The Anchorage School District Elementary Battle of the Books competition took place at West High the week of Jan. 24. This reading competition involves roughly 200 students per day over four days, answering questions about 12 books selected as this year’s reading list by the Alaska School Librarians Association. Middle school and high school Battle of the Books competitions took place on Feb. 2-3 at West High, and the winners from all competitions are competing this week in the state competitions via audio conference calls.
On behalf of the competition coordinators, I would like to thank all of those students, judges, coaches, chaperones and coordinators that participated, and all the parents out there who encourage their children to keep reading! Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Bishop, ASD Board Member Margo Bellamy, Library Resources Director Lisa Sam, Director of Elementary Education Cindy Hemry and other volunteers who helped these events happen. I would also like to thank the Glacier Lodge organization that provides the awards and copies of the Battle books to several schools that didn’t have resources to purchase the books otherwise. Thank you to West High and librarian Staci Cox for being generous hosts, and to Great Harvest Bread Co., Starbucks and Wendy’s for the continued and invaluable support through donations. Thank you to the Alaska State Librarians and state coordinators for the time and effort they give to keep this popular reading event going strong each year.
Good luck to the ASD winners next week in the state competition: Huffman Elementary, Birchwood ABC, Aquarian Charter School, Roger’s Park Elementary, Gruening Middle School and Bartlett High School.
— Stacy Berg
Battle of the Books Coordinator
Anchorage
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.