WCS Battle of the Books Champ Crowned

Published May 28, 2009

Brentwood Middle School won the first WCS Middle School Battle of the Books May 11 in a close championship round against Sunset Middle School.  Seven middle school teams participated in the event, which is an academic competition based on reading selected books.

Middle school librarians and teachers met in December, 2008, to formulate plans for the competition, which is modeled after similar competitions in North Carolina and Florida.  Books were selected from the Volunteer School Board Award nominees for 2008-2009.

Shannon Meadows, the Brentwood Middle School coach and one of the teachers who suggested that Williamson County Schools initiate a battle of the books to encourage reading among middle school students, said she felt it was important to provide an outlet and recognition for those students who love reading and talking about books.  “Students have organized activities in the arts and sports; the Battle of the Books is another way to encourage students in a positive activity that has lifelong benefits," says Meadows.

"The Department of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment is happy to have been able to support the Battle of the Books and be part of the event,” said Pat Scruggs, WCS curriculum specialist for literacy.  “We want to promote reading and enjoyment of books in any way that we can.”