Oregon Battle of the Books
Oregon Battle of the Books encourages and celebrates students interested in reading. Each year, a committee selects books from nominations. Students in the club read the books (12 titles for high school, 16 titles for middle school) and discuss them in the club meetings. In March, teams from each participating school battle at a regional event.
In preparation for the regional battle, the club meets twice per week during lunch to discuss the books and hold mock battles. Students can read any or all of the books on the list on their own time, including during SUMMER! We have a set of books for each level students may check out during the school year and the local libraries stock extra copies of OBOB books, too. Get a jump start by visiting your library during the summer to read a few great titles.
“OBOB’s mission is to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, to broaden reading interests, to increase reading comprehension, promote academic excellence, and to promote cooperative learning and teamwork among students.”
Participants:
We have two teams — one at the middle school level and one at the high school level. Anyone with an interest in reading and being a part of this club is welcome and encouraged to join us.
To Apply:
You can start reading NOW and attend the first meeting in the fall. All students interested in being part of OBOB will be welcome. The official battle at Regionals allows only 5 students to participate, however, there is no limit to the number of students allowed on the team before Regionals. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Advisor:
Mid High OBOB Advisor: Dr. Micki Halsey Randall
High School OBOB Advisor: Ms. Rachel Polzer
NOTE: The titles chosen by OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books) have been selected by a committee based on nominations. Blanchet Catholic School has no influence on the selection of these titles. No student in the club is required to read any title he/she or a parent finds of concern. A decision to not read a book, based on concerns over content, will not prevent a student from participating in the club.
2020-21 Reading List
9th to 12th Grade Division
- The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater
- Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough
- The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
- Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
- Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
- The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
- Pride by Ibi Zoboi
- Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
- Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee
- They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
6th to 8th Grade Division
- Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
- Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
- Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
- Greenglass House by Kate Milford
- If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth
- Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen
- The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
- Moving Target by Christina Díaz González
- New Kid by Jerry Craft
- The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin
- No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen
- Refugee by Alan Gratz
- Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
- Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
- Squint by Chad Morris & Shelly Brown
- Undefeated by Steve Sheinkin