There are some new Battle of the Books champions – both in elementary and middle school!
Jefferson Elementary School took home the title on April 19, and Aiken Intermediate School took home the win on April 20. Both schools are first-time winners.
“It feels very exciting. These kids have been working very hard every day practicing their books,” said Kristle Banks, a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary School who was with the students. “We’ve competed in years past, but it’s our first year making it to the championship.”
Jefferson Elementary school beat out 14 other elementary schools in four rounds to claim the district title. During each round the kids had to answer a question and give the correct name of the book, and for additional points the author’s name as well. The kids had to read eight books that were chosen off the South Carolina Children’s Book Award list.
For Patsy Davis, the media specialist at Aiken Intermediate, she was excited for the win because she is retiring after this school year and gets to go out on top.
“I’m so excited for my students and for everything good that’s going to happen at Aiken Intermediate,” Davis said.
Aiken Intermediate beat out eight other middle schools in seven rounds of competition where they went undefeated. The students had to answer 20 questions about 10 books from the South Carolina Junior Book Award list that they had to read throughout the year.
The Battle of the Books is a reading competition that is designed to improve reading and comprehension among students, while also creating an enthusiasm for reading, said Melanie Starks, the media specialist at East Aiken School of the Arts. The district Battle of the Books is in its sixth year.