On Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 middle school students from Philipstown travel to Columbia Green Community College in Hudson, New York, to compete in the 10th Annual Battle of the Books against 22 libraries from the Mid-Hudson Library System.
The Butterfield Legends team, made up of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, includes Daniel Bajsicki, Theo Bates, Julie Geller, Riley Johansen, Cassie Laifer, Shaye Martin, Aurora McKee, Andrew Nachampkin, Patrick Reinhardt, Sam Seward and Andrew Silhavy.
The Battle of the Books is a national summer reading program for middle school students that requires participants to read eight books during the spring and summer and compete in trivia battles based on the titles. The program aims to introduce children to books and authors they might not otherwise encounter and to allow students to experience good sportsmanship and friendly competition.
The 2014 titles include: Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos; Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby; Legend by Marie Lu; An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo; Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes; Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs; Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead and The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater.
Since March, Butterfield’s team met weekly to read, discuss and quiz themselves with practice questions. Throughout the summer, the team attended practice battles with area libraries. “Participating in the practice battles is invaluable for the kids,” said Maureen McGrath, who coached the team. “The Regional Battle can often come down to only two rounds before the team is eliminated but with other battles throughout the summer, it extends the game time.”
The library notes that whatever the outcome of Saturday’s Regional Battle, these students are winners for their dedication to reading and teamwork.
