Battle Of The Books, The Sequel
The purpose of the Battle of the Books is a reading incentive program
designed to encourage students to read quality literature. The goals of the
program are to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading,
broaden reading interests, increase reading comprehension, and promote
academic excellence.
How did it begin?
In the 1930’s Battle of the Books was a Chicago radio program. Today it is a reading incentive
program in elementary, middle and high schools across the country. All of the questions in the
competition begin with the words “In which book” and the correct answer is always the title and
author of the book. Our library media specialist, Mrs. Tami Fontaine spends many hours
choosing books and writing questions for each year’s battles.
How are the books selected?
All of the books selected are available in paperback and are carefully selected so that classics,
award winners and new favorites are all considered. Books are selected over a range of reading
levels so that all students can participate. For example: in the grades 3 and 4 list there is at least
one book on the second grade level to appeal to reluctant readers and one on the fifth grade level
to challenge those students reading above grade level. Care is taken to ensure that the collection
is balanced with respect to the genres represented. We also look for books in series or authors
with a large body of work to encourage students to read after the competition.
How Battle of the Books in Conducted.
The competition begins with the introduction of the books to students and families in September.
In order to generate interest both in the books and in the competition, we are adding a few
components to energize this valuable program. We will be providing a schedule so students will
know when the competition is to take place and what activities are planned throughout the year.
Once the books and the competition have been introduced to the students they are invited to
form teams of three readers. An exciting part of the program is that students get to choose their
teammates. Each team has a captain who is responsible for seeing that each member of the team
reads his or her assigned books. While it is desirable for each team member to have read all 15
books, it is not necessary for them to do so. Excellent teams have been formed by students who
have each taken the responsibility to be an expert on five books.
As the students read the books they can also write questions in the format of the competition.
(Each question should begin “In which book…” and the answer should be the title and author.)
These student generated questions may be used for some elimination rounds and in some cases,
the Battle of the Books competition day.
When all but two teams have been eliminated, we are ready to hold the Battle of the Books
championship during Book Week, April 4-8. The championship will be held on Tuesday, April 5,
8:15am in the auditorium.
Leading up to The Battle of the Books Championship
Each “Battle Team” consists of three students, battling it out over the months leading up to the
"Grand Battle." Throughout the competition, team members read the books, discuss them, quiz
each other on the contents, and then compete to correctly answer questions based on the books in
a "quiz show" format. They must provide the correct answer and book author to score points.
Teams with the highest cumulative score after 21 questions (3 rounds of 7 questions each) during
the Preliminary Battles will earn the right to participate in one of two Semi-Final Battles later
in the day.
The teams with the highest scores following Semi-Final Battles participate in the “Grand Battle”
the following week to determine the final winner!
Team Building Activities and Program Incentives
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Team building activities and incentives can take place from the start in a variety of ways:
Classroom teachers will kick off Battle of the Books in their rooms by choosing a book from
the list and read it to their classes, September - March, so that students in the audience
will be able to participate in answering questions on a small whiteboard or 3x5 cards, or
other tool.
Teacher will encourage other students in class to read the same books, so they know the
answers as well. Teacher could use book trailers – YouTube to generate interest.
Teams (or just the two final teams) could make tye-dyed t-shirts or make posters for their
teams and put them up around school a few weeks prior to the competition.
Students could come up with team names for themselves under the direction of Mrs.
Fontaine.
Teachers could give extra credit to students if they participate in Battle of the Books.
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Ideas to energize
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Use a Buzzer (similar to Family Feud) - more like the debate team to add energy.
Create team signage for the day of the event - display balloons to lend more fun to the
competition.
Provide a Kick off meeting / party for those students who are interested.
Have more than (2) teams in the championship.
Round 1, Round 2 might be a speed round (all authors) Round 3 would be something else.
Correlate required summer reading with Battle of the books. Grade Level Book chat with the
teacher when they return.
Bring the book to school to do a writing activity.
Suggestion to assess students when they return after summer break or use books on the list for
Book Reports.
Media Center specialists to use fun preparation activities such as reading logs, or games
like Jeopardy or Concentration.
Other Ideas You May Want to Use
 Merge Battle of the Books with Book-It Program.
 Use SSR - Sustained, Silent Reading using the Battle of the Books list
Ideas discussed, not adopted, potential for use next year
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Create Cross grade level teams.
Beat the teacher team.
Choose 6th Grade Captains to recruit a team for Battle of the Books.
Currently the incentive is Lunch/Gift Card
Compete with other schools, i.e., Northville Christian
Animoto Video - pics/songs, etc. Team captains on this video recruiting, etc. Show it in a
chapel on the day of the Reading Rewards Chapel.
Carolyn Kedney to produce the video including questions to answers to some of the books.
Book tickets for weekly and monthly drawings to incentivize students to join and read.
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Students create questions – audio books, physical clues, movie clips, etc
One of the teams to debate on the theme of the books – maybe partner with another school
Quotes from the book
Suggestion to tie in Book It, Book Reports, Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books 2016
Strobel
A Case for Grace
Winget
A Million Ways Home
Gephart
Death by Toilet Paper
Clements
Extra Credit
Abbott
Firegirl
Harvey
George Muller
Sanders
Get to Know Apostle Paul
Feldman
Gollywhopper Games
Lewis
Magician's Nephew
Grabenstein Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Flanagan
Ruins of Gorlan
Rue
So Not Okay
London
Tides of War: Blood in the Water
Nye
Turtle of Oman
Watson
Watchmaker's Daughter: Corrie Ten
Boom