What is the Battle of the Books?
The Battle of the Books is a contest where teams read from a list of books then meet at the battle to test their knowledge against other teams. The teams will be asked questions about each book and the team with the most correct answers wins the Battle of the Books.

How can I be in the Battle of the Books?

• If you are in 6th, 7th or 8th grade and live or attend school in Westland:
• First, find a team. (A team can be between 2 and 6 people-bigger might be better since you’ll have a better chance of someone knowing the answer.)
• Find a team manager. (A parent or a teacher is a good choice.)
• Fill out and turn in tour registration form. (Get one at school or at the library.)
• Read the books. (See list below.)
• Come to the battle on April 29th and compete.

Important dates: (Check back frequently to make sure nothing has been added.)

• February 25th 6:00 p.m. – Informational meeting for parents and students who would like to learn more
• March 4th 7:00 p.m. – Managers’ meeting and registration forms due
• May 1st 6:00 p.m. – Battle of the Books

Battle of the Books Titles



Pieces of Georgia by Jen Bryant

In journal entries to her mother, a gifted artist who died suddenly, thirteen-year-old Georgia McCoy reveals how her life changes after she receives an anonymous gift membership to a nearby art museum.



Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.



Underwater by Debbie Levy

Sixth-grader Gabe, a middle child, is unsure of himself and how he fits in his family and the rest of his world. Both his brothers have learning disabilities, does he? Is he a "difficult child," as the book his mom has suggests? Or, does he simply need to find his place?



The Truth About Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler

Zebby and Amr start a website about Truman Middle School because the school newspaper will only publish articles about the football team and the popular kids. The website becomes a big hit, but only when someone starts posting pictures revealing a popular girl’s deepest secret. See if you can figure out who is holding a grudge against Lilly and what happens in the end.



Last Shot by John Feinstein

Someone is trying to blackmail the star player of college basketball’s biggest tournament and two teen writing contest winners are the only ones that can help. But when thirteen year olds, Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson, try to find answers, they realize they may be in over their heads. Survival in this book is not only about hitting the big shot or grabbing the key rebound. Read the book to see what happens.



Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue.