Battle of the Books

Subject: Battle of the Books
Hello,
I am a Youth Services Librarian at the new Loma Colorado Library in Rio Rancho. I am writing to you as home learners, home schoolers, unschoolers, and any other title you prefer to use for your creative approaches to life with your children. I obtained your email addresses from the internet, including our library's page about local home-schooling resources. I hope you do not consider my email an intrusion, and that you share it with those you know who may have an interest. ( I home-schooled my daughter for 4 years so know some of the joys and challenges involved - I honor your choices!)

The Loma Colorado Library is acting as the "sponsor" for two teams for the Battle of the Books coming up on 21 April 2007. We have space for 3 more members for the Elementary level team, and 5 more members of the Mid-High team, as well as 3 "alternate" members for each team. I know many of you don't use grade levels, but can figure out where your kids would fit in if they are interested. The elementary level includes the traditional 4th and 5th grades - they also have an age requirement that the student be age 9 by September (so by Sept 2006 for this year's event). The mid-high team is for grade 6-9.

What is the Battle of the Books? It is an annual event at which students gather to compete, using their minds and memories. Questions are asked about books from the reading list, and teams attempt to answer by giving the correct title and author. Students are expected to read at least 10 of the books - the more they read the more fun the event is for them. I've included the reading list below, and you can also view the lists, rules, and more information at the website for the battle: www.nmbattleofthebooks.org

We will hold two practice sessions before the battle, so that the students won't be surprised by the rules of the event. The dates of the practices are April 7th & April 14th. I will call participants with a time as the dates approach. It is not important that we become a cohesive team, as students are assigned randomly to teams at the competition.

If you would like to sign up, or have questions, please call the Youth Services desk at 891-5013 x 3032. There are also opportunities for adults to volunteer at the event - please see the website for more information if you are interested.

Thank You,
Janet Phillips
Youth Services Librarian
Loma Colorado Library
755 Loma Colorado Drive NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
891-5013 x3032




Elementary Booklist 2007
Armstrong, Alan Whittington
Birdsall, Jeanne The Penderwicks
Birney, Betty The World According to Humphrey
Clements, Andrew The Report Card
Collins, Suzanne Gregor the Overlander
Creech, Sharon Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
DeFelice, Cynthia The Ghost of Cutler Creek
Fleischman, Sid Whipping Boy
Giovanni, Nikki Rosa
Gordon, Amy The Gorillas of Gill Park
Hannigan, Katherine Ida B: and Her Plans*
Harlow, Joan Hiatt Thunder From the Sea
Hillerman, Tony The Boy Who Made Dragonfly
Kehret, Peg Spy Cat
Martin, Ann The Meanest Doll in the World
O'Conner, Barbara Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia Ritter, John The Boy Who Saved Baseball
Rockwell, Anne They Called Her Molly Pitcher
Winkler, Henry Holy Enchilada!
Woodson, Jacqueline Show Way


Middle School Booklist 2007
Armstrong, Alan Whittington
Bartoletti, Susan Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow
Bauer, Joan Best Foot Forward
Bolden, Tonya Maritcha
Bruchac, Joseph Code Talker
Collins, Suzanne Gregor the Overlander
DuPrau, Jeanne City of Ember
Giff, Patricia Reilly A House of Tailors
Grant, Vicki Quid Pro Quo
Hale, Shannon Princess Academy
Ma, Yan The Diary of Ma Yan
Meyer, Carolyn Patience, Princess Catherine
O'Dell, Scott The King's Fifth
Paolini, Christopher Eldest
Peck, Richard The Teacher's Funeral
Perkins, Lynn Rae Criss Cross
Rawls, Wilson Where the Red Fern Grows
Ritter, John H. The Boy Who Saved Baseball
Ryan, Pam Muñoz Becoming Naomi León
Walker, Sally M. Secrets of a Civil War Submarine