Northville District Library's

Battle of the Books

2008 Middle School Challenge
Sponsored by the Friends of the Northville District Library

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City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Drums, Girls, & Dangerous pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Freak the Mighty by W. Rodman Philbrick
Heat by Mike Lupica
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm
Wild Man Island by Will Hobbs

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Copies available for registered team members at the following locations: Northville District Library, Meads Mill Middle School Media Center, & Hillside Middle School Media Center

Click here for Printable Registration Form

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are my responsibilities as a team manager?
        Ensure team registration form is filled out completely and turned in by February 5, 2008
        Notify library of any changes in team members or team name by March 19, 2008
        Notify library if team decides not to participate in Battle of the Books

2. Do team members have to read all 8 books?
        The goal is for each team to read all 8 books between them; but not everyone must read all 8 by themselves. Teams will perform better if at least one member of every team has read at least one book each. Teams may do better if more than one team member reads each book.

3. Can my team compete even if they have not read all 8 books?
        Yes. Teams can compete even if they have only read some of the books.

4. How many times should my team meet?
        Teams can meet as frequently as they are able and want to meet; however, we recommend teams meet at least 3 times prior to the competition.

5. What kinds of questions will be asked at the Battle?
        Each question will include two parts: a question from the book ( 4 points) and the author’s name (1 point) (Author’s name MUST be spelled correctly to get the point).
        All questions will be very specific and the answer will have been mentioned at least twice in each book. Any introduction, dedication, chapter heading, foreword, preface, afterword and author note will all be fair game and could possibly be included in the questions for that book.

6. Where can my team meet?
        The Northville District Library will make the Youth Meeting Room available for Battle of the Books teams to meet on Saturdays (and some Sundays) in February, March and April. Sign up sheets will be available at the manager meetings and will be first come, first serve. However, teams will be limited to the number of times they can reserve the room. All inquiries should be directed to Suzanne Schimanski-Gross or Karen Fehl by calling the library at 248-349-3020.
        Also: the library’s main meeting room(s) can be reserved up to four times per team if they are available. You can reserve these rooms by calling the library, stopping at the Information Desk on the upper level, or online registration. Please be sure to include the name of your team on the form.
        There are two group study rooms on the lower level of the library that are available on a first come, first serve basis. These rooms are available anytime the library is open and seat 6 people.

7. Does the manager have any responsibilities the night of the Battle competition?
        Managers must be present, or have a designated adult present, but will not have any duties that night other than to watch and enjoy!

8. What about costumes?
        Teams are not required to wear costumes, but are encouraged to do so.   One prize will be awarded for the best costume. Judges will consider costumes, team spirit, creativity and connection to team name.   Please ensure that no book titles, or authors' names appear anywhere on the costumes.

Description: "Battle of the Books" is a fun program to encourage reading. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students read from a selected list of eight books. Teams of 2-6 students compete to answer questions based on those books. Teams must read 1 to 8 books among team members, meet with their team, practice answering questions about the books and then participate in the final competition. The Battle begins with the informational Kick-Off meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5 at the Northville District Library. Managers are required to attend.
Student participants may attend as space permits.

Eligibility: All six, seventh, and eighth grade students who live or go to school in Northville are eligible to participate. Students can form teams of 2-6 students with 1 or 2 adult team managers. Team members can be in different grades, attend different schools, or home school.

Registration: Registration forms are available at the Northville District Library's Information Desk and your school's Media Center. Please return completed forms to the Northville District Library or your school's media center on or before Tuesday, February 5. Each team must have a team name on the registration form.

Team Manager Responsibilities: A team manager and/or co-manager can be any adult who is interested in serving as the contact person between the team and the Northville District Library. The team manager will complete and turn in the registration form and attend the Kick-Off meeting on at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5. Managers should also co-ordinate team meetings to prepare for battle, keep team members informed of Battle information, and arrange for team attendance at the event.
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Battle of the books DATE & location: The Battle of the Books will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Northville High School at 45700 Six Mile Road.
Teams should arrive 30 minutes before the battle begins.

Questions: Call the Northville District Library at 248-349-3020 or contact your school's Media Specialist.*

Click here for results and Pictures from Battle of the Books 2007