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EVENTS

Join us for the 10th Anniversary of Battle of the Books!

Date: Saturday, August 2, 2008
Location: ECC - South Campus - Orchard Park

2008 Titles

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
The Newbery Medal-winning author of "A Year Down Yonder" delivers a rousing, wicked comedy of cars, role models, and revelation that features quirky characters, a folksy setting, classic cars, and hilarious yet moving moments.
Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, A Princess, SomeSoup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate Dicamillo
The adventures of Desperaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin.
Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea. His mother sends him to a summer camp for demigods where he and his new friends set out on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.
Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complicated emotions, his school life, and his desire to support his family.
Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
After spending her summer running the family farm and training the quarterback for her school's rival football team, sixteen-year-old D.J. decides to go out for the sport herself, not anticipating the reactions of those around her.
Birdwing by Rafe Martin
Prince Ardwin, known as Birdwing, the youngest of six brothers turned into swans by their stepmother, is unable to complete the transformation back into human form, so he undertakes a journey to discover whether his feathered arm will be a curse or a blessing to him.

Battle Stories

From Orchard Park: Jacob was 12 years old and a first time Battle participant last year. Jacob was always smiling... he really liked being part of a “team”. He will be back to compete for Orchard Park in 2008.

From Lackawanna: Lackawanna has fielded a battle team since 2001. Nick joined the team in 2005 at age 11. He is a bright boy with a great memory for details. The Battle of the Books is an activity where children like Nick can shine. He reads all 6 books, writes many questions and acted as the team's spokesperson in 2007. Nick is a great asset to the Lackawanna team!

From Newstead: Jason joined the Newstead team in 2006 as a 6th grader. He had always had difficulty reading because of an eye condition. He was working with a behavioral ophthalmologist to who worked with him to train his eyes to "work together". Participating in Battle in 2006 was a struggle, but 2007 was a much better year and Jason really enjoyed it. He is looking forward to helping the team in 2008!

2007 Competition



Another extremely successful Battle of the Books competition was held on Saturday, August 4th! Thirty-six teams, totaling 273 students, from 23 libraries participated. Congratulations to this year's winning team -- Marilla! Akron 2 was the runner-up. Eden and the City of Tonawanda tied for third place. Rounding out the top 10 were: North Collins 1, Orchard Park 1, Clarence 3, Lackawanna 2, Orchard Park 2, Clarence 1 and Elma 2. Thank you to all participants, coaches and volunteers!

How Battle Changed My Life

When I put my name on the piece of paper ten years ago for Battle of the Books, I had no clue how it would come to change my life. I had always loved to read books, and that summer when I had the chance to enter into a contest that revolved around reading, I leapt at the chance. Over the next two years, I came to know Mrs. Forsberg, one of the librarians at Orchard Park. I had reached the age limit for doing Battle, but continued to spend y time devouring different books. Four years later, when I applied for a job at the Orchard Park Library, it was her who hired me because she remembered me from my time doing Battle. Working at Orchard Park was a wonderful experience that opened the door for me to work downtown in the bookstore. Last summer I wished to go back where it all began, and I decided to be an assistant coach to one of the teams from Orchard Park for Battle of the Books. I spent my Tuesday nights helping the students answer questions and understand the books. However, it was while I was working at Orchard Park that I came to realize that I wished to always work in a library. It was this realization that inspired me to apply to library school at the University at Buffalo. I am now currently finishing up my first semester of grad school, and when I look back, I realize that had I not signed up for Battle of the Books ten years ago. I would not be where I am today.

~Sara

History of Battle of the Books

Battle of the Books 2007

Year: 2007
Date: Aug. 4
Location: Erie Community College - South Campus
#Libraries: 25
#teams: 36
#participants: 273
#spectators: 350
#volunteers: 81
Sponsor: B&ECPL Development Office, LSTA funds through NYS Library
Libraries: ANG BOS CLA CFD CON DUD ECL EDN ELM GRI HAM JBR KNM LCW LNC MAR MRW NPK NST NCO OPK REI RIV TON WSE
Winner: Marilla
Titles:
  • Al Capone Does My Shirts - Choldenko
  • Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator - Allison
  • Ruins of Gorlan - Flanagan
  • Running Out of Time - Haddix
  • Star of Kazan - Ibbotson
  • Tangerine - Bloor

Battle of the Books 2006

Year: 2006
Date: Jul. 29
Location: Erie Community College - South Campus
#Libraries: 20
#teams: 24
#participants: 242
#spectators: 450
#volunteers: 78
Sponsor: B&ECPL Development Office, LSTA funds through NYS Library
Libraries: ANG BOS CLA CON EDN ELM GRI JBR KNM LCW LNC MAR MRW ECL EDL NST NCO OPK REI RIV WSE
Winner: Clarence
Titles:
  • Becoming Naomi Leon - Ryan
  • Chu Ju's House - Whelan
  • Lionboy - Corder
  • Skellig - Almond
  • Things Not Seen - Clements
  • Time Stops for No Mouse - Hoeye

Battle of the Books 2005

Year: 2005
Date: Aug. 6
Location: Erie Community College - South Campus
#Libraries: 23
#teams: 26
#participants: 252
#spectators: 500-600
#volunteers: 60
Sponsor: Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. through Beverly Worth Janish Memorial Fund and New York State 2005 Statewide Summer Reading Program
Libraries: AKR ANG BOS CLA CON DEP ECL EDN ELM FFD GRI JBR KNS LCW LNC MAR NCK NCO NPK OPK RIV TON WSE
Winner: Grand Island
Titles:
  • City of Ember - DuPrau
  • Artemis Fowl - Colfer
  • Surviving the Applewhites - Tolan
  • The Shadow Club Rising - Shusterman
  • Sing Down the Moon - O'Dell
  • Hoot - Hiaasen

Battle of the Books 2004

Year: 2004
Date: Aug. 7
Location: Erie Community College - South Campus
#Libraries: 25
#teams: 32
#participants: 350+
#spectators: 700+
#volunteers: 100
Sponsor: Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc.
Libraries: AKR ANG BOS CLA CON DEP ECL EDN ELM FFD GRI JBR KNS LCW LNC MAR MEA NCK NCO NPK OPK RIV TON WSE
Winner: Riverside
Titles:
  • Woodsong - Paulsen
  • Stuck in Neutral - Trueman
  • A Single Shard - Park
  • The Thief Lord - Funke
  • Jorney to Nowhere - Auch
  • Swords for Hire - Allen

Battle of the Books 2003

Year: 2003
Date: Aug. 2
Location: Erie Community College - South Campus
#Libraries: 30
#teams: 35
#participants: 356
#spectators: 700+
#volunteers: 79
Sponsor: Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. Harold C. Brown & Co. Inc., Wendy's
Libraries: AKR ANG BLA BOS CLA CON CRA DEP EAU ECL EDN ELM FFD GRI HAM JBR KNM LCW LSH LNC MAR MEA NCK NCO NPK OPK REI RIV SCK TON
Winner: Lancaster/Depew
Titles:
  • A Wrinkle in Time - L'Engle
  • Shakespeare Stealer - Blackwood
  • The Wreckers - Iain
  • Stargirl - Spinelli
  • In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson - Lord
  • The Secret of Platform 13 - Ibbotson

Battle of the Books 2002

Year: 2002
Date: Aug. 3
Location: Erie Community College - South Campus
#Libraries: 30
#teams: 39
#participants: 393
#spectators: 750 (includes contestants, workers etc.)
#volunteers: 175
Sponsor: Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. Harold C. Brown & Co. Inc., Wendy's
Libraries: AKR ANG AUD BLA BOS CLA COL CRA DEP EAU EDN ELM FFD FRO GRI HAM JBR KNM KNS LCW LSH LNC MAR MEA NCK NCO OPK REI RIV TON
Winner: Lancaster/Depew
Titles:
  • Because of Winn-Dixie - DiCamillo
  • The Black Cauldron - Alexander
  • Homeless Bird - Whelan
  • Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key - Gantos
  • The Lost Years of Merlin - Barron
  • When Zachary Beaver Came to Town - Holt

Battle of the Books 2001

Year: 2001
Date: Aug. 4
Location: Erie Community College - South Campus
#Libraries: 28
#teams: 36
#participants: 300
#spectators: 500
#volunteers: 62
Sponsor: Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. Wendy's
Libraries: AKR ANG AUD BLA BOS CEN COL CRA DEP EAU EDN ELM GRI HAM JBR KNM KNS LCW LSH LNC MAR MEA NCK NCO OPK REI RIV TON
Winner: Eden
Titles:
  • Rules of the Road - Bauer
  • Year of Impossible Goodbyes - Choi
  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham - Curtis
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Rowling
  • The Dark Side of Nowhere - Shusterman
  • Armageddon Summer - Yolen

Battle of the Books 2000

Year: 2000
Date: Aug. 5
Location: Erie Community College - North Campus
#Libraries: 14
#teams: 20
#participants: 180
#spectators: 375
#volunteers: 33
Sponsor: Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. Harold C. Brown & Co. Inc.
Libraries: AUD BOS COL DEP EDN ELM JBR KNL KNM LNC MEA NCK OPK REI
Winner: Eden
Titles:
  • Walk Two Moons - Creech
  • Whirligig - Fleischman
  • The View from Saturday - Konigsburg
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Rowling
  • Hole - Sachar
  • Belle Prater's - White

Battle of the Books 1999

Year: 1999
Date: Aug. 7
Location: Julia Boyer Reinstein Library
#Libraries: 6
#teams: 6
#participants: 75
#spectators: 150
#volunteers: 10
Sponsor: Library Foundation of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc.
Libraries: AUD DEP ELM JBR LNC OPK
Winner: Elma
Titles:
  • SOS Titanic - Bunting
  • The Face on the Milk Carton - Cooney
  • Catherine, Called Birdy - Cushman
  • The Giver - Lowry
  • Z for Zachariah - O'Brien
  • Canyons - Paulsen

Rules of Play

Teams
  • 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.
  • 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
   

 

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