DC Battle of the Books

The BOB (Battle of the Books) is a district-wide reading motivation program based upon the current Three Stars nominated titles.  This program is sponsored by DCLA SLS (District of Columbia Library Association School Library Section).  Students in 4th-8th grades participate in this competition by simply reading the Three Stars titles listed on the DCLA SLS website and answering questions.   

DCLA SLS’s BOB mission is to encourage a culture of reading and introduce students to new and exciting titles that they might not normally read. We recognize that the in-person BOB competition is an annual event that staff and students enjoy and look forward to each year.  We hope to resume our in-person competition as funding and time allows.   

Battle of the Books 2025

Be on the lookout for information about the 2025 District-Wide Battle.  

 The coach from each participating school MUST be a member of DC Library Association.  If not a member, join today.

If you are interested in coaching a Battle of the Books team at your school, please fill out this form (linked) so you will continue to receive communications about the event. 

Reach out to the DCLA School Library Chair (school_lsc@dcla.org) with any questions. 

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2025 BOOK LIST

UPPER ELEMENTARY BOOKS

1. Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix. Published: September 19, 2023.
2. Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera. Published: August 29, 2023.
3. Finch House by Ciera Burch. Published: July 16, 2024.
4. Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz. Published: February 27, 2024.
5. The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat. Pub: Jan. 2, 2024.
6. The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans. Published: September 12, 2023.
7. Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang. Published: April 4, 2023.
8. Total Garbage: A Messy Dive into Trash, Waste, and Our World by Rebecca Donnelly, John Hendrix. Published: March 7, 2023.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOKS

1. Alex Wise vs. The End of the World by Terry J Benton-Walker. Pub: September 26, 2023.
2. Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasmine Mendez. Published: July 11, 2024.
3. Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dasnes. Published: September 19, 2023.
4. The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly. Published: March 5, 2024.
5. Mascot by Charles Waters & Traci Sorell. Published: September 5, 2023.
6. Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín. Published: August 1, 2023.
7. Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams. Published: April 23, 2024.
8. The Mona Lisa Vanishes: a Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nick Day. Published: September 5, 2023.
9. What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski. Published: January 10, 2023.
10. Where the Black Flowers Bloom by Ronald L. Smith. Published: January 31, 2023.

NEW! Flyers to promote BOB at your school

Upper Elementary BOB Flyer.pdf                Middle School BOB Flyer.pdf

2024 BOOK LIST

UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1. Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega (Author), Rose Bousamra (Illustrator). ISBN-13: 978-1250259639. Published: October 18, 2022
2. The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown. ISBN-13: 978-1338678895. Published: January 4, 2022
3. Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II by Lia Levi (Author), Jess Mason (Illustrator), Sylvia Adrian Notini (Translator). ISBN-13: 978-0063065086. Published: March 22, 2022
4. Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee. ISBN-13: 978-1984830272. Published: February 1, 2022
5. Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas. ISBN-13: 978-0063225138. Published: April 4, 2023
6. Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles. ISBN-13: 978-0593175217. Published: February 28, 2023
7. A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga. ISBN-13: 978-0063113923. Published: October 4, 2022
8. The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron. ISBN-13: 978-1547609772. Published: September 20, 2022

MIDDLE SCHOOL

1. Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff. ISBN-13: 978-0593111185. Published: April 12, 2022
2. The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander. ISBN-13: 978-0316441865. Published: September 27, 2022
3. Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson. ISBN-13: 978-0316056618. Published: February 1, 2022
4. Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo (Author), Andrea Pippins (Illustrator). ISBN-13: 978-0062931948. Published: May 3, 2022
5. Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Author), Alyssa Bermudez (Illustrator). ISBN-13: 978-0593563977. Published: September 13, 2022.
6. Miles Morales, Suspended by Jason Reynolds (Author), Zeke Peña (Illustrator). ISBN-13: 978-1665918466. Published: May 2, 2023.
7. School Trip by Jerry Craft. ISBN-13: 978-0062885531. Published: April 4, 2023
8. Undercover Latina by Aya de León. ISBN-13: 978-1536223743. Published: October 11, 2022

Practice with Our Previous Virtual Battle of the Books Questions

DC-area schools can participate in a Virtual Battle of the Books through Kahoot. In partnership with Junior League of Washington, questions were designed using titles from the Three Stars Book Award nominees from their respective years in the Upper Elementary and Middle School categories. Play at home or stage a virtual battle with students!

2023 Upper ES and Middle School Questions (160 questions)

2022 High School Battle of the Books (100 questions)

2022 Middle School Battle of the Books (80 questions)

2022 Upper Elementary Battle of the Books (80 questions)

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2021 Middle School Battle of the Books (100 questions)

2021 Upper Elementary Battle of the Books (80 questions)