Author: Margaret Sullivan Brannon

2018-2019 BOB Reading List
At the Bottom of the World by Bill Nye & Gregory Mone. Traveling to Antarctica for a prestigious science competition, twelve-year-old Jack and his genius foster siblings, Ava and Matt, become caught up in a mystery involving a missing scientist.
Ban This Book by Alan Gratz. Amy Anne is shy and soft-spoken, but don't mess with her when it comes to her favorite book in the whole world. Amy Anne and her lieutenants wage a battle for the books that will make you laugh and pump your fists as they start a secret banned books locker library, make up ridiculous reasons to ban every single book in the library to make a point, and take a stand against censorship.
Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan. When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father.
Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone. Traveling to the New World in 1606 as the page to Captain John Smith, twelve-year-old orphan Samuel Collier settles in the new colony of James Town, where he must quickly learn to distinguish between friend and foe.
Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix. When thirteen-year-olds Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, full of babies with no adults on board, they realize that they have uncovered a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces, each trying to repair the fabric of time.
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm. Ellie's scientist grandfather has discovered a way to reverse aging, and consequently has turned into a teenager--which makes for complicated relationships when he moves in with Ellie and her mother, his daughter.
How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor. Living in the family car in their small North Carolina town after their father leaves them virtually penniless, Georgina, desperate to improve their situation and unwilling to accept her overworked mother's calls for patience, persuades her younger brother to help her in an elaborate scheme to get money by stealing a dog and then claiming the reward that the owners are bound to offer.
The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn. Tired of the rules that have bound them ever since "the bad thing happened," twelve-year-old Diana ignores her brother's warnings and befriends the daughter of the new caretaker, setting in motion events that lead to the release of the spirit of an evil, crazy woman who once ruled the old Willis place.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin. Struggling with Asperger's syndrome, Rose shares a bond with her beloved dog, but when the dog goes missing during a storm, Rose is forced to confront the limits of her comfort levels , even if it means leaving her routines in order to search for her pet.
Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech. Thirteen-year-old fraternal twins Dallas and Florida have grown up in a terrible orphanage but their lives change forever when an eccentric but sweet older couple invites them each on an adventure, beginning in an almost magical place called Ruby Holler.
Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret. Thirteen-year-old Sunny, accompanied by a stray dog, takes advantage of a monetary windfall to travel from her Nebraska foster home to Enumclaw, Washington in order to find the twin sister from whom she was separated at age three.
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan. Recent immigrant Ravi and lifelong U.S. resident Joe become friends the first week of fifth grade when they are brought together by a common enemy, the biggest bully in school, and a shared need to take control of their lives.
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. The Pickles are new to Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, a town which legend says was once magic--but Felicity is convinced the magic is still there, and with the help of her new friend Jonah the Beedle she hopes to bring the magic back.
Stella by Starlight by Sharan M. Draper. When a burning cross set by the Klan causes panic and fear in 1932 Bumblebee, North Carolina, fifth-grader Stella must face prejudice and find the strength to demand change in her segregated town.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. Meg Murry, her brother Charles, and their friend Calvin, embark on a journey through space and time, assisted by three otherworldly women, when they set out to find Meg's father, a physicist who disappeared while experimenting with time travel.

Marie Glover
Media Specialist-Library Teacher
Phone: 336-6980144
E-mail: gloverm@gcsnc.com

Elementary Battle
of the
Books

Open to Rising 4th and 5th Graders

McLeansville Elementary
2018-2019

What is
Battle
of the
Books?

Battle of the Books is a quiz bowl style competition sponsored by The North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA) and held locally by Guilford County Schools Department of Library Media Services.
Students across the state read books from a list selected by NCSLMA. In March, Guilford County Schools holds a district-wide competition where students answer specific, detailed questions about the books.
Battle of the Books is open to all students in grades 4 and 5.
Details and regulations are available at ncslma.org/ebob.

How do I get to participate in BOB?
Participation in the after school reading club is open to all 4th and 5th grade students.
ONLY 12 students can be chosen to go to the competition in March. Students will have ways to earn points to qualify for the team. The final team will be decided by January 2019 based on accrued points.
When are meetings?
Meetings are held on Mondays after school until 3:30. Students need to be picked up. We do not provide transportation.
How do I increase my chances of being on the BOB team?
The questions at the EBOB competition are very detailed and specific. The best way to prepare for the competition is to read as many books as you can of the 15 assigned books. Getting started over the summer break is HIGHLY recommended. Complete a “project” for each book you read to get extra points. All team members must maintain an A/B average and cannot have behavior referrals to remain on the team and compete in the BOB Competition. Points are given for attending the meetings.

The main purpose of Battle of the Books is to encourage students to read high-quality novels in different genres. Students enjoy socializing with other readers and usually report feeling like they have expanded their vocabulary. through the assigned reading.