Battle of the Books
Eighteen teams of 4 young adults competed in the 2010 Battle of the Books competition. The teens were asked to read four books and there were three rounds of questions for each book. We also were able to have two of the authors of the books produce a small video of introduction of themselves and their book and ask two questions! Over 75 family supporters came to watch and listen and encourage the participants. The room was filled, rice krispie bars and juice and water were devoured and a great time was had by all!
The teens were asked to read four books - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Teams were given one point for each correct answer to questions about each book. Nine teams were eliminated after the first round and six more after the second round. Scores were very close as these teens were vying for first place and a chance to win portable DVD players. The top three teams competed in the final round with the most difficult questions. After scores were tallied in the final round, the top team was determined to be the winners of the competition and the winners of the DVD players. The second team was only behind by one point!
All participants left with a $10.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble to encourage continued summer reading! Each participant was asked to fill out an evaluation form.
Event Dates and Locations:
Saturday, August 7, 2010; Bethany Lutheran College Sports and Fitness Center, Mankato, MN
Partner Organization(s):
Bethany Lutheran College
All Traverse des Sioux Library System member libraries
Authors - Catherine Murdock, and Laurie Halse Anderson
Barnes & Noble, Mankato
All media organizations in the nine county region.
Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program: Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) – The space was rented for a small fee, but BLC provided media equipment, technical help and custodial help.
All Traverse des Sioux Library System member libraries – Publicity and promotion and staff time for planning the event, and choosing and purchasing the titles.
Authors - Catherine Murdock, and Laurie Halse Anderson – Each produced a short video of themselves introducing themselves, welcoming the teens to the event, short introduction of their books and asking the first two questions.
Barnes & Noble, Mankato – We purchased the gift cards from Barnes & Noble and they helped publicize the event in the Mankato store.
Sam’s Club, Mankato – Donated a $25.00 gift card for refreshments
Margaret Alexander Edward’s Trust – Donated $2,000 for the purchase of books for each participant
Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation – Donated $1,650 to cover costs of incentive and other expenses
Media in the nine county region – Promotion of events
Teams participated from each of the TdS 9 counties.
18 teams of four young adults = 72 participants in 2010 versus 15 teams and 60 participants in 2009.
All 72 participants returned the evaluation card.
From the evaluations returned, 94% of the participants enjoyed the event.
68 of 72 reported having fun at the event.
56 of 72 reported they would do the event again next year, 13 said maybe and 3 said no.
70 participants offered book suggestions for 2011.
All 72 participants received a Barnes & Noble $10.00 gift card.
75 spectators watched the event
More library staff volunteered to help the day of the event – 10 in 2010 vs. 5 in 2009.
Assuming all participants read all four titles, participants had to use their reading comprehensive skills while reading the books to prepare for the competition.
Librarians reported teens checked out the read-a-like books from the list provided for provide for each of the selected books.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, post-test; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status
From the evaluation cards returned, listed below are a few outcomes/observations/anecdotal responses from audience participants. The attendees were young adults from ages 13 - 18, readers and library users with very short answers on the evaluation cards!
- I wish there were more book wars, several a year!
- Hoping for easier books to understand, but it was very fun!
- It was very much fun.
- Yes I enjoyed it, it made me think.
- I guess... I don't like getting up early.
- Oh, Yeah! :)
- I would have enjoyed it more if the tables were round so we can talk to our teammates easier.
- I wish I would have done this last year.