FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED...

How did IHSBOB start?

Susan Fritzell (TAG teacher at Marshalltown High School) and Sue Inhelder (Teacher Librarian at Marshalltown High School) started IHSBOB during school year 2007-2008 when many of their incoming freshman wanted something similar to the middle school battle of the books. They opened the competition to Central Rivers AEA (formerly AEA 267). Sixteen teams competed in May 2008. In the 2008-2009 school year they advertised state-wide and opened competition to all Iowa high school students (grades 9-12). Over 80 teams registered!  The contest continued each year with the exception of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and was held virtually in 2021.  After the 2021 contest, leadership was handed over to Rebecca Bock (Teacher Librarian at Oskaloosa Middle School and Oskaloosa High School) and Kirstey Ewald (Consultant for School Improvement, Future Ready, and SBL, Central Rivers Area Education Agency) as co-chairs.

How do you create the list?

As our mission is to introduce Iowa high schoolers to award-winning literature, we begin with two award lists:  The Iowa High School Book Award list (created by Iowa teacher librarians) and the Alex Award list (created by the Young Adult Library Services Association).  Our goal is to have 28 titles, so to fill out the rest of the list, we choose from some of the previous years’ winners of the following awards: Coretta Scott King, Scott O’Dell, Newberry, Schneider, Pura Belpre, Printz,  William C. Morris, YALSA's Nonfiction Award, YALSA Teens' Top Ten, Walter Dean Meyers Teen, Odyssey, or Nebula's Andre Norton Awards. You can learn more about these awards by clicking the links to their websites.  

Not all award winners are included every year. We remove duplicates or previously battled books, and we choose the books that best fit 9-12 graders for interest and reading level. In addition, we choose books that have won a variety of awards, are of interest and recommended to young adults, and have the most objective and broad view of quality literature with diverse criteria.  We also seek to balance the list as much as possible to include various genres.

All of these award winners have been read by hundreds of committee members who have an extensive process to narrow them down. There is no way we could create a better system locally. The competition should not be considered a "recommended reading" list but an award-winning list for the competition.

What if I have an objection to one of the books?

We recognize and affirm every student's right to choose to read or not read any book.  The list is created using award-winning titles that are vetted by many people before they are chosen.  However, we understand that some titles might have content that isn't comfortable for every student.  If you encounter a title like that, please understand that you are free to choose not to read the book; however, we are going to keep that book on the list as it is an award-winning book recommended for this age group.  Remember that this is a team activity and that someone else on the team might feel more comfortable reading that title.  If not, keep in mind that each book counts for 1/28th of the competition.  Omitting one book only removes 3.6% of the possible points.  

If you feel the need to voice your objection, please contact the appropriate award committee with your concerns, as we do not choose these award lists.  However, we do trust the committees of expert and knowledgeable literacy professionals at the state and national levels to determine that the titles have merit based on each award's particular criteria.  We strongly support the ALA Freedom to Read Statement. 

Who can be on a team?

Teams should consist of two, but no more than to 6 (six) Iowa students (public, private, or home school) in grades 9-12 (or grade equivalent) may be on a team.  Any student who loves reading and wants to be a part of a team is eligible for competition.  This is NOT a talented and gifted-only opportunity.

Students MUST be in grades 9-12 (or equivalent) to connect with the content and reading level of the books.  Sorry, younger students are not invited to participate in this competition. See below for some possible Middle School BOB competitions.

Can additional students be alternates?

The short and simple answer . . . no. Teams may include as many as six students and only those listed on the registration form may compete as part of the team in the qualifying tests and in the Grand Battle. For example, six registered students take the online qualifying test and qualify for the Grand Battle. The team competing in the Grand Battle must be from that group of six registered students. All six do not have to travel to the Grand Battle, but you can’t substitute another student for someone unable to travel. No new students who weren't registered with the original team may be added to the team after the online testing (however, if a student is unable to participate in the online qualifying test but WAS registered as part of the team, that student may still travel to the Grand Battle if the team qualifies). 

Who May be a coach?

Any adult may be a coach: a content-area teacher, teacher librarian, TAG teacher, staff member, administrator, parent, public librarian, or volunteer. Your school sets guidelines as to who is able to meet with students on an extra-curricular basis.

A coach may sponsor more than one team.  However, you'll want to be able to read with, interact with, coach, and travel with your team. You should be the judge of how well you can do that with multiple teams. At the Grand Battle competition, an adult from each qualifying team serves as reader/judge/timer/helper.  Each team needs to bring an adult, so if you coach more than one team that qualifies for the Grand Battle, be sure to find a parent or co-teacher to attend with you!

How do we register?

Please see the Coaches' Information tab for everything you need to know about registering a team.

Are you committed to your deadlines?

Yes, we are.  We've already stretched everything to the maximum.  Failure to meet any of the deadlines may take your team out of the competition.  WE DON'T WANT THAT!  Please make sure you are aware of and meet all deadlines so your students can enjoy the competition.

When will the Qualifying test be?

Your students will have several opportunities to find time to take the online test during the two-week testing period.  We will be opening the online test at specific times throughout the testing period and will close it between sessions to preserve the integrity of the test.  A schedule will be shared with coaches as the testing period approaches.  There will be times before, during, and after school on different days to accommodate high schoolers' busy schedules.  Coaches will have an opportunity to give feedback about the schedule or request a different time during the testing week if needed.  However, the test must be completed during the specified testing period.  This allows everyone an equal opportunity to participate fairly.  We recommend that you make every attempt to schedule your test early in the testing period in case unforeseen weather/technology/illness/scheduling issues arise.

What should we wear to the Grand Battle?

School-appropriate clothing is the expectation; sorry, no costumes, masks, or hats. Team t-shirts are definitely popular at the Grand Battle (take a look at battle pics on the website). It's so fun to see the creativity your students bring to the battle! 

We encourage the design of shirts that promote reading, your team, or your school, but we request that shirts do not contain prompts for the battle titles. Students are not allowed notes of any kind at the battle and that would include paper, electronic devices, clothing, skin, etc. 

Also, please know that team shirts are not required at the Grand Battle.  Many teams have them, and that's wonderful if all students have the means to purchase one.  However, they are definitely not necessary.

Can parents and spectators attend the Grand Battle?

No.  We wish we could accommodate spectators, but our space is limited and there is only room for competitors, coaches, and chaperone/parent drivers.

Do you know of any other Battle of the Books contests?

We don't know of any other high school Battle of the Books contests for Iowa students.  Below are some contests for middle school students.  If you know of a high school or middle school contest not listed here, please use the Contact Us info to let us know and we will add it here!

SW Iowa Middle School Battle of the Books (7th and 8th grade students in Southwest Iowa)

Dallas Center-Grimes Battle of the Books (5th-8th grade students)

Iowa Elementary & Middle School Battle of the Books (3rd-5th is elementary, 6th-8th is middle school)