BOB is here!

Battle of the Books has begun! Third through eighth grade will spend the next six weeks reading and strategizing before going head to head with the other classes in fast paced battles that test comprehension. Today the official list of 26 books will be released. Classes will work together to not only read these books, but master them. Because each student can only answer three questions per battle, it must be a team effort. Which class will come out on top? It's anyone's game at this point. Be sure to ask your student what BOB book they are reading. You are more than welcome to read it with them or even to them! 

How are books chosen?

The Battle of the Book list is chosen by a team of teachers and administrators. They review the National Librarian’s Association recommendations, Newberry Medal winners, Caldecott Medal winners, and other notable award winners. From these lists they find books that range from the lowest reading level participating to 3 years above the highest grade participating. From there they ensure that we have fiction and nonfiction, historical fiction, classics, sports fiction, animal fiction, adventure, and a biography. The last consideration is a balance between female and male characters. The idea is to have at least one book in the list that appeals to every child participating.

 

What if I think a book is over my child’s head or is inappropriate for them?

The beauty of Battle of the Books is that it is a team effort. No one child is expected to read every book. In fact, it’s best if they don’t read every book. Choose 2 or 3 from the list that you are OK with and read those.

 

Can my child listen to the book/watch the movie/have it read to them etc?

YES! The idea is for children to be exposed to literature and to understand the story. They can have it read to them by an adult or older sibling, listen to it on tape, or read it themselves. They can watch the movie, but be careful; often the movie is not the same as the book.

The official list is: 

AUTHOR                                                                                    TITLE                     

1. Burnford, Shelia                                                               The Incredible Journey
2. Cleary, Beverly                                                                      Henry and Ribsy
3. Cleary, Beverly                                                                      Ralph S. Mouse  
4. Conrad, Joseph                                                                              Lord Jim
5. Curtis, Christopher                                           The Watsons Go to Birmingham
6. Farley, Walter                                                                          Black Stallion
7. Freedman, Russell                                                     Lincoln: A Photobiography
8. George, Jean Craighead                                                        The Talking Earth
9. Giff, Patricia Reilly                                                            Lily’s Crossing
10. Houston, Gloria                                                                Bright Freedom’s Song
11. Kimmel, Elizabeth                                                          Balto and the Great Race
12. Kipling, Rudyard                                                                  Jungle Book
13. Lauber, Patrica                  Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mt. St. Helens
14. Lawson, Rob                                                                      Ben and Me
15. Lupica, Mike                                                                       The Batboy
16. Paulsen, Gary                                                                    Voyage of the Frog
17. St. George, Judith                                  Dear Mr. Bell; Your Friend Helen Keller
18. Sepetys, Ruta                                                             Between the Shades of Gray
19. Shakespeare, William                                                     Taming of the Shrew
20. Sperry, Armstrong                                                                Call It Courage
21. Stevenson, Robert Louis                                                          Kidnapped
22. Taylor, Mildred                                                         Let the Circle Be Unbroken
23. Thurber, James                                                                     The Wonderful O
24. Williams, Margery                                                            The Velveteen Rabbit
25. Well, H.G.                                                                            The Time Machine
26. Yomtov, Neil                                                                 Revolutionary War Spies