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This year Byrd Elementary joined other Aiken County Public Elementary Schools for the 8th District Elementary Battle of the Books Competition. Students in 4th and 5th grade that won their school battles competed for the district title.
What is the Battle of the Books?
Battle of the Books is a reading competition designed to improve reading and comprehension while building enthusiasm for reading using a fun and unique competition format. Students will compete in teams to demonstrate their knowledge of 8-10 preselected books.
Who can compete?
Fourth and fifth grade students are eligible to compete. More eligibility requirements will be posted after initial sign-ups in the fall.
Battle of the Books Information:
Students are encouraged to keep a Battle of the Books notebook with notes about the books they have read.
Practice times will be determined once school starts.
A school-level competition is tentatively scheduled for early February. The champion of the school competition will go on to compete in the district battle tentatively scheduled for March 26.
This year's books have been carefully selected and are the South Carolina Book Award Nominees. These books include a variety of genres, reading levels, and themes. Appealing to reluctant as well as enthusiastic and mature readers, all Battle of the Books selections are available for check out through the school library as well as the public library.
There is no cost to participate.
2023-2024 Battle of the Books Titles:
- The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody
- Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson
- Dog Squad by Chris Grabenstein
- Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan
- Fast Pitch by Nic Stone
- The Islanders by Mary Alice Monroe
- Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia
- Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing
- Simon B. Rhymin' by Dwayne Reed
- Stella by McCall Hoyle
Important Battle of the Books Information:
- Students in 4th and 5th grade can participate in the competition.
- Read the books on the list. It is recommended that 5 books are read by November in order to be on a team.
- Teams will be made up of five or six people. The team will need to choose a team captain and a name for their team.
- Teams will decide who will be an "expert" on which books. Students should be an "expert" on at least three books.