Battle of the Books

Photo of the Towson Battle of the Books winners

In the spring of 2025, each branch partners with local schools to host Battle of the Books. There are three different age groups to participate in:

  1. Elementary school, fourth and fifth grades
  2. Middle school, sixth through eighth grades
  3. High school, ninth through 12th grades

Elementary and Middle School Competitions

Elementary and Middle School Battle of the Books are fun reading competitions where students read from a list of 10 books (see titles below) and answer trivia questions. Schools must form teams of five along with an adult coach representative, preferably a teacher or media specialist. Each Baltimore County Public Library branch will facilitate a battle for local schools to compete against each other. To enroll, confirm with your nearest branch by Wednesday, October 16.

Elementary School Battle of the Books All Titles and Formats

Middle School Battle of the Books All Titles and Formats

Elementary and Middle School Author Visits 

  • Saturday, March 8—Meet Author Tracy Occomy Crowder 
    • Randallstown at 11 a.m. 
    • Woodlawn at 2 p.m. 
  • Saturday, March 15—Meet Author Ellen Oh 
    • Perry Hall at 11 a.m. 
    • North Point at 2 p.m. 
  • Saturday, April 12—Meet Author Misty Wilson 
    • Loch Raven at 11 a.m. 
    • Towson at 2 p.m. 
  • Saturday, April 26—Meet Author Nancy Tandon 
    • Catonsville at 11 a.m.  
    • Cockeysville at 2 p.m. 

High School Competitions

Photo of the winning battle of the books team western tech
Photo Credit: Ruth Gould

High School Battle of the Books encourages individual students, with school support, to submit a work of expressive art (written work, image, audio or video) based on one of the 10 Black-Eyed Susan titles for high schoolers. Each project submission includes an artist statement to share that student’s creative process and their personal interpretation or reflection of the chosen book. All public and private schools are able to participate with the guidance of a teacher, media specialist or homeschool leader.

Interested students should contact their nearest branch by Friday, October 18, to register and confirm participation.  

High School Battle of the Books All Titles and Formats

Project Tips and Book Buzz Playlist

Watch our Book Buzz videos about each book title and learn tips for submitting your project.

2024 High School Competition Winner 

Meet Azra and learn more about her winning project.