Turning Pages and Testing Wits: Celebrating NC’s Battle of the Books
If you’ve ever been part of a reading competition, you know the magic of diving headfirst into a stack of books, each one waiting to spark your imagination. For me, that magic came alive during my 7th and 8th-grade years, thanks to the North Carolina Battle of the Books (BoB). Sponsored by the North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA), BoB is more than just a quiz-bowl competition; it’s an invitation for students to fall in love with reading and connect over stories.
Back when I joined, BoB was solely for grades 6–8, but it’s since expanded to include elementary and high school students, allowing even more young readers to step into its world. The format is simple yet thrilling: teams from participating schools read a curated list of books and face off in a friendly, quiz-style battle to test their literary knowledge. But let me tell you, it’s not just about winning—it’s about the stories and the community.
My fondest memories from those years are rooted in my middle school media center. It wasn’t just a library; it was a haven. There, with my best friend and our school librarian as our guide, we pored over books like Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (a title I discovered and still cherish because of BoB). We spent countless afternoons practicing questions, and when competition day arrived, our nerves were calmed only by the promise of pizza at Pizza Hut afterward. That library, with its quiet corners and comforting shelves, was my happy place—a sanctuary of possibility.
Now, as I reflect on those formative years, I’m thrilled to see how BoB continues to grow. It’s still inspiring students across North Carolina to find joy in reading, to debate the merits of their favorite characters, and to build friendships rooted in a shared love of stories. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just someone who adores a good bookish tradition, BoB has something to offer.
Interested in what students are reading this year? You can check out the current book lists and purchase them through our Bookshop.org storefront! By purchasing these books through our storefront, you’re supporting independent bookstores and the vibrant literary ecosystem that nurtures young readers and programs like Battle of the Books. Plus, every purchase brings us one step closer to making Happenstance Bookshop a reality—a cozy, welcoming space where stories and readers can connect in the heart of our community.
To all the students participating in BoB this year: May the odds (and the authors) be ever in your favor! And to everyone else, I encourage you to dive into the BoB book list—who knows? You might discover your next favorite story.
Let’s celebrate the magic of reading, one page—and one battle—at a time.
