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.  

Battle of the Books 2025 Winners!

Thank you to all participating students, librarians, and schools that make our DCLA Battle of the Books events possible! We hosted two successful virtual Battles this spring.  We'd like to congratulate the following Battle of the Books champions. To receive details about 2026 events, make sure you remain an active DCLA member. Hope to see you back next year! 

Upper Elementary Battle 

1^st Place: Stoddert

2^nd Place: Shepherd

3^rd Place: School-Within-School

Middle School Battle

1^st Place: Deal

2^nd Place: Eliot-Hine

3^rd Place: Deal

Is your school planning to participate in this year's Battle of the Books? You can get a head start on next year's books from the list of Three Stars Awards Nominees for 2026!

Join DCLA today and don't miss any updates on the 2026 season!

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

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Battle of the Books Chair, Carson Everett (dclabotbchair@dcla.org) and the DCLA School Library Chair, Ashleigh Rose (school_lsc@dcla.org)

NEW! Flyers to promote 2025 BOB at your school

Upper Elementary Flyer               Middle School Flyer

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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 Martiìn. 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.

Practice with Our Previous Virtual Battle of the Books Questions

DC 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 or in-person battle with students!

2024 Upper Elementary Battle of the Books (80 Questions)

2024 Middle School Battle of the Books (80 Questions)

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)

2021 Middle School Battle of the Books (100 questions)

2021 Upper Elementary Battle of the Books (80 questions)