The battle of the books comes to Madera

North Fork Elementary will have a team competing in the inaugural event.

Madera County elementary students will face off in the first Madera County Battle of the Books. This Saturday, students in grades 3-6 will answer questions based on a list of 20 books that each team is responsible for reading. There will be 3 separaterd-4and year and 5and-6and grade competition.

Students will participate in three events throughout the day: Friendly Family Feud, Relay Race and Super Challenge at the Madera County Schools Superintendent’s Office.

During the Friendly Family Feud, teams will work together to answer specific questions one team at a time. If a team provides an incorrect answer, the opposing team will be able to steal and answer the question to earn points. In the relay race, students will run to a proctor and answer a question one student at a time. Once a team attempts to answer all 24 questions, the relay is over and the scores will be tabulated. The Super Challenge is a speed test. All teams will compete at the same time. They will get a buzzer and the first team to buzz will get the chance to answer the question first.

The answer to each question is the title of a book and includes a bonus question if the correct answer is provided. The bonus question is the author’s name.

Battle of the Books is a national competition designed to support students in their love and discovery of reading by introducing them to quality literature.

The inaugural event will see five teams battling it out for the league title. James Monroe Elementary has two competing teams, North Fork Elementary has one competing team, and Rivergold Elementary has two competing teams.

“We are thrilled to offer a new competition for Madera County students,” said Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Madera County Schools Superintendent. “The events and teamwork that students display around their knowledge of the books they have read encourages student collaboration and promotes reading in a fun and engaging environment.”

The first teams will receive a team trophy and individual medals. Ribbons will be awarded to the team that wins first place in each event. An awards ceremony will take place at 11:45 a.m. immediately following the competitions.

The Madera Sunrise Rotary is a sponsor of the Madera County Battle of the Books.

“Our office thanks the Madera Sunrise Rotary Club for their generous sponsorship of this event,” Massetti said.