Thursday, April 11, 2024 @ 7:00 PM – Edgeworth Elementary School
NEW THIS YEAR! Looking for a team?
Maybe you are an individual who needs to find a full team?
Or you have 2-3 members already and need one or two more participants to round out your group?
Fill out our “Looking for a Team” form and our staff will do our best to get you connected with others to form a team.
Use the form below beginning January 3rd.
5th Grade Book List
- Alexander, Kwame – The Crossover – 2018
- Fleischman, Sid – Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini – 2015
- Gaiman, Neil – The Graveyard Book – 2017
- Hiaasen, Carl – Scat – 2011
- Jamieson, Victoria – When Stars Are Scattered – 2021
- Levine, Gail Carson – Ella Enchanted – 2001
- Lowry, Lois – Number the Stars – 1994
- O’Brien, Robert – Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh – 2010
- Raskin, Ellen – The Westing Game – 1994
- Riordan, Rick – The Lightning Thief – 2012
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 3rd. All teams should be registered by February 2. All team managers SHOULD attend the virtual info meeting on Zoom on Tuesday, January 30th from 7:30 -8:15pm. Copies of the reading list will be distributed at that time.
LOOKING FOR A TEAM?
New this year, If you are looking for a team to join, you can fill out the “Looking for a Team” Form. If we have enough participants to help form a team, we will. Please note that parents of the kids who fill out this form must be willing to be Team Managers. The librarians at the Sewickley Public Library will do our best to help form teams. We are unable to guarantee that we will be able to form a team.
WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE FOR THE “BATTLE”?
Teams participating in the “BATTLE” will meet at 6:45 PM at Edgeworth Elementary School on Thursday, April 11, 2024. 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 1 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) Tuesday, January 30 @ 7:30 -8:15pm
5th Grade Battle of the Books: Thursday, April 11, 2024 @ 7:00 PM – Edgeworth Elementary School
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