• 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.

• 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
• 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.
• Two teams will compete during a single battle. Efforts will be made to assure teams can quietly discuss answers among themselves without fear of being overheard by the other competing team(s).
• A coin toss will be held before the start of each battle. The winning team decides where they want to sit. The team that sits on the left will be 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 Spokespersons.
• The Moderator/Reader will accept answers from only that Spokesperson; no other team member's answer shall be heard and 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 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 use the allotted time to quietly discuss the question among themselves. The team will have 15 seconds in which to discuss and answer the question. Only the first answer the Spokesperson gives will be acceptable--the team cannot use up the time left to guess other titles.
• 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.
• Discussion must stop as soon as time is called, the question must then be answered immediately.
• In the "In which book" questions, if the title is correct, the team is awarded 3 points. An additional 2 points shall be awarded for the correct author (both first and last names, as listed on the official OBOB book lists).
• If a team gives an incorrect title or author, the opposing team may pick up points for title (3 points), or author (2 points), or both. The question will be repeated to the "acquiring" team, which will then have 15 seconds in which to come up with their answer. NOTE: If the acquiring team does not answer correctly, play does NOT pass back to the other team.
• In the "open response" questions, 5 points are given for the correct answer.
• If a team gives an incorrect answer, the opposing team may pick up the points by answering correctly (5 points).
• Regardless of who scored what on the last 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, it will be allowed to complete it.
• At the end of a battle, the Moderator/Reader must allow 15 seconds for challenges to be articulated through the team's spokesperson only. 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. Correct titles and authors are those listed as they appear on the official OBOB book list. No points will be given for a partial title or if only the last name of the author is listed. 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.
• When time is called, discussion must stop.
• The official timer will announce only the end of the TWO minute time period.
• The challenging team should be able to provide exact reference to a page in the book so the judge can refer to the correct passage.
• 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 at least two questions are answered, 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 tiebreaker battle with the usual challenge time in effect.

• Moderator/Reader
• Reviews rules and expectations.
• Will read questions and run the Battle.
• If a question is misread at the regional or state competitions, a new question may be given.
• 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.
• 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.

• Do non-grant schools who participate in OBOB have to furnish a certain number of books to their students?
• No.
• 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.
• For the first two years only, schools may apply for book funding through the LSTA grant.
• 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
  
• 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 first year. Information is posted on our OASL and OBOB websites and on our OASL listserv. If you have questions, please contact us!

• 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.

• Please write 40-60 questions per book:
• 1/3 will be used at the local school level
• 1/3  will be used at the Regional level.
• 1/3  will be used at the State level.
• Begin half of the questions with, "In which book...", the other half will state the title and ask a specific content question.
• Open response questions should have a single answer.
• Try to limit questions to a maximum of twenty words each, including the words "In which book".
• When citing page #s, use the edition which is listed on the Official Title List. (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 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?"
• 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.
• Use the present tense in reference to the time of the story as much as possible (does/do or is/are).
• Avoid obvious questions.
• Do not use key words from the title.
• 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.)
• Try to cover:
• Significant events
• Character development
• Major themes
• Unique settings in time or place

• Do not number the questions. Numbering creates formatting problems when compiling the questions.
• Please do not use other colors than black and do not underline or highlight.
• Questions should be in a format that is easily copied into a database. The following format is acceptable:

Type out questions with a tab in between. The question would then read:
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 Grade 6-9

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

• Please proofread your work before you send it in. You will know more about that particular title than almost anyone else. Then have someone else proofread it for grammar, readability, etc.