Growing readers one epic showdown at a time.

A question was read aloud and posted on a video screen; four or five heads immediately convened at the center of a table; whispers ensued; and then, as the seconds ticked towards zero, a team spokesperson responded – usually boisterously – with an answer.

This is Battle of the Books (BOB), an annual showdown between students in 4th and 5th Grade, and the formula for the event is simple. Each fall students are separated into teams, given the BOB reading list, and entrusted with dividing and conquering the literature in question over the next several months. 4th Graders are afforded more guidance the first time around – class time to read, reminders about the competition – helping them make informed decisions about what it takes to pull their weight and achieve success. In 5th Grade, the process is much more autonomous.

Reading is done largely at home, causing students to embrace factors such as accountability and time management.

Come spring, teams compete in a trivia tournament all over campus with the top five squads advancing. After a thrilling final round in the John Mitchell Theatre, the top overall team emerges with an epic WWE-style belt and the right to call themselves the connoisseurs of comprehension.

The lessons students take away from BOB are many. Independence and and problem solving, patience and overcoming adversity.

This past spring, the Soccer Syllable Sloths narrowly bested the Shushing Sharks in the final round of BOB competition. (Alliteration is a huge hit when it comes to naming the teams.) And while the Sloths were the ones left lifting the belt, the students emerged with a reminder about what is possible when they do the work, and work together.