May 9, 2022
Teams from Summerwood Elementary and Atascocita Middle School were overall winners for reading at the 2022 Battle of the Books.
Participants began preparing for the final competition in October. Teams were required to read 15 specific books. Once teams received the book list they could divide the books amongst their teammates and conquer the reading. Students read their books and met to discuss them before school, during lunch, and after school.
The first level of competition included three rounds with 100 elementary students from 23 Humble ISD elementary schools and 50 middle school students from seven district middle schools. Each participating school had its own team.
“This contest allows our students to put their reading skills to the test outside of the classroom in a friendly, competitive environment,” Lesley Nickelson, Riverwood Middle School Librarian, said. “It’s a competition our students look forward to each year that gets them excited about reading.”
During the competition, teams participated in a Family Feud-like challenge, where teams earned points by answering questions about books they read. Students competed in several rounds against different teams. The two teams with the highest points advanced to the final Book Battle.
The final book battle took place at Atascocita Middle School on April 9 with Books Ahoy! from Summerwood Elementary winning the elementary bracket in their first-ever appearance. Revolutionary Readers from Atascocita Middle School won the middle school bracket. Both teams received a trophy that will remain at their campus until next year’s competition.
Students from the Summerwood Elementary Books Ahoy! team took the top prize for elementary schools during Humble ISD’s 2022 Battle of the Books which quizzes students on books they’ve read from the competition’s reading list. Pictured are (front row from left): Joey Andrews, Lana Elkadi, Sydney Jones, Ryan Davis, and Grace Newell. Pictured (back row): Tracy Stewart, Summerwood Elementary Librarian; Mark Soard. Photo courtesy of Brooke King.
“This is a great event that not only encourages literacy among our students, but it also gives students the chance to experience the spirit of competition and collaboration,” Brooke King, Atascocita Middle School Librarian, said. “Additionally, Battle of the Books gives students an opportunity to meet new friends.”
Students from the Atascocita Middle School Revolutionary Readers team took the top prize for middle schools during Humble ISD’s 2022 Battle of the Books which quizzes students on books they’ve read from the competition’s reading list. Pictured (from left) are AMS Revolutionary Readers team members Camryn Parrot, Jonathan Hark, and Aubrie MacDonald. Photo courtesy of Brooke King.
Also during this event, Houston author Lynne Kelly spoke about her writing process and influences for writing her book, “A Song for a Whale.” The book was featured on the Battle of the Books elementary reading list.
Held in Humble ISD since 2018, Battle of the Books is open to students in grades four through eight. Librarians Alisa Cancino (Creekwood Middle School), Brooke King (Atascocita Middle School), and Ms. Nickelson joined forces to create an event that their students would enjoy. Other awards were given for best team spirit, best team name, best dressed, and runner-up.
The librarians worked with Teen Librarians from the Atascocita and Kingwood branches of the Harris County Public Library (HCPL). HCPL librarians Darla Pruitt and Lauren Richards helped the planning committee by creating the book list, selecting competition questions, and assisting in judging the competition.
The event has received generous support from the following vendors: Follet School Solutions; Scholastic Books; Debra Sewell; Atascocita High School Librarian; Harris County Public Library; PermaBound; Overdrive; and Children's Plus Inc.
The 2022 Battle of the Books winning teams are below:
Elementary Competition Winner - Books Ahoy! from Summerwood Elementary
Elementary Runner-Up - Rock-n-Reader from Bear Branch Elementary
Elementary Best Team Costume - Battle of the Bananas from Fall Creek Elementary
Elementary Best Team Spirit - Purple Pains from Groves Elementary
Elementary Best Team Name - Lion Leaders of Literature from Park Lakes Elementary
Elementary Best Team Sportsmanship - The Book Eagles from Elm Grove
Middle School Competition Winner - Revolutionary Readers from Atascocita Middle School
Middle School Runner Up - New Books on the Block from Riverwood Middle School
Middle School Best Team Costume - The Chicken Nuggets from Creekwood Middle School
Middle School Best Team Name - Punctuation Pals from Atascocita Middle School
Middle School Best Team Spirit - The Three Musketeers from Kingwood Middle School
Middle School Best Team Sportsmanship - HER-oes from Woodcreek Middle School