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 16 pre-selected books, and will practice throughout the fall in preparation for the County Tournament, which takes place in February/March. 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.
The 2025-26 Cox Mill EBoB team is coming off of an historic season. For the first time ever, we had more 4th graders than 5th graders on the team and at the 2025-26 county-wide competition, our we placed 4th, an incredible showing for such a young team! We did our best, and have a lot to be proud of. Way to go Comets!!!
Now, we are gearing up for EBoB 2026-2027!
In media classes at the end of the school year, rising fourth and fifth graders will receive an EBoB 2026-27 bookmark, hear about the books, and begin to check out EBoB books. Students can prepare for the try-out in the fall by working hard over the summer! They should be studying each book's author and title, as well as learning as much as they can about each book. It is not a requirement to have read all the books on the list prior to try-outs, but the more familiar students are with the details of each book, the more successful they are likely to be.
Interested students will be asked to choose ONE time to try out: either Monday, October 19th after school, OR Tuesday, October 20th. Tryouts will be held in the Media Center, beginning at 3:00 and THERE WILL BE A 30-MINUTE TIME LIMIT ONCE THE TRY-OUT BEGINS. Students who would like to try out will get a permission slip from Mrs. Steiner during their media class beginning in August.
NO STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TRY OUT FOR THE TEAM WITHOUT HAVING TURNED IN A PERMISSION SLIP BEFOREHAND!
Permission slips will be due October 16th and are available from Mrs. Steiner in the Media Center.
If necessary, a tie-breaker will take place during the school day. Students will be notified whether or not they have made the team by the end of the week, and practices will begin after school on Monday, October 26th for the 12 members of the team.
We are looking forward to another great season!
***Here is the EBoB book list for the 2026-27 school year:
Mrs. Steiner and Mrs. Korinek serve as EBoB coaches. If you have questions, please contact rachel.steiner@cabarrus.k12.nc.us.