Earlier this month, teams from Manatee County's elementary, middle, and high schools convened for the 6th Annual Battle of the Books.
The elementary competition was held on April 16th at Mills Elementary School and the middle/high school competition took place at Braden River High School on April 18th.
Each year, elementary (grades 3-5) and middle school students read book titles from the Sunshine State Young Reader Award (SSYRA) program; high school students compete using books from Florida Teen Reads.
The Battle of the Books competition gives them the chance to test their knowledge of the text.
Media specialists say their students belong to book clubs, sometimes meeting before or after school to discuss reading.
Educators and families quietly watched the fast-paced competition as students carefully flipped through pages of their books.
Congratulations to this year's winners, who received a trophy and a complete set of books from Follett for their school (approx. 15 books per grade level):
- Elementary School Champions – Willis Elementary School
- Middle School Champions – Braden River Middle School
- High School Champions – Lakewood Ranch High School
