We are the only elementary school in Johnston County that has participated every single year since JCS first began holding the Elementary Battle of the Books competitions in the Spring of 2011. We placed third in 2011, we won in 2012, we placed third in 2013, and we won in 2014.
We won the Region 3 competition in 2012, and we placed second, just behind Durham County in the Region 3 competition in 2014.
Team members read books from a state list, which includes 15 titles, chosen by the North Carolina School Library Association. The book list changes each year.
During the competition, 6 team members compete against 6 members from an opposing team by answering questions about the books. Questions always begin with “In which book…” and students must give the correct title, worth 2 points, and the correct author, worth 1 point. If a team answers incorrectly, the question is redirected to the other team. Each game consists of 8-12 questions. Each team plays every other team one time. Points are cumulative to the end of the competition where the team with the most points is declared the winner.
At Selma Elementary, students who are interested in being on our team must try out during the first nine weeks of the school year. During tryouts, students read one book from the list and then take a quiz on the book. Students who score the highest on the quiz move on to the second round of tryouts where they are quizzed on more than one book, and also judged on personal characteristics such as the ability to work well with others, pay attention, and speak up in front of an audience. Students must have a positive recommendation from their teacher. Once the twelve team members are chosen, they begin reading the books, studying comprehension folders, and practicing every week.
Team members are expected to maintain good grades, not have any behavior issues in their classroom or on the bus, and have good attendance. They sign a contract when they are chosen to be on the team, and are expected to be a positive role model in our school.
The school provides copies of the books for team members to read, so we are always looking for sponsors who would like to donate money to purchase the books. Donations may be made in honor of or in memory of people and are tax-deductible. We purchase print copies typically, but we are beginning to use ebooks on Nooks and iPads more each year. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can contact me via email at letawoodall@johnston.k12.nc.us or call the school at 919-965-3361.
We hope one day they will have a State level competition for the elementary winners like they do for middle schools.

North Carolina's Battle of the Books can be traced back to a public radio program in Chicago in the 1940s originated by Ruth Harshaw. Librarians exposed to the original show reconstructed the game to encourage reading today.

Michael Leonard, an Illinois native, first introduced the contest in Onslow County when he accepted the position of Children's Librarian for the Onslow County Public Library. His rationale for placing it at the sixth grade level was the dearth of activities in the public library and in the public schools for this aged child. In 1981, Onslow County Public Library sponsored the first North Carolina Battle of the Books contest for sixth graders.

The North Carolina Association of School Librarians assumed sponsorship of Battle of the Books in 1991. In 2000, the North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA) became a sponsor of Battle of the Books, and independent schools became a region for competition. The formation of an Elementary Battle of the Books committee began in 2010. At the current time, there will only be local and regional battles.

The purpose of the Elementary Battle of the Books program is to encourage reading by all students at the elementary school level.
Each team consists of up to 12 members who are in 4th and 5th grades.

Selma Elementary School

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Selma Elementary Media Center

Battle of the Books

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