Prepare Your Team

When teams are well-prepared, there’s always plenty of edge-of-your-seat excitement!

While the students do most of the preparation—reading books and learning authors—the coach helps direct and encourage the students. Coaches can be teachers, parent volunteers, or even older students.

Reading Preparation

All books on the booklists will be used for Battle of the Books 2026. All Junior Battle questions are based on the books on the Junior Book List. Similarly, all Senior Battle questions are based on the books on the Senior Book List.

• Battle of the Books 2025 Junior List COMING SOON
• Battle of the Books 2025 Senior List COMING SOON

Books are organized into six genre categories: Contemporary, Adventure, Humour, Fantasy, Non-Fiction, and Historical.

TIP! The 'divide and conquer' strategy—dividing up the booklist so each team member knows a few books well—may help answer the comprehension questions.

On Tournament Day

Here’s what teams can expect during the competition rounds.

Questions

Each team is asked an equal number of questions. The questions are asked alternately to the teams, regardless of which team gave the last correct answer. In each round, there will be a mix of title and author questions, as well as comprehension questions based on the characters, plots, and setting of the books.

Answers

Teams can make up to three attempts to answer the question within 30 seconds. You do not need to know the title to try for author points or vice versa. Comprehension questions do not require the title or author.  

The question is asked once, and then the timing will start. During this time, the team can request to have the question repeated through the Spokesperson, but this will cut into the allotted time to provide an answer.

If, after 30 seconds or three attempts, the team cannot answer correctly, the opposing team has a chance to answer—but they must give their answer immediately. The question will not be repeated for the opposing team, and they will not have any time allowance. If Team A has correctly given the title, then Team B may give the author (or vice versa).

If an answer is questionable, the Moderator’s decision is final.

Scoring

• Five points are given for correct answers to comprehension questions.
• Three points are given to the team that correctly identifies the title.
• Two points are given to the team for correctly identifying the author’s surname.
• Two points are given when the opposing team correctly answers the title, or a character, series, or myth/legend.
• One point is given when the opposing team correctly answers the author’s surname.

No points will be deducted for incorrect answers. When a Round ends in a tied score, the teams are asked tie-breaker questions.

Sample Questions & Scoring