Battle of the Books 2026
On Friday, November 6th, 2026, the DAI Library hosts its second Battle of the Books. Join us for this thrilling event!
This popular and exciting English reading competition is a program for students in grades 10,11 and 12, hosted by DAI Library as a mission to support students in their love and discovery of reading by introducing them to quality English literature.
The students come together as a team, to demonstrate their abilities and test their knowledge of the books. The teams will compete against teams from other schools in the Rhine-Neckar region. Questions and answers will be given in English. The best three teams will be awarded a prize.
This is a great way for students to gain confidence reading in English, enjoy teamwork, and to develop friendships between fellow students in a fun and inspiring atmosphere. Most excitingly, to feel the experience the thrilling anticipation of being the first to hit the buzzer and answer questions about their books!
Procedure:
In order to participate, schools from the Rhine-Neckar region are invited to form teams of up to 10 students to compete in the battle. The books and team T-shirts will be provided for you by the DAI Library. Students can start reading as soon as they are registered. The books can then be picked up here at the DAI. If the school is located farther away, the books can also be sent by mail. A native English-speaking DAI staff member will meet once with each team to review the books, go over the battle rules, and provide sample questions.
DAI Library’s Battle of the Books list 2026:
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Crongton Knights by Alex Wheatle
Registration and additional information: battleofthebooks@dai-heidelberg.de
Please register by July 20, 2026
Up to 12 teams can participate in the Battle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)