Past Winter Battle of the Books Titles
These books were used in the Winter Battle of the Books competitions from 2004-2023. The year listed after the book is the year that it was a Battle title, not the year of publication.
 
 
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko book cover
Al Capone Does My Shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko

A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister. (2006)
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer book cover
Artemis Fowl
by Eoin Colfer

When a twelve-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll. (2004)
Between the lines by Jodi Picoult book cover
Between the Lines
by Jodi Picoult

Preferring to spend her days in the school library where she reads a fairy tale that feels strangely real to her, loner Delilah is astonished when the story's brave and handsome prince, Oliver, reaches out to her and reveals his discontent with his predetermined, literary existence. (2013)
The Call by Michael Grant book cover
The Call
by Michael Grant

Mack MacAvoy, a seemingly average 12-year-old, learns that he is destined to gather a team of similarly gifted children who will attempt to save the world from the powerful Pale Queen and her beautiful daughter, Risky. (2014)
Cosmic by Frank Contrell Boyce book cover
Cosmic
by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Frequently mistaken for an adult because of his mature appearance, 12-year-old Liam tires of the few benefits he's been able to take advantage of as a result and cons his way onto a spaceship for civilians by pretending to be an adult chaperone, a situation that lands him between worlds far from home. (2012)
A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano book cover
3A Dash of Trouble
by Anna Meriano

Sneaking out of school and into the family bakery where she has been told she is too young to help prepare for the annual Dia de los Muertos festival, Leonora discovers that her female relatives come from a long line of brujas, Mexican witches, who pour a bit of sweet magic into everything they prepare. (2023)
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine book cover
Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine

In a first novel and 1998 Newbery Honor Book based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against a childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her. (2004)
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein book cover
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein

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. (2015)
First Boy by Gary Schmidt book cover
First Boy
by Gary D. Schmidt

Dragged into the political turmoil of a presidential election year, fourteen-year-old Cooper Jewett, who runs a New Hampshire dairy farm since his grandfather's death, stands up for himself and makes it clear whose first boy he really is. (2008)
Flunked by Jen Calonita book cover
Flunked
by Jen Calonita

Tossed into Cinderella's stepmother's reform school for fairy-tale villains after stealing a hair clip, twelve-year-old petty thief Gilly meets fellow students Jax and Kayla, who reveal the school's true evil purpose. (2017)
Flush by Carl Hiaasen book cover
Flush
by Carl Hiaasen

With their father jailed for sinking a river boat, Noah Underwood and his younger sister, Abbey, must gather evidence that the owner of this floating casino is emptying his bilge tanks into the protected waters around their Florida Keys home. (2007)
From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg book cover
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E. L. Konigsburg

Follows the adventures of a pair of young runaways who secretly take shelter in the Metropolitan Museum of Art only to become embroiled in a headlines-making mystery. (2016)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman book cover
The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman

After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own. (2010)
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman book cover
The Grimm Legacy
by Polly Shulman

After high school student Elizabeth, working as a page, gains access to the Grimm Collection of magical objects, she and the other pages are drawn into a series of frightening adventures involving mythical creatures and stolen goods. (2011)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling book cover
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J. K Rowling

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. (2015)
Hiding out at the Pancake Palace by Nan Marino book cover
Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace
by Nan Marino

When musical prodigy, Elvis Ruby, completely freezes up on television, he is forced to hide out in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, where he spends the summer working with his aunt and cousin at Piney Pete's Pancake Palace, the perfect place to remain anonymous until he meets Cecilia, a girl who can't seem to help blurting out whatever's on her mind. (2014)
Hoot by Carl Hiassen book cover
Hoot
by Carl Hiaasen

Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, befriends a mysterious boy who introduces him to potty-trained alligators, burrowing owls, and sparkly-tailed poisonous snakes. (2005)
I represent Sean Rosen by Jeff Baron book cover
I Represent Sean Rosen
by Jeff Baron

Sean Rosen pretends to be a grown-up as well as his own manager and sells a movie idea to a major motion picture studio—via Skype—all while enduring the ups and downs of life in middle school. (2014)
The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabenstein book cover
The Island of Dr. Libris
by Chris Grabenstein

Spending a summer at a lakeside cabin belonging to the mysterious Dr. Libris, Billy is astonished when he hears sounds of adventures in progress whenever he opens one of Dr. Libris' books. (2018)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan book cover
The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan

After learning that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea, Percy Jackson is sent to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods, and becomes involved in a quest to prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. (2007)
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan book cover
The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan

Jason, Piper, and Leo, three students from a school for "bad kids," find themselves at Camp Half-Blood, where they learn that they are demigods and begin a quest to free Hera, who has been imprisoned by Mother Earth herself. (2012)
Love among the walnuts by Jean Ferris book cover
Love Among the Walnuts
by Jean Ferris

Born and raised in isolation in a wealthy, eccentric family, Sandy is shocked when he, his parents, and their servants become victims of a vicious plot by his greedy uncles to incapacitate them and take their money. (2006)
The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris book cover
The Magic Misfits
by Neil Patrick Harris

A young street magician teams up with other talented street kids to save their town from a crime boss and his goons. (2020)
Masterminds by Gordon Korman book cover
Masterminds
by Gordon Korman

A group of kids discovers they were cloned from the DNA of some of the greatest criminal masterminds in history for a sociological experiment. (2017)
The maze of bones by Rick Riordan book cover
The Maze of Bones
by Rick Riordan

At the reading of their grandmother's will, Dan and Amy Cahill are given the choice of receiving a million dollars or uncovering the 39 clues hidden around the world that will lead to the source of the family's power, but by taking on the clues, they end up in a dangerous race against their own family members. (2011)
Misfits by Jen Calonita book cover
Misfits
by Jen Calonita

Forced to attend Enchantasia's Royal Academy, Devin teams up with other misfits to investigate why Olivina, the fairy godmother/headmistress, is obsessed with villains rather than teaching them to be proper princes and princesses. (2020)
Mr. Lemoncello's great library race by Chris Grabenstein book cover
Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race
by Chris Grabenstein

Mr. Lemoncello invites Kyle and his friends to participate in a fact-finding game, but when they learn a few surprising facts about Mr. Lemoncello, they must unravel the truth before his library and empire are destroyed. (2019)
Mr. Lemoncello's library olympics by Chris Grabenstein book cover
Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics
by Chris Grabenstein

Mr. Lemoncello has invited teams from all across America to compete in the first ever Library Olympics...but someone is trying to censor what the kids are reading. (2017)
Once upon a marigold by Jean Ferris book cover
Once Upon a Marigold
by Jean Ferris

In the style of The Princess Bride, a hilarious and clever tale follows Christian, who, while spying on the royal family, saves the life of Princess Marigold and falls madly in love with her, but a devious plot devised by her own mother, the Queen, to take over the kingdom threatens to destroy them. (2005)
Peeled by Joan Bauer book cover
Peeled
by Joan Bauer

Thinking that the editor of the local paper is behind the hysteria surrounding ghostly sightings and strange happenings at the Ludlow house, high school newspaper reporter Hildy Biddle decides to investigate the strange events herself and ends up making enemies while uncovering facts that some feel should remain secret. (2010)
Pie by Sarah Weeks book cover
Pie
by Sarah Weeks

When her late Aunt Polly bequeaths a surly pet cat and a coveted pie-crust recipe to her, Alice is thrust into the center of a high-stakes pie-baking contest that her mother is determined to win, a competition that helps Alice discover the true importance of family, friendship and enjoying what one does in life. (2014)
Poached by Stuart Gibbs book cover
Poached
by Stuart Gibbs

Twelve-year-old Teddy Fitzroy is the prime suspect when FunJungle's newly-acquired koala goes missing, thanks to a prank staged by middle school bully Vance Jessup. (2018)
Poison by Bridget Zinn book cover
Poison
by Bridget Zinn

Realizing that her realm is on the verge of destruction and that she is the only one who can save it, 16-year-old Kyra makes the wrenching decision to poison the kingdom's future ruler, her former best friend, and is rendered a fugitive along with a charming adventurer and an adorable pig. (2014)
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale book cover
Princess Academy
by Shannon Hale

While attending a strict academy for potential princesses with the other girls from her mountain village, fourteen-year-old Miri discovers unexpected talents and connections to her homeland. (2007)
Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer book cover
Raising Lumie
by Joan Bauer

Desperately wanting a dog in spite of her newly orphaned status, Olive moves in with a busy half sister she barely knows before receiving a chance to raise a guide dog puppy who she struggles to prepare to be loved by someone else. (2023)
Restart by Gordon Korman book cover
Restart
by Gordon Korman

A standalone novel in the vein of No More Dead Dogs follows the experiences of a former bully who gets a chance at redemption after a memory-impairing accident tests whether he can change or will revert to his previous ways. (2019)
The river between us by Richard Peck book cover
The River Between Us
by Richard Peck

During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans to come north to Illinois. (2006)
Rump: The true story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff book cover
Rump : the True Story of Rumpelstiltskin
by Liesl Shurtliff

When his mother dies without revealing his full name, Rump endures teasing for his half-name until he discovers his ability to spin gold, a talent that entangles him in a dire curse and prompts a fantastical quest to discover his true identity. (2015)
Running out of time by Margaret Peterson Haddix book cover
Running Out of Time
by Margaret Peterson Haddix

When a diphtheria epidemic hits her 1840 village, thirteen-year-old Jessie discovers it is actually a 1995 tourist site under unseen observation by heartless scientists, and it's up to Jessie to escape the village and save the lives of the dying children. (2004)
Samantha Spinner and the super-secret plans by Russell Ginns book cover
Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans
by Russell Ginns

Samantha's uncle mysteriously disappears, leaving behind extravagant gifts for her siblings and an old, rusty, red umbrella for Samantha that may contain clues to his whereabouts. (2020)
Scat by Carl Hiaasen book cover
Scat
by Carl Hiaasen

Nick and his friend Marta decide to investigate when a mysterious fire starts near a Florida wildlife preserve and an unpopular teacher goes missing. (2010)
Schooled by Gordon Korman book cover
Schooled
by Gordon Korman

After his hippie grandmother ends up in the hospital, Cap Anderson is forced to leave the commune where he is homeschooled and attend Claverage Middle School, where his odd looks and behavior make him the target of bullies. (2009)
The sea of monsters by Rick Riordan book cover
The Sea of Monsters
by Rick Riordan

When Camp Half-Blood, the only safe haven for demigods, comes close to being overrun by mythological monsters, Percy must find his best friend Grover, who is prisoner on an island in the Bermuda Triangle, and then set out to save the Camp. (2008)
The seventh level by Jody Feldman book  cover
The Seventh Level
by Jody Feldman

Twelve-year-old Travis is invited to become a member of The Legend, Lauer Middle School's most exclusive secret society, but first he must solve seven puzzles. (2014)
Shakespeare's secret by Elise Broach book cover
Shakespeare's Secret
by Elise Broach

Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, misfit sixth-grader Hero becomes interested in exploring this unusual connection because of a valuable diamond supposedly hidden in her new house, an intriguing neighbor, and the unexpected attention of the most popular boy in school. (2008)
Slacker by Gordon Korman book cover
Slacker
by Gordon Korman

Cameron creates a community service group as a diversion to fool his parents so he can keep playing video games all day, but his plan goes awry when students express interest in the club and he is forced to take real action. (2018)
Stanford Wong flunks big-time by Lisa Yee book cover
Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time 
by Lisa Yee

After flunking sixth-grade English, basketball prodigy Stanford Wong must struggle to pass his summer-school class, keep his failure a secret from his friends, and satisfy his academically demanding father. (2009)
Stef Soto, taco queen book cover
Stef Soto, Taco Queen
by Jennifer Torres

Mexican-American middle schooler Stef Soto is always embarrassed about her family's taco truck business, but she soon learns that family, friendship, and the taco truck are important parts of her life. (2019)
Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan book cover
Surviving the Applewhites
by Stephanie S. Tolan

Jake, a budding juvenile delinquent, is sent for home schooling to the arty and eccentric Applewhite family's Creative Academy, where he discovers talents and interests he never knew he had. (2005)
A tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine book cover
A Tale of Two Castles
by Gail Carson Levine

Twelve-year-old Elodie journeys to Two Castles in the hope of studying acting but instead becomes an apprentice to the dragon Meenore, who teaches her to be observant and use reasoning, thus helping her discover who is poisoning Count Jonty Um. (2016)
The true meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex book cover
The True Meaning of Smekday
by Adam Rex

After the alien Boov invade the Earth, young Gratuity Tucci finds herself driving her mother's car to Florida, where all of the humans are being relocated, accompanied by her cat and a renegade extraterrestrial named J. Lo. (2012)
Ungifted by Gordon Korman book cover
Ungifted
by Gordon Korman

Due to an administrative mix-up, troublemaker Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction, a special program for gifted and talented students, after pulling a major prank at middle school. (2013)
Unplugged by Gordon Korman book cover
Unplugged
by Gordon Korman

Relates, in multiple voices, the adventures of a group of youngsters at an electronics-free wellness camp where wealthy, spoiled Jett, leads other campers in trying to stop a criminal. (2023)
Vanishing acts by Phillip Margolin book cover
Vanishing Acts
by Phillip Margolin

A first children's book by the best-selling author of Executive Privilege, co-authored by his daughter, follows the adventures of 12-year-old Madison, who resolves to help her attorney father solve a murder case at the same time her best friend, Ann, goes missing. (2013)
The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt Book Cover
The Wednesday Wars
by Gary D. Schmidt

During the 1967 school year, on Wednesday afternoons when all his classmates go to either Catechism or Hebrew school, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood stays in Mrs. Baker's classroom where they read the plays of William Shakespeare and Holling learns much of value about the world he lives in. (2009)
What we found in the sofa and how it saved the world  by Henry Clark book cover
What We Found in the Sofa and How It Saved the World
by Henry Clark

Discovering a rare crayon between the cushions of a mysterious sofa found at their bus stop, River, Freak and Fiona unwittingly embark on a quest to save the world from an alien invasion unleashed by a criminal mastermind. (2016)
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry book cover
The Willoughbys Return
by Lois Lowry

Reclusive billionaire’s son Richie Willoughby finds his budding friendship with neighborhood kids Winifred and Winston Poore challenged by the sudden outlawing of candy and his horrible grandparents’ unexpected resurrection. (2011)
Longwood Public Library800 Middle Country RoadMiddle Island, New York 11953longwoodlibrary.org