Aiken County students across the district put their heads together during the annual Battle of the Books competition that tests reading comprehension across South Carolina book award novels.
Elementary, middle and high school students gathered in small teams to answer questions about a large selection of books. Brackets amongst teams helped determine the winners.
The 2026 winners included Millbrook Elementary, Aiken Intermediate and Aiken High.
Nearly a decade ago Battle of the Books started at the elementary level and since it’s inception, it has expanded to add area middle and high schools.
“I think it's just good for them to be with their peers, and it's kind of like starting a book club in a sense, and teaching accountability,” New Ellenton Middle School Librarian Katie Tate said. “If some of them in their group decide to read the same book, they can talk amongst each other about it. I think it helps promoting just reading with a friend.”
Follett Content Solutions helps pitch in by providing books to students that are on the South Carolina book awards list.
“I just always love getting to see what we do in action, and getting to see how excited the kids are, and even the adults and just how competitive and how big of a deal reading really is to the district,” Olivia Sanders, a representative with Follet Content Solutions said.
“Reading is a foundation,” Wagener-Sally High School Librarian Heather Loy shared. “Everyone needs to know how to read and comprehend what you're reading for anything you do in life. It's that foundation. And if you don't read, you don't get far.”
