To participate in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, elementary and middle school students must read the current Georgia Children’s Book Award Nominees. The Georgia Book Award Nominees is the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl’s official reading list. High school students must read the Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers Nominees for the current year which is the official reading list of the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. See the Book List tab for current lists.
The 2024 state competitions will be virtual. Some of the traditional rules will apply, but others may change. The virtual format and rules are posted in the tab "Virtual Rules".
Traditional Game Format
1. Ideally each school participates in six rounds.
2. Each round consists of 10 questions.
3. Alternates may be substituted between rounds.
4. Teams will receive 10 points for each answer.
5. There will be no penalties for wrong answers.
6. There will be five members on a team and up to five alternates.
7. A school may have no more than one team.
Rules
1. Students may hold the buzzer.
2. Students must buzz in to respond to questions.
3. After the console judge acknowledges the student that buzzed in with color and number, the answer must be given within 10 seconds.
4. If a student that has not been acknowledged calls out the answer, the team’s response is not recorded and the question is repeated for the other team.
5. If the answer is incorrect, the question will be repeated for the other team. The answer must be given within 10 seconds.
6. If neither team buzzes in to answer, the answer is read out loud. And the next question is asked.
7. If a student buzzes in before the question is completely read, the student must answer immediately within 10 seconds.
8. Any concerns about an answer to a question MUST be addressed by the student to the COACHES before the next question is asked. The moderator’s decision is final.
9. Students must raise their hand to get the coaches attention.
10. Coaches stay by their team during competition to address any concerns or questions.
The 2024 state competitions will be virtual. Some of the traditional rules will apply, but others may change. The virtual format and rules are posted in the tab "Virtual Rules".
Traditional Game Format
1. Ideally each school participates in six rounds.
2. Each round consists of 10 questions.
3. Alternates may be substituted between rounds.
4. Teams will receive 10 points for each answer.
5. There will be no penalties for wrong answers.
6. There will be five members on a team and up to five alternates.
7. A school may have no more than one team.
Rules
1. Students may hold the buzzer.
2. Students must buzz in to respond to questions.
3. After the console judge acknowledges the student that buzzed in with color and number, the answer must be given within 10 seconds.
4. If a student that has not been acknowledged calls out the answer, the team’s response is not recorded and the question is repeated for the other team.
5. If the answer is incorrect, the question will be repeated for the other team. The answer must be given within 10 seconds.
6. If neither team buzzes in to answer, the answer is read out loud. And the next question is asked.
7. If a student buzzes in before the question is completely read, the student must answer immediately within 10 seconds.
8. Any concerns about an answer to a question MUST be addressed by the student to the COACHES before the next question is asked. The moderator’s decision is final.
9. Students must raise their hand to get the coaches attention.
10. Coaches stay by their team during competition to address any concerns or questions.