For over two decades, the
Newport News Public Library System has hosted a local reading competition,
Battle of the Books. The contenders are 4th and 5th graders
and 6th–8th graders from elementary and middle schools. The students read 12 books and then test their knowledge of the books in a quiz bowl format, complete with hand buzzers.
This year’s elementary school preliminary battle featured the following six Newport News elementary schools: Dutrow, B.C. Charles, Riverside, Hampton Roads Academy, Trinity Lutheran and St. Andrew’s Episcopal. After an intense local elementary school final competition, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (pictured) emerged victorious. The other Newport News schools who participated in the final competition at Main Street Library were Trinity Lutheran (2nd place) and Riverside Elementary (3rd place).
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School went on to represent Newport News in the regional Battle of the Books competition held at Williamsburg Regional Library and Warwick River Christian School represented Newport News in the middle school battle. After a tough competition with the winning teams from four nearby cities, St. Andrew’s Episcopal won the regional elementary competition. Congratulations to all who participated in this year’s event!
Battle of the Books is an annual event hosted by the Newport News Public Library System in collaboration with the Williamsburg Regional Library. Area school teams compete by answering questions on books they have read. The program is open to students grades 4-8. Students compete in a City and then a Regional competition.