Battle of the Books Q&A

 · What is Battle of the Books? (BOB)
Battle of the Books is a contest of reading and retention skills for kids going into 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades.  (i.e. Any student finishing 3^rd, 4^th or 5^th grade this spring.) Teams read books and quiz each other about what they read in a “Battle of the Books.”

 · How do I participate in BOB?
Each student who wishes to participate in BOB must complete a registration form and turn it in to the Mt. Lebanon Public Library by June 30, 2008.

 · How does BOB work?
There are three levels: kids going into 4^th grade; kids going into 5^th grade and kids going into 6^th grade.  Each level has its own book list and battles.  Each team reads a number of books from the designated book list provided by the library and must create questions inspired by the books read.  For each book read, at least two questions must be submitted to the library.  These questions are used in the book battle.  The questions are read by the moderator during the battle and if the designated team answers the question correctly, they earn a point.  If that team doesn’t provide the correct answer, the question is then posed to all the teams at once.  The first team to hit the buzzer gets a chance to answer.  Whichever team answers the question correctly gets the point.  Book battles are held over two consecutive weeks. The total number of points from both weeks’ competition is added up and the team with the most points wins.

 · When are the battles?
The battles are Thursday, July 17^th and Thursday, July 24^th. 4th grade at 6:30; 5^th grade at 7:15 and 6^th grade at 8:00 each night.

 · Must I come to both nights? 
No, but you should discuss that with your team.

 · How do I get on a team?
Teams can be made up of students who already know each other and wish to create their own team(school mates, neighbors, friends, scouting troops, etc.) or teams can consist of any individual students who wish to participate (children’s librarian Elizabeth Schwertfuehrer will place these students together on a team).  Anyone can join; you do not need to have a ready-made team.  If you create your own team, please indicate as such on your registration form.  Each team needs a coach, so you should ask a grown-up to be your coach.  There is information for coaches at the library. After everyone who wants to participate has registered, Elizabeth will create the final line-up of teams to make sure that every student has a team and that every team has a coach.

 · How do I know when I’ve been placed on a team/my team is formed?
The deadline for accepting registration forms is June 30, 2008.  Most teams will not be finalized until after the 4^th of July.  Elizabeth will contact you.

 · How many people can be on one team?
The team size is not restricted; however, an ideal size is between 5 and 10 students. 

 · How many teams can participate?
We can have only six teams for each level.  The first six teams to be formed for each level will get the available slots for the book battles.

 · When do I start reading?
IMMEDIATELY!  Book lists are currently available.  You do not have to wait for a book to be available on the cart in our library.  If a book is not available at Mt. Lebanon Public Library, please feel free to request it from  another library.

 · Do I have to read all of the books on the list?
NO!  No one team member has to read all of the books.  If you choose to, that’s great. A team reads the entire BOB book list as a group effort. Team members can decide among themselves who will read what, though every team member should read at least one title. When the reading is finished, as preparation for the battle, it is important to share your knowledge of the book you read and the questions you wrote with your team.

 · How many questions do I write?
At least two questions for each book you read.  Submit them to the library as you read the books.  The more questions available, the better the battle.

 · How do I get the books?
You can check them out from the designated BOB book cart at the Mt. Lebanon Library OR request them through the county-wide library system.  This can be done from home or by seeing a library staff member.

 · How do we have team meetings?
Coaches are responsible for coordinating team meetings.  The library is a great place to meet!

 · What if I have questions?
Ask to speak with Children’s Librarian Elizabeth Schwertfuehrer.  The easiest way to reach her is to send her an email at schwertfuehrere@einetwork.net