What is the Battle of the Books?
The Battle of the Books is an independent reading incentive program for students in fourth and fifth grades here in Oldham County in which teams of students read books, write questions, and later answer questions about the books they have read. Students should be working on building their reading comprehension as they read. They will later compete as teams to see who can recall the most about the books they read. Students compete at the school level, and then a group of six students will be chosen as the Buckner All Star Team to compete at the District level.
The purpose of Battle of the Books is to encourage students to read good books and have fun competing with peers. In addition, students are introduced to different genres of books that they might not normally read. For me, Battle of the Books is not about who wins first place in the school or district competition. Battle of the Books originated with the idea that reading is fun! It was designed to increase enthusiasm for reading and to give students a chance to be part of a team!
The purpose of Battle of the Books is to encourage students to read good books and have fun competing with peers. In addition, students are introduced to different genres of books that they might not normally read. For me, Battle of the Books is not about who wins first place in the school or district competition. Battle of the Books originated with the idea that reading is fun! It was designed to increase enthusiasm for reading and to give students a chance to be part of a team!
5th Grade Titles (2017-2018)
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate (DRA 40)
A story about a homeless boy and his imaginary friend that proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.
The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (DRA 50)
Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.
Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963: A Novel by Christopher Paul Curtis (DRA 50)
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African-American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (DRA 40)
Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.
City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (DRA 50)
In the city of Ember, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (DRA 50)
In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm, until another "third" convinces him that the government is wrong.
Chasing the Falconers by Gordon Korman (DRA 40)
Aiden and Meg Falconer must escape from a juvenile detention center in order to prove their parents innocent of charges which would put them in jail for life.
Crash by Jerry Spinelli (DRA 50)
Seventh-grader John "Crash" Coogan has always been comfortable with his tough, aggressive behavior, until his relationship with an unusual Quaker boy and his grandfather's stroke make him consider the meaning of friendship and the importance of family.
First Light by Rebecca Stead (DRA 60)
When twelve-year-old Peter and his family arrive in Greenland for his father's research, he stumbles upon a secret his mother has been hiding from him all his life, and begins an adventure he never imagines possible.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (DRA 60)
As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.
A story about a homeless boy and his imaginary friend that proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.
The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (DRA 50)
Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.
Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963: A Novel by Christopher Paul Curtis (DRA 50)
The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African-American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963.
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (DRA 40)
Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.
City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (DRA 50)
In the city of Ember, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix (DRA 50)
In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm, until another "third" convinces him that the government is wrong.
Chasing the Falconers by Gordon Korman (DRA 40)
Aiden and Meg Falconer must escape from a juvenile detention center in order to prove their parents innocent of charges which would put them in jail for life.
Crash by Jerry Spinelli (DRA 50)
Seventh-grader John "Crash" Coogan has always been comfortable with his tough, aggressive behavior, until his relationship with an unusual Quaker boy and his grandfather's stroke make him consider the meaning of friendship and the importance of family.
First Light by Rebecca Stead (DRA 60)
When twelve-year-old Peter and his family arrive in Greenland for his father's research, he stumbles upon a secret his mother has been hiding from him all his life, and begins an adventure he never imagines possible.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (DRA 60)
As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.
4th Grade Titles (2017-2018)
Finding Serendipity by Angelica Banks (DRA 40)
When Tuesday McGillycuddy and her beloved dog Baxterr discover that Tuesday's mother--the famous author Serendipity Smith--has gone missing, they set out on a magical adventure. In their quest to find Serendipity, they discover the mysterious and unpredictable place that stories come from.
Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling (DRA 30)
A boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate.
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner (DRA 38)
Little Willie hopes to pay the back taxes on his grandfather's farm with the purse from a dog sled race he enters.
Honus and Me: A Baseball Card Adventure by Dan Gutman (DRA 40)
Joey, who loves baseball but is not very good at it, finds a valuable 1909 Honus Wagner card and travels back in time to meet Honus.
Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins (DRA 40)
Six stories relate the adventures of three best friends, Lumphy, a stuffed buffalo, Sting Ray, a stuffed stingray, and Plastic, a toy who happens to be in the midst of an identity crisis.
Stranger Next Door by Peg Kehret (DRA 50)
A clever cat's heroism helps two twelve-year-old boys become friends after their families, one of which is in a witness protection program, move to neighboring houses in Hilltop, Washington.
Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O’Connor (DRA 40)
In Fayette, South Carolina, the highlight of Popeye's summer is learning vocabulary words with his grandmother until a motor home gets stuck nearby and Elvis, the oldest boy living inside, joins Popeye in finding the source of strange boats floating down the creek.
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff (DRA 50)
Tells the tale of Rumpelstiltskin's childhood and youth, explaining why his name is so important, how he is able to spin straw into gold, and why a first-born child is his reward for helping the miller's daughter-turned-queen.
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli (DRA 40)
Suds learns that his best friend is wrong. You don't have to be a tough guy, a "rat," to be a grown up fourth grader.
I Survived the Eruption of Mount Saint Helens by Lauren Tarshis (DRA 40)
On May 18, 1980, eleven-year-old Jessie Marlowe and her best friends, Eddie and Sam, are in a forest near Mount St. Helens when the months of wondering whether the volcano will erupt are finally answered--all three are badly burned, but it is up to Jessie to protect the boys as best she can and hope that somebody comes to rescue them.
When Tuesday McGillycuddy and her beloved dog Baxterr discover that Tuesday's mother--the famous author Serendipity Smith--has gone missing, they set out on a magical adventure. In their quest to find Serendipity, they discover the mysterious and unpredictable place that stories come from.
Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling (DRA 30)
A boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate.
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner (DRA 38)
Little Willie hopes to pay the back taxes on his grandfather's farm with the purse from a dog sled race he enters.
Honus and Me: A Baseball Card Adventure by Dan Gutman (DRA 40)
Joey, who loves baseball but is not very good at it, finds a valuable 1909 Honus Wagner card and travels back in time to meet Honus.
Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins (DRA 40)
Six stories relate the adventures of three best friends, Lumphy, a stuffed buffalo, Sting Ray, a stuffed stingray, and Plastic, a toy who happens to be in the midst of an identity crisis.
Stranger Next Door by Peg Kehret (DRA 50)
A clever cat's heroism helps two twelve-year-old boys become friends after their families, one of which is in a witness protection program, move to neighboring houses in Hilltop, Washington.
Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O’Connor (DRA 40)
In Fayette, South Carolina, the highlight of Popeye's summer is learning vocabulary words with his grandmother until a motor home gets stuck nearby and Elvis, the oldest boy living inside, joins Popeye in finding the source of strange boats floating down the creek.
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff (DRA 50)
Tells the tale of Rumpelstiltskin's childhood and youth, explaining why his name is so important, how he is able to spin straw into gold, and why a first-born child is his reward for helping the miller's daughter-turned-queen.
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli (DRA 40)
Suds learns that his best friend is wrong. You don't have to be a tough guy, a "rat," to be a grown up fourth grader.
I Survived the Eruption of Mount Saint Helens by Lauren Tarshis (DRA 40)
On May 18, 1980, eleven-year-old Jessie Marlowe and her best friends, Eddie and Sam, are in a forest near Mount St. Helens when the months of wondering whether the volcano will erupt are finally answered--all three are badly burned, but it is up to Jessie to protect the boys as best she can and hope that somebody comes to rescue them.