MIDDLE SCHOOL BATTLE OF THE BOOKS OVERVIEW
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Competitors in Grades 6-8 have the option of participating individually or as a team of 2.
(Teams and Individuals will be scored separately)
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All participants should fill out the registration form from January 10 through 8pm on February 2.
(If you have a partner, you both will need to fill out the form!)
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What does the competition look like?
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2 Virtual Battles for all competitors
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The Penultimate Battle: a live competition on the Auditorium stage for the top 10 teams and top 10 individuals
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The Final Battle: a live Jeopardy-style battle in MCTV studios for the top 3 teams and top 3 individuals (If you don't make it to the Final Battle, we encourage you and your team to watch MCTV's live stream or recording of the Championship Battle!)
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Prizes!
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All competitors who finish the first AND second virtual Battles will receive a Battle of the Books T-shirt. Shirts will be delivered to the schools for distribution.
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Competitors who are invited to the Penultimate Battle will receive a Battle of the Books button to commemorate their experience.
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The winners of Final Battle will have their names engraved on a trophy that will be on display for the year at their school, and will earn $250 for their school library to purchase new books
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The second-place teams at Final Battle will earn $150 for their school library to purchase new books
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Participation Award: The school with the highest participation rate receives $100 for their school library to purchase new books
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Additionally, the Library plans to present the check and/or Trophy to the winning team in front of the school or their classmates, recognizing their hard work and alignment with the school's commitment to academic excellence.
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HELPFUL HINTS FOR PARTICIPANTS
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Attend the Kickoff in the Library's Auditorium on January 10th at 10:00am! We are excited to get started, and we hope you are, too.
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Have fun reading all 5 books! Consider taking notes on each book to help you remember details.
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If you have friends who are also competing, talk about the books and quiz each other—it’s a great way to review.
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Attend the Middle School Celebration following the Penultimate Battle. It’s for ALL participants and their families!
MIDDLE SCHOOL BATTLE OF THE BOOKS 2026 SCHEDULE
January 10: Middle School Kick-off, Auditorium, 10:00-11:00am
Online Registration opens and Battle books will be available.
February 2: Registration Closes at 8:00pm
February 4-15: Practice Battle Open (Virtual)
February 16-18: First Middle School Written Battle (Virtual)
February 23-25: Second Middle School Written Battle (Virtual)
March 5: Penultimate Battle (Top 10 Individuals & Top 10 Teams)
Auditorium, 4:30pm
*Middle School Celebration for all teams to follow at 5:30pm on the Library's Mezzanine
March 12: Final Battle (Jeopardy-Style)
MCTV Studio, 4:00pm (Individuals) & 5:00pm (Teams)
Teams will Battle in person and be recorded by MCTV
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
The following are some examples of questions asked in the Battles.
Not all questions will fall into these precise categories.
1. “Short answer – significant title, event or object”
What is significant about the yellow balloon Mattie keeps referring to throughout Fever 1793?
2. “Quotation directly from the book”
What is missing from Woodmoor Manor that Leo claims is “proper entertainment”?
3. “Give one out of two or more possibilities”
Name one of the three things the Sleer guards.
4. “Comparison with another book(s) on the list”
In 96 MILES, Cleverly hopes they’ll have ice-cold sodas and cheeseburgers and fries at Brighton Ranch. Name the other battle character who eats a cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke just before receiving bad news about a friend.
5. “In what book?”
In what book is the main character cautioned about a witch in Potter’s Field?
6. “Important setting or location”
Where did Arthur’s mom meet her new boyfriend?
7. “Short answer – significant title, event, or object”
What does Stew believe caused the power blackout?
8. “Definition of unique terms or important words”
Name the device the maids of Woodmoor Manor used to communicate.
ANSWERS
1. It was the first hot air balloon flown in the United States. (Fever 1793, pg 245)
2. A T.V. (television) (What Lives in The Woods, pg 28)
3. Old brooch, goblet, knife. (The Graveyard Book, pg 56)
4. Arthur Owens (The Seventh Most Important Thing, pg 146)
5. The Graveyard Book (The Graveyard Book, pg 99 & 107)
6. At her new job/dentist’s office (The Seventh Most Important Thing, pg 182)
7. Zombies (96 Miles, pg 103)
8. Speaking Tube (What Lives In The Woods, pg 36)