Grade 5 and 6 students from Estevan’s six elementary schools had their chance to test their book knowledge on Friday morning at Westview School for the Estevan Area Literacy Group’s Battle of the Books.
The 19 teams entered had to read 10 different books prior to the competition, and then they were asked questions about those novels by literacy group co-ordinator Regina Barz. They were awarded points for correct answers.
The Home Run Readers from Pleasantdale School were the winners, as they collected 43 of a possible 50 points. Team members were Sadie Aspinall, Miley Granberg, Lily Salamon and Rowyn Siever.
Westview’s Reading Zombies, consisting of Jordy Coleman, Khzir Syed, CC McCaskill and Alexis Patron, finished second with 40 points. Another Pleasantdale team, the Cozy Readers, were third with 39 points. Members were Jade Bedore, Gaby Gedak, Graidan Irwin and Skylynn Macaskill.
Barz said the participants were excited because there were so many teams entered, and they have a lot of fun.
“They enjoyed it, and they’re excited for the next year,” Barz said afterwards. “Hopefully next year’s the same way as today.”
The literacy group also hosts a Battle of the Books for Grade 7 and 8 students, so many of the kids from this year’s battle are expected to move up next year.
The books were from different genres and authors, ensuring that the kids would have lots of variety for their reading.
“We always say that the team should be able to read all of the books,” said Barz. “Some kids read all of the books, and some kids just read a portion. It depends on how good the kids are with reading. But the teams do way better if they all read the books.”
Awards were handed out in other categories. The best team name was Spruce Ridge School’s Ghost Bookers, with Mya Brandon, Madison Holtz, Emily Sauder and Kara Groshong. Another Spruce Ridge team, the Book Bakers, won for best banner. Members were Bailey Elliott, Camryn Johnson, Kerison Burnett and Wynter Michel.
The best outfit award went to Pleasantdale’s Reading Pineapples, with Kora Dowhanuik, Rachel Duncan, Mykenna Driedger and Abigail Fowler.
Barz applauded the students for their efforts in coming up with the costumes and designing the banners.
“Last year they were doing some costumes, but this year it was like they were way out of control, because nobody expected such beautiful costumes,” she said. “They took time to do them all.”
One team, the Rockin’ Readers, had a rock and roll theme and had guitars with them, while the Book Bakers clearly dedicated a lot of hours to having hats and aprons.
Participants also enjoyed pizza, soft drinks and muffins.
The event had funding from the United Way Estevan, since the literacy group is a United Way member agency, and Saskatchewan Lotteries, who supplied funds for the books. Westview helped out with the organization.
