Criteria for St. Jerome Book Battle Booklist 2025-2026 

The list of books for the upcoming year is ultimately determined by the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools Office, however, feedback and suggestions from our greater school communities (ex. librarians, teachers, administrators, staff, clergy, parents, etc.). When recommending books, please prayerfully discern their content, for words and ideas on the page can be food for minds and souls of our students. 

The deadline for the 2025-2026 book nominations is February 28, 2025.

The following criteria will be used in the selection of books: 

1. A variety of reading levels will be represented but will be no lower than 4th grade reading level.

2. Interest level:

a. Consider a variety of plots, settings, and styles.

b. Consider a variety of subject areas: adventure, animals, biblical, fantasy, realistic fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, biography, folk literature, classics, Catholic heritage/tradition, provide characters that represent multiple stakeholders, etc.

c. Quality--select well-reviewed titles that reinforce lessons taught in the Education in Virtue program and will “stand the test of time.”

d. Availability--books must be currently available.

e. Only one book from a series can be included on the reading list in any given year.

f. Graphic novels may be used if deemed appropriate by the committee. All questions will come from the text only.

3. Titles may be repeated on the booklist for subsequent years.