EVENTS
| Battle of the Books 2004 | |
|
Battle of the Books Team Competition |
Congratulations to all participants in this year's "Battle" which was held at ECC South on Saturday August 7th! Approximately 350 participants, 700 spectators and 100 volunteers were in attendance. Thirty-two teams representing 25 libraries participated with the Riverside Branch taking top honors and the Elma Library coming in second in the competition. A special thanks goes our to everyone who planned, coached or volunteered! |
Battle of the Books is a summer program that offers students the chance to
answer trivia questions and compete with teams from across Erie
County.The Titles
 |
Woodsong |
When Gary Paulsen travels with his sled dogs, he is up against the most unforgiving side of nature. Facing the brutally cold Minnesota wilderness is a challenge he is determined to survive. The ultimate test is Alaska’s Iditarod. Alone, with only his dogs for company, Paulsen begins a thousand-mile trek though frozen Arctic wasteland – a journey that may cost his life. With thrilling immediacy, the award-winning novelist pulls us into the breathtaking drama of his own story. |
 |
Stuck in Neutral |
Shawn McDaniel is an enigma and a miracle – except no one knows it, least of all his father. He thinks his father may be planning to kill him. His life is not what it may seem to anyone looking at him. Not even those who love him best have any idea what he is truly like. In this extraordinary and powerful first novel, the reader learns to look beyond the obvious and finds a character whose spirit is rich beyond imagining and whose story is unforgettable. |
 |
A Single Shard |
Foraging in fields and on rubbish heaps, and sharing the food with his friend Crane-man, used to be enough to fill Tree-ear’s days, but now all Tree-ear wants to do is watch master potter Min at work. Ch’ulp’o is a potters’ village, famous for delicate celadon ware, and Min is the most brilliant of all the potters in Ch’ulp’o. He is also known to be short-tempered. Even so, Tree-ear is drawn irresistibly to Min’s workplace. He is fascinated by the miracle of the potter’s craft and dreams of making a pot of his own someday. His quest leads him down unexpected paths, with hazards and rewards beyond imagining. This account of a creative spirit on its journey toward fulfillment is set in twelfth-century Korea, where the course of human destiny could be determined by a single celadon shard. |
 |
The Thief Lord |
Welcome to the magical underworld of Venice, Italy, where hidden canals and crumbling
rooftops shelter runaways and children with incredible secrets… |
 |
Journey to Nowhere |
Mary Jane Auch is a local author from the Genesse Valley. In 1815, while traveling by covered wagon to settle in the wilderness of western New York, eleven-year old Mem experiences a flood and separation from her family. |
 |
Swords for Hire |
Sam Hatcher is an ordinary farm boy in the kingdom of Parmall, until his father sends him off to join the elite Royal Guard. The only catch is that the 16-year-old has no military experience. He soon finds himself teamed up with the slightly unbalanced soldier of fortune, Rigby Skeet, and they set out on a mission to find the rightful monarch of Parmall, King Olive, who has been imprisoned in a faraway dungeon by his evil brother. |
Rules of Play
Teams
- Each team will consist of at least 5 players, but not more than 9 players. Six alternates will be accepted and listed on the official registration form. Alternates will be used at the discretion of the coach.
- 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.
- All team members will participate in each round.
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