North Carolina's Elementary Battle of the Books is an academic competition which encourages reading and exposes fourth and fifth graders to a variety of literary genres. The students are expected to read 15 pre-selected books, and will practice throughout the fall in preparation for the County Tournament, which takes place in February. It is set up as a quiz bowl, with students being asked questions about the books. For each question, the students must confer, and name the book that is being described by the question. The guidelines of the North Carolina School Library Media Association sponsored program specifies that each elementary school's team consists of no more than 12 fourth and fifth graders.