Battle of the Books: Information

Battle of the Books is organized by our local librarians to:

* Select up to 10 books per grade level to make this manageable and realistic 
* Add and/or remove titles each year as needed
* Include non-fiction as well as fiction material 

Here's an overview:

• Librarians serve as the contact person and/or coach, but coaching could be run by a teacher, parent or other adult.
• We recommend "scrimmages" along the way at your school to decide who will best represent your district.
• The teams will be organized by the following grade levels:
  • Third Grade
  • Fourth Grade
  • Fifth Grade
  • Sixth Grade

• Questions will be recall and recognition.
  • Please read the rules for more information
  • The questions for each grade level will be based on a set list of up to 10 books. The books have been carefully chosen by this, and previous, committees. We have chosen a blend of fiction and non-fiction to support the emphasis of building knowledge and reading texts carefully for comprehension and factual learning. 
  • There will be banners awarded to the winning schools for 1st through 3rd place

If there are more than 15 students per grade, it is up to the school to run "elimination" battles, since in-person teams going to SUNY Adirondack can have a maximum of 15 students. Battles compete in classrooms where there is limited space.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

• Select a liaison to serve as the contact for your school

• Determine who will coach

• Form teams

• Begin reading!

• Information Night for all coaches (October)

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

• Continue reading!

• Lunchtime and after-school discussions recommended

• Get approval for transportation to the event in March

• Finalize teams - registration of teams (December)

JANUARY

• Teams are encouraged to practice with self-created questions

• Continue reading!

• Go over rules and explain how the day will be run

• Letters to school administrators will go out from WSWHE SLS

FEBRUARY

• Complete reading of books

• In-school practice battles

• Virtual First Round held

• Confirm transportation if your team advances to SUNY Adirondack

MARCH

• District permission slips should be sent home for signature, if needed.

• Finalists should select team captain (only the captains can speak for the team in competition), alternate captain, and participating team members

• Let the games begin! Semi-Finals and Finals only to be held at SUNY Adirondack

APRIL/MAY

• Committee will meet to review competition and make suggestions for following year

JUNE

• Booklists available