• All students participating must be in grades 3-5 or 6-9 for the current school year.
• Each team must have a sponsor from their school who is a school library media specialist, library paraprofessional or other school staff member.
• The composition of the team members may not change once the regional battles have started.
• The regional competition do not require participation in a district/county/ESD competition. The state battles require participation in the regional competitions.
• Each school may send only one team to the regional competition (grant recipients must attend the regional competitions) and each region may send their top two teams to the state competition.
• Teams are usually made up of four members with one optional alternate, for a total of five members.
• There may be only one alternate. This alternate may take the place of a player for a battle. When the alternate is used, the alternate must remain in competition for the entire battle. No other substitutions may be made.
• No other person may assist in answering any question directed to a team, including the team’s coach. The judge will disqualify a team determined to be receiving outside help.
• In the event of a situation that is not specifically addressed in the OBOB rules, the decision of the judges is final.
• The OBOB Committee has the authority to refuse to allow a team to participate in the event of un-sportsmanlike behavior or other extenuating circumstances.

• Prepare the teams by reviewing procedures and rules.
• Conduct practice battles which follow OBOB protocol.
• Encourage and moderate discussions about the books.
• Direct teams in writing their own practice questions if additional questions are desired.
• Offer moral support to teams during Battles without actually offering any input to help them with their answers.
• Must secure adult supervision for the team at all regional and state competitions.
• Reinforce that the focus of this program is to celebrate the love of reading and promote good sportsmanship for both teams and spectators.
• Must bring sets of books to regional and state competition.

• The following must be available for each battle:
• A packet of OBOB questions
• A copy of each of the OBOB Battle Books
• A copy of the Official Book List
• A copy of the Official Handbook
• A coin for the coin toss
• Sufficient score sheets
• A stopwatch and clipboard
• There will be 16 questions at Local, Regional & State battles (8 “In which book” and 8 “Content”). The final match at Regional and State battles will consist of 32 questions.
• Competitions begin with a round robin pool with the top scoring teams going into a single elimination tournament. All teams play at least twice.
• Each team will bring a set of the OBOB books and hand them to the Moderator/Reader when they enter the room of the competition.
• Teams are usually made up of four members with one optional alternate, for a total of five members. Of the four competing members, one will serve as the spokesperson throughout each battle. Alternate members will sit in a designated area during battles.
• Two teams will compete during a single battle. A coin toss will be held before the start of each battle. The winning team decides where they want to sit. Efforts will be made to ensure teams can quietly discuss answers among themselves without fear of being overheard by the other competing team(s).
• The team that sits on the left OF THE MODERATOR will always be given first chance at the odd numbered questions, and the team on the right will always be given first chance at the even questions.
• The Moderator/Reader will review the rules with the participating teams and find out who is serving as the spokesperson for each team. Answers will be accepted only from that spokesperson; no other team member's answer shall be heard or recorded during that battle.
• The "odd" team (on the Moderator/Reader's left) will go first and be read question number one.
• The Moderator/Reader will shuffle the question cards, The Moderator/Reader will ask a question, prefacing the question with the name of the team it is directed to. Timing starts immediately after the question has been read for the first time. Teams will have 15 seconds to quietly discuss the question among themselves. Only the first answer the spokesperson gives will be accepted--the team cannot use up the time left to guess other answers.
• Discussion must stop as soon as time is called and the question must be answered immediately. If the spokesperson doesn’t immediately begin to answer, the moderator turns to the other team and reads the question to them.
• During battle, a team’s spokesperson may request a repeat of a question. All repeats must take place within the time limit, which starts after the question is read for the first time.
• In which Book questions will be read first. Three points will be awarded for the correct title and 2 points for the correct author. Book titles and authors must be stated as listed on the official OBOB book lists and website.
• In Content questions, 5 points are given for the complete answer. Designated two-part questions will be scored with 3 points for the first answer given and 2 points for the second answer given.
• If a team gives an incorrect or incomplete answer, the question will be repeated to the opposing team. That team will have 15 seconds to discuss their answer. NOTE: If the “acquiring” team does not answer correctly, play does NOT pass back to the other team.
• Regardless of who scored on the previous question, even-numbered questions will be read to the even team, and odd-numbered questions will be read to the odd team. This means that an "acquiring" team will get to answer two questions in a row--the one it acquired, followed by their own.
• If a team has begun its response before time is called, they will be allowed to complete their response.
• If a question is being read and the spokesperson interrupts the reader, that team must answer the question immediately.
• At the end of a battle, the Moderator/Reader announces and allows 15 seconds for challenges to be articulated through the team's spokesperson only. The teams are each limited to one challenge per round. If there are no challenges, the final score will be announced and a winner will be declared. The battle will be considered complete and no further challenges will be entertained. The teams will be sent on to their next battle.
• An answer is considered correct even if mispronounced, as long as the judge can discern it.
• Multiple questions may appear on certain titles and some titles may not be asked about at all.
• Teams may not use a title/author list or any notes.
• In the event of a CHALLENGE, this procedure will be followed:
• The challenging team will have TWO minutes to find and mark the page numbers (with a post-it note) where the answer can be found in the book they named.
• The timekeeper will begin timing after the Moderator/Reader recognizes the challenge and copies of the book are given to the challenging team.
• The official timer will announce the end of the TWO minute time period and discussion must stop. (no countdown)
• The challenging team’s spokesperson will show the judge the exact wording that supports their challenge.
• The judge determines whether the challenge is successful or not. An answer may be considered correct by way of inference. If the judge accepts the challenge as successful, and the other conditions for gaining a score were fulfilled, the points shall be awarded and the scores amended.
• The judge's decision is final.
• At the regional and state competitions, a tiebreaker battle may be played to break a tie between two or more teams. The tiebreaker rules are the same as above. As soon as one team has more points after an even number of questions have been read, that team is declared the winner. If the score is still tied after 10 tiebreaker questions, the official may call a tie. Challenges ARE allowed at the end of a tiebreaker battle with the usual challenge time in effect.

• Moderator/Reader
• Reviews rules and expectations.
• Runs battle, reading questions and consistently using answers on the cards.
• If a question is misread at the regional or state competitions, a new question may be given.
• Will supervise behavior of participants and spectators.
• At the end of a battle, the Moderator/Reader will ask the scorekeeper to verify the final score with the Judge and then take it to the OBOB official in charge.
• Spectators whose behavior is a distraction or inappropriate may be asked to leave the room. When battles are in progress no one enters the room.
• During battles all electronic devices including video cameras must be off.
• Scorekeeper
• Will keep the official score on a visual projection device or chalk/whiteboard, in a way which is visible to the audience.
• Timekeeper
• Oversees coin toss.
• Will use a stopwatch and indicate when specific time periods have expired.
• Judge
• Will determine if the correct answer has been given within the prescribed time limit.
• Keeps a paper copy of the scores.
• Will make certain no help on answers to the questions is given by others outside the team.
• Will hear any complaint issued in an approved manner, confer with any and all appropriate officials, and render judgment on the matter.
• Once the judge's decision is stated, the battle shall resume.
• The judge’s decision shall be final.

• How does a student participate?
• A student participates by reading from the book list provided for that year's Oregon Battle of the Books and discussing those titles and competing in battles with their teammates.
• Where do the students get the books?
• School libraries should have copies of each book on the list. Public libraries and local  book stores will also be apprised of the titles and will most likely have them available.
• When do the students read the books?
• The school battles should be completed by the end of February. Reading through the summer is completely optional, but available to students. Students should have plenty of time to read the books during the school year.
• What Is a "Battle?"
• A typical "Battle" is a tournament or game, somewhat like Jeopardy, in which students' teams earn points by answering questions about the books on the book list.
• Can we change our district team after the district battle? Can we add or change members?
• Your 5 member team, (4 members and alternate) may not change after the names have been sent in to the Regional Coordinator as listed on the OBOB website.
• Team names need to be submitted to the regional coordinator two weeks prior to regional competition.
• When is it OK for alternates to participate in the regional/state level competition?
• An alternate may only replace a team member between Battles, never during a battle.
• Players may not be substituted once a Battle has begun EXCEPT in the event of an illness or emergency.
• Do students have to read all the books?
• No. Most students read only about half of the books. There are a few readers who complete the whole list, but there are some who might only be able to read five of the books.
• Do I need other schools to have a battle or can I just have only one at my school?
• It is best to start small. The first time you conduct a battle, we recommend that you do it alone at your school site. However, it is always good to have other schools in your district or in your area conduct their own battles.
• How do I get started?
• A place to start is by joining OASL (go to our website: www.oasl.info)! Have your school purchase books from the book list and develop an in-house reading incentive system to encourage students to read these books. Request questions for your competition (via our website) and begin to find sponsors and helpers to support and conduct your local battle at your site or region.
• May I use the OBOB  logo?
• The logo is available for any Oregon Battle of the Books promotional activity, with the proviso that the Oregon Association of School Libraries must be given credit for their sponsorship.
• Should the logo be used by any commercial entity, the sponsorship credit must be printed somewhere on the same page on which the logo is used.
• Who else is participating in Oregon?
• Participants are listed on the OBOB website.
• Who can I contact to get help with how to get started and answer many of my questions?
• You can call one of the OBOB participants in your area.
• Do we need to have awards for the winning teams?
• We suggest that you find ways to honor all participants.
• Why didn't I hear about this sooner?
• The OBOB committee has disseminated information as quickly as possible in this, our second year. Information is posted on our OASL OBOB website,on our OBOB WIKI, and on our OASL listserv. If you have questions, please contact us!
  http://www.oasl.info/OBOB/

• Number of titles:
• 16 titles
• Grade level/reading level:
• Balanced grade / reading level.
• Interest level:
• Consider a variety of subject areas, plots, settings and styles.
• Balanced in interest for boys and girls.
• List must include a variety of genres, including realistic fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, multicultural, and Oregon represented in some way.
• Quality of the books:
• Select high quality, well-reviewed, age-appropriate titles.
• Award winners such as the Newbery, Young Readers Choice, etc., will be considered.
• Books on previous lists:
• Titles may have been used as OBOB titles previously.
• However, titles must not be repeated within at least four years of being on the list.
• Availability of titles:
• Books should be currently available in paperback format whenever possible.
• Intellectual freedom:
• In accordance with the Library Bill of Rights and its interpretations, titles that otherwise meet the selection criteria will not be excluded:
• "because of the origin, background or views of those contributing to their creation," or
• "because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval;" or
• "because of actual or suspected parental objections" or
• "in an effort to avoid controversy with parents."
• Other considerations:
• It must be kept in mind that the Oregon Battle of the Books is not meant to be a required program in the schools. A child's participation is voluntary. This being the case, it should be expected that different criteria are used for the selection of these titles than those used in selecting materials for required activities in individual school districts.

• Prepare for writing questions by first reading the books on the list. Reread the book to write the questions. It is important to consider the other books on the list when writing questions to avoid conflicts, so reading all the other books on the list will be important.
• Please write 50 questions of each type of question per book (no more or less):
• Approx. 27 will be used at the School (10-12) &/or District (15-17) level (Local - December & District January - February)
• Approx.13 will be used at the Regional level. (February & March)
• Approx. 10 will be used at the State level. (April)
• Half of the questions will begin with, "In which book...” The other half will state the title and ask a specific content question. Similar questions will be used in alternate competitions.
• All questions are written in present tense (does/do or is/are).
• For IWB questions, avoid indicating the gender of the character if possible. Do not use the he/she pronoun, instead, reword the sentence (i.e. "In which book does a character ride a horse?" or "... is a horse ridden by its owner?"
• For IWB questions, do not use key words from the title within the questions.
• Content questions should have a single answer. Do not start the question with the word “Why” or “How” as those questions elicit a more open and varied response that becomes difficult to judge.
• Answers to Content Questions should be concise and include acceptable variations of wording with the word “OR” (in caps) included to make it clear to the reader that any of the stated answers is acceptable. Do not write the answers in full sentences. Keyword answers are needed.
• In writing Content Questions, if the answer is to be a person, the question should be framed so that a name is the answer, i.e. “What is the name of the character who climbed the mountain?” List the appropriate answers – “John Smith” OR “John” OR “Mr. Smith” (do not add the quotation marks). All of those answers should be acceptable, so they should be written in to the answer column.
• Two-part Content Questions should start with the phrase: “2 part question:“ Two-part questions will be scored separately. The first answer given will be worth 3 points and the second part will be worth 2 points. Write the variations of acceptable answers in keyword format with the connecting word “AND” between the two answers.
• Make the question as direct as possible using archaic and unique words only when they appear in the book and are necessary to the clarity of the question. Do not use the word “protagonist”. “character” or “main character” works better for this competition.
• Limit questions to a maximum of twenty words each, including the words "In which book.”
• Cite a page number for each question. Simply enter the page number into the appropriate column. Do not add “p.” or a # symbol. Some questions may not have a page number as the answer may come from the whole book, a chapter, foreword, etc. Those questions should be identified with the appropriate section. (It is vital that the answer can be verified in the event of a challenge.)
• Use correct grammar. It is not acceptable to say, "In which book does a character ride their horse?"
• Avoid obvious questions.
• Avoid questions whose answers might easily be found in more than one book.
• Use direct quotes only when they are an integral part of the story - for example, a phrase repeated throughout the book.
• If direct quotes are used, make sure they are unedited!
• Try to avoid "killer" questions. (These are questions that require a photographic memory.)
• Use significant events, character development, major themes, and unique settings in time or place.

Submitting the Questions

You will be given a template in Excel to submit your questions to the committee. Put both question formats on the same document but place in separate lists. Write 50 questions in each format.

For “In which book” questions, write the question first, and then fill in the page number.
For example:

The question committee will determine what level of battle the question will be used. After the final formatting, a typical question will be printed on a card to look like this:

Grade 6-9 REGIONAL 2009 Oregon Battle of the Books

In which book does a couple celebrate their honeymoon by driving around a grandstand track several times?
Journey to Topaz by Yoshiko Uchida
p. 68

For Content questions:

Type out the question, the page number of the answer, and the answer(s) to the question. The reader will start out each content question with the title of the book. You should not insert the title into the beginning of the question. The question would then read:

The question committee will determine what level of battle the question will be used. After the final formatting, a typical question will look like this:

Grade 3-5 LOCAL 2007 Oregon Battle of the Books

Title - Becoming Naomi Leon
Question:
What did Gram call the Airstream trailer?
Answer:
Baby Beluga
p. 3
Author - Pam Munoz Ryan

Please proofread your work before you send it in. Have someone else proofread it for grammar, readability, etc.

Email your attachment to the Question Committee Chair:

The questions should be kept confidential at all times to protect the integrity of this program.

These sample questions are examples of appropriate wording for question writers. Both “in which book” and content questions may be written for the same portions of a book as is shown below. Questions in the competition will include additional information from the book on each card. That information will be inserted by the Question Committee. For more specific information, see the formatting description in the OBOB handbook and the card samples in the Appendix.