AkASL Battle of the Books 3rd-4th
Created by Laura Guest @ Turnagain Elementary
Anchorage School District (ASD) Official Summaries for 2015-2016 Battle of the Books
The Battle of the Books is a statewide Alaskan reading motivation and comprehension program sponsored by the Alaska Association of School Librarians. The goals of the program are to encourage and recognize students who enjoy reading, broaden reading interests, increase reading comprehension, and promote academic excellence. Visit the AkASL Official BOB site for bookmarks & activities . Passwords for practice questions are not available to the public (parents, students, teachers)
Images and Abstracts from the ASD PAC
Find suggestions for Read-a-likes on Alaska's SLED via Novelist (for Alaska Residents)
AkASL Battle of the Books Banner / Logo used with permission (c).
Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett
When twelve-year-old Steve Brixton, a fan of Bailey Brothers detective novels, is mistaken for a real detective, he must elude librarians, police, and the mysterious Mr. E as he seeks a missing quilt containing coded information
- Genre: Mystery & Humor
- book trailer
- author talking about book
El Deafo by Cece Bell
The author recounts in graphic novel format her experiences with hearing loss at a young age, including using a bulky hearing aide, learning how to lip read, and determining her "superpower."
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- book trailer
- author talking about book
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Carbenstein
Twelve-year-old Kyle gets to stay overnight in the new town library, designed by his hero (the famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello), with other students but finds that come morning he must work with friends to solve puzzles in order to escape.
- Genre: Mystery & Games
- book trailer
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
Three farmers, each one meaner than the other, try all-out warfare to get rid of the fox and his family. This reprint of the 1970 edition tells the story of clever Mr. Fox, his adoring wife, and their four small children, who outsmart three of the nastiest, ugliest, and ultimately dumbest farmers ever to raise poultry.
- Genre: Fantasy
- book trailer
- movie trailer
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space
- Genre: Humor & Adventure
- book trailer by author HarperKids Publisher
- book trailer by author Bloomsbury Publisher
Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst
Lulu's parents refuse to give in when she demands a brontosaurus for her birthday and so she sets out to find her own, but while the brontosaurus she finally meets approves of pets, he does not intend to be Lulu's.
- Subject: Pets & Holidays
- book trailer
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
The school lunch lady is a secret crime fighter who uncovers an evil plot to replace all the popular teachers with robots.
- Genre: Graphic Novel & Humor
- book trailer
- book series trailer
One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life.
- Genre: Animal Fiction
- Official book trailer
Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner
Ranger, a golden retriever, could have been a great search-and-rescue-dog except for the squirrels--but one day he unearths a mysterious box and finds himself transported back to the year 1850 where his faithful service is really needed by a family traveling west along the Oregon Trail.
- Genre: Animal Fiction Western & Time Travel
- book trailer
Recess at 20 Below by Cindy Aillaud
How cold does it have to be before Alaskan kids stay inside for recess? This is a photo book with text written from a child's perspective on what kids do during recess at 20 below. We see kids getting ready for recess, putting on layers of outdoor clothing, and then somebody has to go to the bathroom! Going sledding, swinging, running around outside with frosted-up eyelashes and face masks.
- Genre: Alaska & Non-Fiction
- no book trailer available
Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis
Excited to board the Titanic with his aunt and little sister, ten-year-old George begins to explore the ill-fated ship's first-class storage cabin when the ship is rocked by a collision with an iceberg and begins to sink.
- Genre: Historical Fiction & Titanic
- Scholastic's book trailer
Travels of Thelonious by Susan Schade and Jon Buller
At a time when animals only know myths about the talking humans who once dominated and nearly destroyed the world, a young chipmunk escapes danger in the City of Ruins and, with new friends, finds the Fog Mound, where all creatures live in peace and harmony. Alternates between chapters told primarily in text with a few illustrations (no captions) and chapters told as graphic novels.
- Genre: Adventure
- Book Trailer
Vanishing Coin by Kate Egan
Mike reluctantly bonds with good-girl neighbor Nora while learning fun skills at The White Rabbit magic shop, the owner of which believes Mike could become a great magician.
- Subject: Magicians & School
- Book Trailer
Who Was Amelia Earhart? by Kate Boehm Jerome
Examines the life of pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart, who mysteriously disappeared during an around-the-world flight in 1937.
- Genre: Biography
- no book trailer available
World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
Humphrey, pet hamster at Longfellow School, learns that he has an important role to play in helping his classmates and teacher.
- Genre: Animal Fiction, Schools & Pets
- Book Trailer
- Movie Trailer