2023 5th Grade Battle of the Books Reading Tournament
5th Grade Battle: Thursday, April 13, 2023 @ 7:00 PM – Sewickley Academy
5th Grade Book List
- Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, 1) by B.B. Alston
- Aru Shah and the End of Time – The Graphic Novel by Roshani Chokshi
- Starfish by Lisa Fipps
- The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun’s Tomb by Candice Fleming
- Ban This Book by Alan Gratz
- Greystone Secrets #1: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
- The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
- Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
- Front Desk by Kelly Yang
WHAT IS THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS?
The Battle of the Books is a program designed to encourage reading and to give recognition to those who like to read. Team members read from a list of books selected by the Children’s Department of the Sewickley Public Library, and compete with other teams by answering questions based on the books. We also have a team poster contest and we encourage teams to dress up in themed costumes for the evening of the Battle. The team poster contest is held the evening of the battle, but posters are due to the library on March 6.
WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?
Fifth grade students MUST have a LIBRARY CARD IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY to be eligible to participate in the Battle of the Books. Participants should organize their own teams and submit a registration form to the library. Teams may be made up from different schools and neighbors. Each team should consist of five members, an adult team manager and a team name. All five team members will participate in the competition. A student may only be on one team.
HOW DOES A TEAM REGISTER?
New this year, Battle Books registration forms will be available on the SPL Children’s Department website. Online registration begins, Wednesday, January 4th. All teams should be registered by January 26. All team managers SHOULD attend the virtual info meeting on Zoom on Thursday, January 26th from 7:30 -8:15pm. Copies of the reading list will be distributed at that time.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR THE “BATTLE”?
Teams participating in the “BATTLE” will meet at 6:45 PM at Sewickley Academy on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Each team will be seated in a circle. After the moderator reads a question, each team will have 30 seconds to confer and decide upon the answer to the question. The team captain will write the answer on the paper provided. Answers must be complete and specific. 4 points are awarded for the correct response and 1 point is given if the team writes the author’s last name; spelling counts. Each team will have the option to challenge up to 3 questions and/or answers.
WHAT DOES A TEAM MANAGER DO?
The adult team manager may be a parent, teacher, relative or anyone over the age of 18 who will serve as the contact person between the team and the Sewickley Public Library. The team manager is responsible for filling out and returning the registration form to the library, keeping the team members motivated, and arranging team transportation to and from the site of the Battle of the Books Tournament. Team managers will serve as assistants during the tournament.
IMPORTANT DATES
5th Grade Team Manager Meeting: (on Zoom) Thursday, January 26, 2023 @ 7:30 -8:15pm
5th Grade Battle of the Books: Thursday, April 13, 2023 @ 7:00 PM – Sewickley Academy
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions please feel free to contact:
Jen Farmerie, Head of Children’s Services
farmeriej@sewickleylibrary.org
500 Thorn Street
Sewickley, PA 15143
Children’s Desk – 412-741-0937