City Schools students are ready for battle. Teams throughout the district have been intensely preparing, meeting to discuss strategy, and practicing their maneuvers for the showdown.
It’s all to get ready for the second annual Battle of the Books competition—and it’s all about encouraging a love of reading and developing literacy skills.
Students in fourth and fifth grade will compete to see who can best answer questions about 10 selected books. The books were selected from Black-Eyed Susan Book Award winners, a prestigious award determined by committees of school and public librarians, and members of the Maryland Association of School Librarians, from nominations by students, teachers, parents, and other readers around the state.
Teams of three to five students from 34 schools have been working with their school librarians to discuss the books they've read and answer practice questions. On April 25, 2025, they’ll be greeted at Morgan State by the university’s marching band and cheerleading squads, getting them psyched for the competition: 30 seconds to answer multiple-choice, true/false, and open-ended questions. Once Morgan State students tally the scores, a winner will be declared.
Are City School students ready to face their friendly foes? They are!
“I already read three books,” said Montebello Elementary/Middle School fourth grader Amare. Amare even offered some advice on how fellow readers can prepare for the competition and get the most out of reading: Don’t just read the book; she advised that you should picture it in your mind.
Fellow fourth grader Camryn is confident that their preparation will lead to victory. A dozen Montebello students are sharing information about the books they’ve read and preparing for the competition, “so we know what to do when we actually battle,” she says.
Montebello’s scholars are ready, reports Library Media Specialist Keri Ensor. “They get to come to the library during lunch— our Lunch Bunch group. They enjoy sharing the books they’re excited about with others and collaborating.”
Over 50 students have signed up for Battle of the Books teams at KIPP Harmony Academy. Along with fourth and fifth graders in the district-wide competition, Kipp added third graders and students from sixth through eighth grade to the school portion of the contest. The enthusiasm from last year’s Battle participants has spread through word of mouth throughout the school.
“It’s a friendly competition, and we focus on teamwork,” says the school’s Library Media Specialist, Theresa Bruce. "Starting in the fall, the kids were asking me, 'When’s the Battle of the Books coming?”
One devoted KIPP reader, a fifth grader, comes to the library daily to let Bruce know where he is on his current book.
Bruce also values the Battle of the Books because it offers few obstacles for a student. “For a student who likes to read: come on, let’s do it,” she explains. “Even if you haven’t enjoyed reading, this gives you a low-risk way to get involved and explore different texts you choose. It’s a shift in mindset. Literacy is alive here. Literacy lives here. That’s the side effect I’m seeing.”
A shift is also taking place at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School. Library Media Specialist Russell Parisi admits, “Last year was a little bit intimidating. Our kids were on display and competing against other schools. It was a learning curve for me.”
But this year, it’s all about inclusivity and sharing the love of reading at the school. Says Parisi, “I’m stressing inclusion. I don’t want elite groups.”
Parisi has opened the competition to all learners and readers. He believes mixed language learners should be as welcome in the Battle of the Books as native speakers. “I feel like getting kids to like reading without it being an assignment is big,” he says.
Commodore John Rodgers students also appreciate the lessons learned from preparation.
“Teamwork is very important because if you haven’t read a book, your teammate can help you out,” says one student, Musawir. Adds his Battle companion Lucas, now I know that “when I’m at home and I’ve got nothing to do, I can read a book.” Lucas enjoys graphic novels; there are two graphic novels on the Battle of the Books reading list.
“And “I really want to win,” adds another student, Sophia.
“I want them to get a love for reading,” concludes Parisi.
Last year, teams from 22 schools participated in the second annual Battle of the Books. Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School was the winner.