Battle of the Books is a program designed to encourage reading and to give recognition to those who like to read. Team members read from a selected list of books and then participate in a battle where they compete with other teams by answering questions based on the books. Prizes are given to the first, second, and third place winners of the questioning round, as well as to the three teams with the best costumes.
Thank you to the Farmington Friends of the Library for sponsoring this great program!
And thank you to Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum for sponsoring the costume contest prizes!
This year's Battle was on Monday, April 15, at 7 pm at the William Costick Activities Center. Thank you to everyone who participated, helped make this year's Battle possible, or just came to cheer on all of the teams!
Photos will be available on Facebook.
2024 Winners
Questioning Round Winners:
First Place: Fellowship of the Readers
Second Place: The Elemental Dragons
Third Place: Read It Ralph
Costume Winners:
First Place: Tax Frauds
Second Place: Rock N’ Rollers
Third Place: Fellowship of the Readers
2024 Battle Rankings Alphabetical
Battle Information
Who May Participate?
All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who live or attend school (public, private, or home) in Farmington or Farmington Hills are eligible to participate in the Battle of the Books. Each team must consist of four to six members, an adult team manager, and have a team name. A student may only be on one team. Members of teams need not be all from the same school. Students unable to gather a complete team should contact their teacher or school media aide.
What Does a Team Manager Do?
The Team Manager may be a parent, teacher, relative, or anyone over 18 who will serve as the contact person between the team and the Farmington Community Library. The Team Manager is responsible for filling out the online form and keeping the team members motivated. The manager should help the team plan a team costume (nothing expensive — be creative), and arrange team transportation to and from the Costick Community Center on the night of the Battle Question Round. The Team Manager will monitor another team during the Battle Question Round. In addition, the Team Manager encourages the kids to have FUN with the program.
How Does a Team Register?
Registration for Battle usually opens at the beginning of February each year and closes in March. The Battle itself takes place on a Monday in April. Check this page in January for specific information and registration dates for the 2024 Battle.
What is the Procedure for the Battle?
After the moderator reads the question, each team will have time to confer and decide on an answer to the question. The team captain will write the answer on a pad furnished for each team. Answers must be complete and specific. Points are given for correct answers (4 points for a correct answer, plus one point for the correct last name of the author). Using notes or flipping through books is not permitted.
Up to sixty (60) teams will participate in the Battle at the Costick Center. Each team will be seated at a table.
The members of the winning team(s) will receive a prize, and the members of the first place team will also have their names engraved on a plaque to be placed in the Library as well as in their school media center(s).
Costumes!
Every year sees a truly amazing display of creative, fun, and clever costuming. Costumes should be related to the team’s name, and should not be expensive – use items already at home or purchase dollar store accessories, for example. Costume judging will be based on the creativity of the team’s costumes. Small prizes will be awarded to the three teams with the best costumes.