Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books – Summer 2024
What is it?
Battle of the Books is a trivia bowl style competition for teens entering 6th through 12th grade. Trivia questions are based on the preselected books that participants will read and discuss as a team throughout the summer. At the end of the summer (August 25th) the Newburgh Free Library’s Battle of the Books team will compete against teams from other libraries in the Ramapo Catskill Library System in a regional battle at SUNY Orange in Middletown.
The goal of the program is to promote a love of reading in teens, to expose them to titles and authors that they might not encounter otherwise, to encourage them to think of their local public library as a resource for entertainment, and to inspire teamwork and good sportsmanship in an atmosphere of friendly competition. The titles for the program are chosen in advanced by librarians throughout our system. The titles for the 2024 Battle are:
Battle of the Books Meetings:
We’ll meet throughout the summer to discuss each book and practice answering questions in the battle style format. If you can’t make every single meeting, it’s ok! Just do your best to keep up with the reading throughout the summer and be prepared for the battle in late August.
Book discussion and practice meetings will be Mondays July 8th through August 19th & Thursday August 22nd from 4-5 p.m. at the Newburgh Free Library. See details for each meeting below. Read each book listed before the meeting!
7/8 – Discussion of Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
7/15 – Discussion of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
7/22 – Discussion of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
7/29 – Discussion of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
8/5– Discussion of The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum
8/12 – Discussion of Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan
8/19 – Discussion of Victory, Stand! by Tommie Smith; Derrick Barnes; Dawud Anyabwile
8/22 – Discussion of The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
Sunday August 25th 12-4 p.m. – Battle! @ SUNY Orange Middletown Campus
Regional Battle: @ SUNY Orange Middletown Campus – Sunday August 25th from 12-4 p.m.
How do I join Newburgh’s team?
Please complete the form linked above to join our team! The deadline to commit is June 24th. If you have any questions about this program, please do not hesitate to email Sioban, Teen Librarian and Battle of the Books coach: ssedney@rcls.org. Students are encouraged to email on their own, but parents & guardians are welcome to communicate as well.
How do I get the books?
The first 8 people to complete commitment forms will receive a copy of each book to keep. After that, participants can borrow all books from the library in print or e-book versions. Use the catalog to place a hold on the title(s) you’re looking for. If you need help, please call the library for assistance: 845-563-3600.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Q: Can I read the books without attending the battle?
A: Yes! You can read the books and attend our discussion meetings just to chat. However, we’d love for you to participate in the regional battle!
Q: Do I have to attend every single meeting?
A: No! We understand that you may have other commitments some weeks or you may be going on vacation this summer. As long as you keep up with reading, let your coach know when you’ll be missing a meeting, and can attend the regional battle at SUNY Orange Middletown in August, you’re good to go!