About the IES Battle of the Books
Any Battle of the Books needs to start with...the books!!
Thirty-two books were selected, debated on and finally chosen by Theresa Gray and Michelle Helmer from the IES Team. Book titles came from the ELA Modules, personal reading favorites, the favorites of children in our families and a few "lists" that are published. The books span genres and include classics as well as newly published novels. They will make you laugh, make you think and some might make you cry. Coming up with the final 32 was not an easy task - and some favorites had to be left behind! (Someone please read The Omnivore's Dilemma and let Michelle know what you think!) We hope you enjoy the final list for the 2014 Battle of the Books.
Thirty-two books were selected, debated on and finally chosen by Theresa Gray and Michelle Helmer from the IES Team. Book titles came from the ELA Modules, personal reading favorites, the favorites of children in our families and a few "lists" that are published. The books span genres and include classics as well as newly published novels. They will make you laugh, make you think and some might make you cry. Coming up with the final 32 was not an easy task - and some favorites had to be left behind! (Someone please read The Omnivore's Dilemma and let Michelle know what you think!) We hope you enjoy the final list for the 2014 Battle of the Books.
Since any battle has a winner, we needed judges!!
Contacting the amazing educators we know and work with was the easy part! We shared our idea with our ELA Forum, Communities of Practice and personally recruited some "bookies" we know and respect to participate. You can read more about our judges here.
For each round, the judges will select their "winner" by sharing the title/author as well as their "claim" for why one book was better than the other - using supporting text based evidence of course. You will be able to read about the "winners" on the Battle Rounds Blog.
A little twist....
No one likes to see their favorite book voted out so we have included a Zombie Round. The two eliminated books that receive the most popular votes will rise from the dead for the Zombie Round to compete against the finalists. The two books that emerge from the Zombie Round will enter the Championship Round in which all 28 judges (plus one tie-breaker judge) will vote for their favorite book. The Championship Round book receiving the most votes will be declared the winner!
No one likes to see their favorite book voted out so we have included a Zombie Round. The two eliminated books that receive the most popular votes will rise from the dead for the Zombie Round to compete against the finalists. The two books that emerge from the Zombie Round will enter the Championship Round in which all 28 judges (plus one tie-breaker judge) will vote for their favorite book. The Championship Round book receiving the most votes will be declared the winner!
And now from the Peanut Gallery...
It is our fondest hope that the Battle of the Books will prompt discussions in classrooms everywhere as readers debate each round. The Peanut Gallery is an opportunity to get involved from the sidelines by sharing how you are following along with the battle and reading. To submit a blog post for consideration or to share how you are involved with the Battle of the Books, please contact either Theresa or Michelle.
It is our fondest hope that the Battle of the Books will prompt discussions in classrooms everywhere as readers debate each round. The Peanut Gallery is an opportunity to get involved from the sidelines by sharing how you are following along with the battle and reading. To submit a blog post for consideration or to share how you are involved with the Battle of the Books, please contact either Theresa or Michelle.