Battle of the Books is a program designed to encourage reading and to give recognition to those who like to read. Team members read from a selected list of books and then participate in a battle where they compete with other teams by answering questions based on the books.
Prizes this year are Barnes & Noble gift cards and are given to the first, second, and third place winners of the questioning round, as well as to the three teams with the best costumes.
Thank you to the Farmington Friends of the Library for sponsoring this great program!
This year's Battle will occur on Friday, April 11, at 7 pm at the Costick Activities Center.
2025 Battle of the Books Flyer
2025 Battle Book List
Check out copies of the Battle books from the Teen Scene area at either FCL location. Battle books cannot be place on hold through our online catalog.
See the list of books for this year's Battle below:
Realistic fiction, humorous, mystery; 352 pages; ISBN: 9780062798909
As the son of the world’s most famous tech billionaire, spoiled Jett Baranov has always gotten what he wanted. So when his father’s private jet drops him in the middle of the Arkansas wilderness, at a place called the Oasis, Jett can’t believe it. He’s forced to hand over his cell phone, eat grainy veggie patties, and participate in wholesome activities with the other kids, who he has absolutely no interest in hanging out with. As the weeks go on, Jett starts to get used to the unplugged life and even bonds with the other kids over their discovery of a baby-lizard-turned-pet, Needles. But he can’t help noticing that the adults at the Oasis are acting really strange. Jett is determined to get to the bottom of things, but can he convince everybody that he is no longer just a spoiled brat who is making trouble?
Science-fiction, adventure; 320 pages; ISBN: 9780063113930
Meet Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name. Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop human-like feelings. Maybe there's a problem with his programming....
Human emotions or not, launch day comes, and Res blasts off to Mars, accompanied by a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. But Res quickly discovers that Mars is a dangerous place filled with dust storms and giant cliffs. As he navigates Mars's difficult landscape, Res is tested in ways that go beyond space exploration.
Fantasy, paranormal, ghosts; 272 pages; ISBN: 9781338280135
For Lucely Luna, ghosts are more than just the family business. Shortly before Halloween, Lucely and her best friend, Syd, cast a spell that accidentally awakens malicious spirits, wreaking havoc throughout St. Augustine. Together, they must join forces with Syd's witch grandmother, Babette, and her tubby tabby, Chunk, to fight the haunting head-on and reverse the curse to save the town and Lucely's firefly spirits before it's too late.
Graphic novel, fantasy, mythology; 456 pages; ISBN: 9780593525289
Anzu has just moved to a new town during Obon, a time for families to remember and celebrate their ancestors. Ever since her obaachan died, though, Obon has lost its magic. She doesn't feel much like celebrating anymore. While avoiding holiday festivities, Anzu spots a stray dog down the street. But when she chases after it, she slips and falls down a ridge, losing consciousness. When she awakes, she’s in the Shinto underworld known as Yomi, a place she’s only heard about in Obaachan’s stories. The stray dog, she finds out, is actually the Gatekeeper of Yomi, and he warns her to return to the human realm before it’s too late.
Only, getting home is not as simple as she’d thought. Faced with the nefarious Queen Izanami of Yomi and a world full of creatures she’d once thought weren’t real, the race against the clock is on. She must break a curse, free the spirits of other lost children, and reach the gate home before sunrise…or be stuck in Yomi forever.
Battle Information
Who May Participate?
All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who live or attend school (public, private, or home) in Farmington or Farmington Hills are eligible to participate in the Battle of the Books. Each team must consist of three to six members, an adult team manager, and have a team name. A student may only be on one team. Members of teams need not be all from the same school. Students unable to gather a complete team should contact their teacher or school media aide.
What Does a Team Manager Do?
The Team Manager may be a parent, teacher, relative, or anyone over 18 who will serve as the contact person between the team and the Farmington Community Library. The Team Manager is responsible for filling out the online form and keeping the team members motivated. The manager should help the team plan a team costume (nothing expensive — be creative) and arrange team transportation to and from the Costick Community Center on the night of the Battle Question Round. The Team Manager will monitor another team during the Battle Question Round. In addition, the Team Manager encourages the kids to have FUN with the program.
How Does a Team Register?
Registration for Battle opens February 3 and closes March 28 at 6 p.m. The Battle itself takes place on Friday, April 11, 7-9 p.m. Fill out the registration form found using the button below.
Battle of the Books Registration
What are the Battle Rules?
After the moderator reads the question, each team will have time to confer and decide on an answer to the question. The team captain will write the answer on a pad furnished for each team. Answers must be complete and specific. Points are given for correct answers (4 points for a correct answer, plus one point for the correct last name of the author). Using notes or flipping through books is not permitted.
Up to sixty (60) teams will participate in the Battle at the Costick Center. Each team will be seated at a table.
The members of the winning team(s) will receive a prize, and the members of the first-place team will also have their names engraved on a plaque to be placed in the Library as well as in their school media center(s).
Costumes!
Every year sees a truly amazing display of creative, fun, and clever costuming. Costumes should be related to the team’s name and should not be expensive – use items already at home or purchase dollar store accessories, for example. Costume judging will be based on the creativity of the team’s costumes. Small prizes will be awarded to the three teams with the best costumes.