FFS 13^th Graders in the Battle of the Books

Literature as a game show? Yes, you heard correctly. That's what the „Battle of the Books“ of the DAI (Deutsch-Amerikanisches Institut) in Nuremberg offers. This year, 27 teams from all across Bavaria fought for the title and we were, thanks to Mr Kunkel, part of it.

In fall 2017 we got a list of ten different books which were not only American classics, but also modern American literature. After we had picked and read our favorite book, we had our first meeting with Karin Eidsvoog from the DAI. We talked about the plot of each book which was very helpful and relieving because everyone got the content right. After that we had the opportunity to deepen our knowledge about the important details that could become relevant in the competition.

On February 22^nd, 2018 our journey to Nuremberg began. In the preliminary round three teams tried to answer three questions on each book at the same time. But you only had the chance to give the answer when you buzzed as fast as possible. Only when the answer was a correct one, you got the points. If not, the next two groups had their turn. After a few rounds the overall score of all teams was calculated and the best four teams played the finals off.

Unfortunately, we didn’t make it into the finals. We only came at 7th place with 95 points. Beside the fact that we were only a small group out of all 13th graders the other competitors were simply too strong and too fast, but we reached an intermediate goal: We were the best FOS/BOS at this competition!

Eventually, everyone of our team was a bit disappointed, but we all can say that the whole day and also the preparation phase were a marvelous experience and also a good warm-up for the upcoming final exams.

For some of us the way of reading and speaking in English was hard, but we made it and so can you. Take the chance to take part in the battle next year. You won’t regret it!

Celine Klauer, FS13a

Books to be read 2018:

1) Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach (1961)
2) Louis Sachar, Holes (1998)
3) Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003)
4) F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (1922)
5) Nick Hornby, Slam (2007)
6) Billie Letts, Where the heart is (1995)
7) Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees (2002)
8) J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye (1951)
9) Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2004ff)
10) Henry James, The Turn of the Screw (1898)

Participants 2018