MINDEMOYA—On Tuesday, May 8, five schools from across the Island participated in the 4th annual Island Battle of the Books competition held at Central Manitoulin Public School. There were a record 10 teams with over 50 students altogether competing this year at the event. Each team was comprised of students in Grades 4-6.
Central Manitoulin Public School 1 (CMPS) took the top spot with 66 points overall. Team members included Annie Balfe, Autumn Davy, Tessa McGillis-Prior, Mya Balfe and Naomi Hill. Charles C. McLean 1 finished in second place with 57 points. Team members included: Liam Cunningham, Alex Wilson-Zegil, Tessa Merrylees, Daphne Carr, Ezra Diebolt and Alexis McVey. Rounding out the top in third place with 48 points was the team from Lakeview: Maren Kasunich, Aspen Debassige, Mya Debassige, Ava Corbiere, Savannah Panamick and Lucy Joshua Matthews.
This year, the competitors were given a list of 22 Canadian books, most of which came from the Forest of Reading lists of the past and present. There were a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles on the list to promote the interest in reading for the competitors. At the competition, the participants were given clues to try to identify the title and the author of 20 of those books. Competitors had three chances to identify the correct answer and points (5, 3, 1) were awarded accordingly.
When asked why he enjoys the event, veteran Battle of the Books participant Brodie Pennie of Assiginack Public School commented, “It is really fun to read all the different books and answer the clues!”
Pennie.
A first time competitor, Nevaeh Harper of CMPS said, “Battle of the Books was really fun and it was something new for me to try!”
Many thanks goes out to the table judges (most of whom are former participants): Zoe Redmond, Maddy Skippen, Laura Orford, Landon Hare, Ethan Cooper, Ava Assinewai, Leah Carrick, Nicole Cress, Zach Gibbons and Alice Pennie. Also, Judy Land for timing all the clues and Rhys Allison and Aiden Case for scorekeeping. Mr. Lindsay, Mrs. Cranston-Kay and the ISP class at CMPS provided a delicious snack for all the students at the intermission. Also thanks goes to Karey Fisher for doing the certificates and the medals.
