Spanish Battle of the Books
Finding Your Reading List
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Elementary School
- 4th Grade
- 5th Grade
- 6th Grade - 8th Grade
- What is the Battle of the Books?
- Do I have to do Battle of the Books?
- How many people do I have to have on my team?
- Do all my teammates have to be from the same class?
- When do I have to have my team together?
- How many books do I have to read?
- How do I prepare?
- What do I get or win for doing Battle of the Books
- When are the Battle of the Books competitions?
4th Grade
Aníbal y Melquiades
by Francisco Hinojosa
One was the strongest and most feared kid at school. He could lift the teacher's desk (including the teacher!), and he was capable of eating a whole can of chilis without flinching. The other was so weak and frail that he had to let candy melt in his mouth because he wasn't strong enough to chew it. One's name was Melquiades. The other, Aníbal.
La excepción de la regla
by Vivian Mansour
What happens when you're the weakest creature in a cruel food chain? Leo's life isn't remotely easy: he suffers from constant bullying by a group of kids who seem like threatening ocean predators. But one good day, with the help of the smartest girl in class, Leo will manage to earn the respect of everyone.
Juana y Lucas
by Juana Medina
Juana loves many things: drawing, living in Bogotá, Colombia, and especially her dog, Lucas, the best amigo ever. She does not love wearing her itchy school uniform, solving math problems, or learning the English. Why is it so important to learn a language that makes so little sense? Hilarious, energetic, and utterly relatable, Juana will win over los corazones (the hearts) of readers everywhere.
Malvarina: Quiero ser bruja
by Susanna Isern
Malvarina tries to learn to be a witch by her own rules, which riles the three evil witches. The innocence and bravery of this unconventional young being will earn her a spot in the hearts of all readers.
Me llamo María Isabel
by Alma Flor Ada
For María Isabel Salazar López, the hardest thing about being the new girl in school is that the teacher doesn't call her by her real name. "We already have two Marías in this class," says her teacher. "Why don't we call you Mary instead?" But María Isabel has been named for her Papá's mother and for Chabela, her beloved Puerto Rican grandmother. Can she find a way to make her teacher see that if she loses her name, she's lost the most important part of herself?
No me lo vas a creer
by Alicia Molina
Rizos
by Claribel Ortega & Rose Bousamra
Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable", "good hair". But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby―she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.
Stef Soto, la reina del taco
by Jennifer Torres
Tacos. Burritos. Guacamole. Estefania "Stef" Soto is itching to shake off the onion-and-cilantro embrace of Tia Perla, her family's taco truck. She wants nothing more than for Papi to get a normal job and for the taco truck to be a distant memory. Then maybe everyone at school will stop calling her the Taco Queen. But when her family's livelihood is threatened, and it looks like her wish will finally come true, Stef surprises everyone (including herself) by becoming the truck's unlikely champion. In this fun and heartfelt novel, Stef will discover what matters most and ultimately embrace her identity, even if it includes old Tia Perla.
Vincent Ventura y el misterio del chupacabras
by Xavier Garza
When stray dogs start disappearing from the neighborhood, Vincent’s dad thinks that maybe the Animal Control Department is finally doing its job. But then, Mrs. Rangel’s celebrity chihuahua Chato, who appeared in television commercials promoting tacos, disappears. And Mrs. García’s weiner dog and Mrs. West’s poodle go missing. Everyone in the neighborhood is puzzled, but Vincent Ventura has a theory. The disappearances started when Mr. Calaveras moved into the house at 666 Duende Street, which is rumored to be haunted. Vincent knows he’s not the harmless but grumpy guy that everyone else sees. He’s convinced the old man is behind the rash of missing dogs. In fact, Vincent is sure he’s a monster, a blood-sucking beast known as el chupacabras! Vincent enlists the aid of his cousin Michelle, the smartest student at their school, and her twin brother Bobby to spy on the suspected killer. Vincent Ventura, monster fighter extraordinaire, is determined to catch him in the act, even if it puts them all in danger!
5th Grade
Juana la futbolista
by Evelina Cabrera
Juana loves to play soccer, and that is why she trains every week with her team Los Naranjos. But things are not always easy, especially when there are still people who believe that some sports are only for boys. Luckily, she has it all very clear: when she likes something and sets her mind to it, she never stops trying.
La primera regla del punk
by Celia C. Pérez
There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school—you can’t fix it with duct tape like you would your Chuck Taylors. On Day One, twelve-year-old Malú (María Luisa, if you want to annoy her) inadvertently upsets Posada Middle School’s queen bee, violates the school’s dress code with her punk rock look, and disappoints her college-professor mom in the process. Her dad, who now lives a thousand miles away, says things will get better as long as she remembers the first rule of punk: be yourself.
Lupe Wong no baila
by Donna Barba Higuera
Lupe Wong is going to be the first female pitcher in the Major Leagues. She's also championed causes her whole young life. Some worthy…like expanding the options for race on school tests beyond just a few bubbles. And some not so much…like complaining to the BBC about the length between Doctor Who seasons. She's also championed causes her whole young life. Some worthy…like expanding the options for race on school tests beyond just a few bubbles. And some not so much…like complaining to the BBC about the length between Doctor Who seasons. Lupe needs an A in all her classes in order to meet her favorite pitcher, Fu Li Hernandez, who's Chinacan/Mexinese just like her. So when the horror that is square dancing rears its head in gym? Obviously she's not gonna let that slide
Manolito Gafotas
by Elvira Lindo
“Don’t try to be different,” says Manolito’s mother. But he can’t help it―he doesn’t have to try. Whether he’s fighting over the One-and-Only Susana, trying not to fight with Ozzy the Bully, telling his entire life story to the school psychologist, or discovering the true meaning of World Peace, ten-year-old Manolito is a real original. As he’d say, in the worldwide world, there’s nobody like him! Join the unforgettable Manolito as he takes on life in Madrid.
Maximilian y el Club de Lucha Libre
by Xavier Garza
The fights still rage on in the third installation of Max's Lucha Libre Adventures series. Max seems like any other nerdy kid until he's asked to join the Lucha Libre Club. The super-secret club admits only the offspring of wrestling royalty. And Max is a prince, descended through his mother from royal blood, his uncle the very king of lucha libre: The Guardian Angel. Trouble is, the club is so secret that Max can't tell his best friend or girlfriend what he is up to. Just that vexing girl, Paloma.
Mi abuela, la loca
by José Ignacio Valenzuela
Many grandmas are dreamers, write poems, even wear green feathered hats ... but few dare to participate in poetry contests and plant a love of literature in their grandchildren, and consequently fulfill themselves through them, helping them grow and weaving a strand of continuity through both their lives by way of writing. Petunia is Vicente's grandmother, and she is not actually that crazy; on the contrary, her eccentricities are explained by her genuine interests.
Srta. Quinces
by Kat Fajardo
Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceanera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family?
Verde fue mi selva
by Edna Iturralde
In this book Edna Iturralde writes twelve stories that portray the way of life of the people who live in the East part of Ecuador; the green pastures to the right of the great mountains. It is called the East for its forest, exotic animals, and indigenous towns that many people ignore exist. Twelve stories created by her imagination yet based on facts after traveling to the East and meeting the people who inhabit it. She studied their way of life, observed and felt their culture, understood them and was able to write being faithful to those people and their world.
6th Grade - 8th Grade
La última cuentista
by Donna Barba Higuera
There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita. But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children – among them Petra and her family – have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race. Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet – and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard – or purged them altogether. Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again?
Mexikid
by Pedro Martín
Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn't mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.
Mi Tío Pachunga
by José Ignacio Valenzuela
Eva thinks that she is not a very fortunate girl: every day she wakes up with a new question that the Internet can’t answer. She doesn’t have friends, at school nobody notices her, and her parents argue all the time. On top of that, Eva has a serious problem: she still hasn’t decided what she wants to be when she grows up. But everything changes when her parents decide to take a trip, on their therapist’s advice, and Eva has to stay for several weeks with her uncle Antonio, a man she hardly knows and whom she has only seen at family reunions. But as of that moment, uncle and niece develop a very dear relationship—a relationship that will change both of their lives.
¡Primera caída! El enmascarado de terciopelo
by Diego Mejía Eguiluz
Since his debut, Count Velvet has been determined to prove that there is no wrester tougher than him. The ring is no place for the weak; the idea is to crush everyone and that way rise to stardom. But truthfully, the Count is of a sensitive nature, and his career could go downhill for that reason. Since he was little he was taught to be brave like a man and toughen up during difficult situations. Lately, what people think of him is affecting him, his bitter enemy makes fun of him and, to make matters worse, the girl who trains his rival has discovered his weak spot and is plotting a malicious plan against him. Come along with the Velvet Masked Wrestler and his friends as he attempts to win his matches and not lose his personal charm in the process.
What is the Battle of the Books?
Do I have to do Battle of the Books?
How many people do I have to have on my team?
Do all my teammates have to be from the same class?
When do I have to have my team together?
How many books do I have to read?
How do I prepare?
You’ll have to do much of your reading at home. You may be able to do some reading in class during independent reading, quiet time, or during library checkout time. Your teacher or librarian may offer time for your team to meet and check in with each other.
At these meetings or at home, you can prepare by: memorizing the titles and authors on the list, writing down key facts from the book (main characters, plot, problem, solution, etc.), sharing information about the books you read with your teammates.
What do I get or win for doing Battle of the Books
When are the Battle of the Books competitions?
What is Battle of the Books?
Battle of the Books is a reading program for grades 4-8. Students read from a list of high-quality, librarian-selected books over the course of several months. At the end of the program, teams of students compete to answer questions about the books. It is a fun and rewarding celebration of reading!