January 11, 2011)
5. The Water Wars - Cameron Stracher (released January 1, 2011)

Goodness, I haven't even gotten through January.  But looks like it's going to be an exciting year both for debut authors and all other authors!  If it sounds like something you would like to do, head over to The Story Siren's 2011 Debut Author Challenge page and check it out!  We can cheer each other on.  I just can't wait!