The Battle of the Books 2020-2021 season has been canceled due to COVID-19.
Stay tuned for updates on the 2021-2022 season!
For over 30 years, the Park Ridge Public Library has partnered with Park Ridge schools to offer fourth and fifth grade students a chance to test their knowledge of books.
Each spring, a new list of books is compiled by the Park Ridge Public Library children's librarians for the coming year. Titles cover a wide range of reading interests and abilities. Beginning in the 2020-2021 season, the list will consist of 40 books. No books will be carried over from the previous year.
Kids are encouraged to begin reading the books from the Battle booklist as soon as the list comes out. Summer is a great time to read Battle books since they can count for the Summer Reading Club!
Each school forms its own team under the guidance of a coach (a school librarian, teacher or parent) who decides the make-up of the team, schedules practice time, and sets the requirements for being part of that school's team.
The Library schedules and hosts the meets which begin the Monday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Meets are held on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 4:00p.m.-4:45p.m. and run for four weeks. (Please note: the meeting that would fall on President's Day is rescheduled to Tuesday, the day after the holiday.) The schedule is posted on the Library's website and sent to each school. Families are encouraged to attend the Battle meetings.
Meets consist of two rounds of 40 questions (80 total). Points are awarded for correct answers, but there is no penalty for incorrect answers. Every book will only be used once during each round (twice per meet) which allows each team a chance to answer 20 questions.
Four teams face off at each meet with up to five players per team per round allowing for the opportunity for up to 10 players to compete at each meet.
Details on a final event will be provided as soon as possible. At that event, winners will be announced and ribbons and certificates will be given. Plaques for 1st-3rd place are delivered to the winning teams' schools in the weeks following.
If you have any questions, please talk to your school librarian or call the Children's Department at (847) 720-3520.