FAQ's

Where do the books come from?

BVSD uses books from the Alaska Association of School Librarians. All books and questions are selected and written by this organization and not by employees of BVSD. Alaska explains that classroom teachers, reading specialists, and library media specialists from across the country spend many hours choosing books and writing questions for each year’s battles. Books are carefully selected so that classics, award winners, and new favorites are all considered. Books are selected over a range of reading levels so that all students can participate, and care is taken to ensure that the collection is balanced with respect to diversity of protagonists and genres represented.

How did it start?

In the 1930′s, Battle of the Books was a Chicago radio program. Since then, it has grown into a national initiative to motivate readers. This is the 14th year BVSD has sponsored a Battle of the Books program.

What does my child need to do?

Read! Your student will need to read all 6 books from their grade level list in the BVSD Battle of Books Booklist.

How can I help at home?

• Encourage your child to talk with you about the characters, the important events, and the big ideas from the books. 

• Read parts of the books aloud to your child, or take turns reading together.

• Help your child set nightly and weekly goals for reading the books. 

• Use sticky notes on the pages to jot down questions and wonderings. 

• Write practice questions using the structure, “In which book...?”

• Help your child keep a journal of what they read.

• Practice questions will be available soon.

When will my child meet with their Battle of the Books team?

• Lunch/recess one day each week

• Schedule coming soon!

When is the quiz to determine who is on the Battle Team?

A Google Quiz will be given in February 2026. All books should be read by then. Students who achieve the top 6 scores from each grade level will be on the Battle Team. This team consists of 5 Battle Team Members, plus 1 alternate. Should something happen to any of the 5 members, the alternate will fill in on the day of the Battle Competition. All other students will be on the Practice Team. Everyone will continue to meet weekly, and all students will continue to be included in practices. No one will be excluded from practices based on their quiz performance.

When is the District Battle?

Students who make it onto the Battle Team will compete in the District Battle. The date for the District Battle will be on March 28, 2026. Usually, this take place at Meadowlark K-8 School in Erie, CO. Specific times for each grade level have not been determined. However, in the past, each grade has been given a 2-3 hour window. We have rarely used all 3 hours allotted for each grade level.

What happens on the day of the District Battle?

Each team will be given a time for their grade’s competition. Students will meet me at the main main entrance of Meadowlark School at their assigned time. Parents may stay and wait in the cafeteria, or drop off students and return to pick them up. I will accompany the Battle Team to our assigned classroom. There, students will work together to answer 40 questions. When students finish answering the questions, they will wait in the cafeteria as a team. Points will be awarded based on the number of questions answered correctly. Once points are awarded, winning school teams will be announced in the cafeteria. All students will receive an award certificate. Winning teams will receive medals; a trophy to display at school; and a free book.

Why can’t everyone compete in the District Battle?

The BVSD District Level Battle has the capacity to host up to five students from each participating grade level at each school. While it is a competition, the bigger purpose is for all students to be proud of their reading and to be celebrated at the school level!

How do we celebrate reading?

A pizza party, of course! In May, we will have a Ryan Battle of the Books pizza party to celebrate everyone’s participation, hard work, and dedication. I will provide lunch, drinks, and a dessert during students’ regular lunch times. Arrangements will be made for allergies. Students must read all 6 books and regularly attend practices to attend invited the party. Excused school absences do not count against them.