• Library Home
• BOTB Home
• Catalog
• Teen Space

Battle of the Books

Battle News

Past Battle of the Books

• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002

Rules of Play

• Each team will consist of at least 5 players, but not more than 9 players.
• If on the day of the event, a registered team does not have the minimum number of players (5), they may still participate.
• Team members must be entering grades 6-9.

Game/Set-up

• There will be 6 rounds in which each team will participate.
• Each round will last approximately 10 minutes, with a 5-minute break between each round.
• In each round, 2 teams "battle" against each other. Multiple "battles" will be taking place during each round.
• In case of an odd number of teams, 1 team may not have an opposing team during one particular round. That team will vary from round to round.

Questions

• 26 alternating questions will be posed to the teams during each round. 13 questions per team.
• The questions asked during the individual rounds will always be the same no matter what room your group is located in.
• In case of an odd number of teams, 1 team will be asked only 13 questions.
• The questions will be based on the 6 titles that the participants have read.
• Questions will not be ambiguous. Answers will be straightforward and specific as they relate to characters, setting, plot, detail or quote identification.
• Questions will be read in their entirety unless interrupted by the team.
• Interrupted questions will not be finished and the play begins at the end of the interruption.
• Questions will be posed to the individual teams and then given 20 seconds to complete the answer; 1 point for correct answer, 0 points for incorrect or incomplete answers.
• Clock starts at the end of the question. If a team requests a rereading of the question the clock continues to run.
• The opposing team does not have an opportunity to answer a question that was incorrectly answered.
• Any prompting from the audience will disqualify the question.
• There will be no challenge to questions by coaches, player or parents.

Playoff Round

• Should more than 2 teams qualify for the championship round playoff rounds will occur simultaneously.
• Teams will answer as many questions as possible during the 3-minute playoff round.
• An interrupted question will not be repeated; response must be given within 10 seconds.
• Questions can be passed.
• 1 point will be awarded for correct responses, a 1 point deduction will be taken for incorrect responses, and 0 points for passed or unanswered responses.
• If additional playoff rounds are necessary each successive round will be reduced by 1 minute.

Championship Round

• Two top scoring teams!
• This will be a 10-minute "thunder" round.
• Opposing teams will try to answer as many questions as possible during the specified time period.
• Quickest individual to "buzz in" using the "Quizzer" will answer the question.
• Response must be given immediately following recognition of 1st individual to "buzz in."
• 1 point will be awarded for correct responses and a 1 point deduction will be taken for incorrect response or no response.
• If after 5 seconds no team is recognized to answer the given question, the next question will be read.

The program is funded in part by the B&ECPL Development Office and Federal Library Services and Technology Act Funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.