Novel Madness 2013!

For the second year in a row, my class will participate in a contest called NOVEL MADNESS. In teams, they brainstormed their favorite books of all time. Then, as a class, they voted on the top sixteen. This year the results were different than last year. Is it maybe because I have eleven fifth graders as well as eighteen sixth graders this year? Or is it because the popular books have shifted?

On Monday, March 11, 2013, pairs of students will present arguments in favor of the book they’ve selected. The class will vote, eliminating half the books in the first round. Click on the book’s title to read the students’ persuasive essays, intended to influence their classmates’ vote. Stay tuned here for the results!

First round matchups:

Mark of Athena vs. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

by Rick Riordan              by J.K. Rowling

 

Matilda    vs.      BFG

both by Roald Dahl

 

The Phantom Tollbooth    vs.    James and the Giant Peach

by Norman Juster                                    by Roald Dahl

 

The Mysterious Benedict Society  vs.  Harry Potter and the 

                                                                           Chamber of  Secrets

 by Trenton Stewart                                          by J.K. Rowling

 

Red Pyramid    vs.  Holes

by Rick Riordan         by Louis Sachar

 

Catching Fire     vs.    Lightning Thief

by Suzanne Collins       by Rick Riordan

 

Island of the Blue Dolphins  vs. Hunger Games

by Scott O’Dell                                       by Suzanne Collins

 

Hobbit                vs.      Pie

by J.R.R. Tolkien          by Sarah Weeks

 

I see some VERY intriguing matchups here! I also see that my class loves Roald Dahl more than last year. The novel that won last year, Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan, is not even listed, but the second place book, Lightning Thief, also by Rick Riordan, is! So which ones do you think should win the first round?

Update: For winners of these matches, click here.