MADERA, CA – On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, students from several Chawanakee Unified School District schools took part in the Madera County “Battle of the Books” regional competition at the Madera Fairgrounds, and returned with impressive results. Hosted by the Madera County Superintendent of Schools, the event celebrated reading, teamwork, and quick thinking in a lively, competitive atmosphere. Elementary teams from grades 3 to 8 faced three distinct challenges that tested their reading comprehension, recall, collaboration, and speed — all based on a curated list of twenty books they had to read in the three months leading up to the competition.

The Battle

The Battle of the Books format encourages students to become expert readers and to work closely with peers. Each team of up to five students prepared by reading the same twenty-title list, then competed in three preliminary events — Lit Loop, Story Sprint, and Book Buzz — to qualify for the final Chapter Challenge. In each round, teams were rewarded not only for correct answers but for strategy and teamwork, making the competition as much about collaboration as it was about individual knowledge.

Events

• Lit Loop required teams to navigate 24 stations, each presenting a question tied to one of the selected books. Teams had a fixed time at every station to agree on and record an answer; they could visit each station only once, which added pressure to answer efficiently and accurately.
• Story Sprint was a relay-style event in which a team member sprinted to a proctor to hear a question, then either answered immediately or ran back to consult with teammates before returning to respond. This format emphasized both individual initiative and rapid team consultation.
• Book Buzz was a fast-paced buzzer round where the first team to buzz in earned the chance to answer a question; incorrect responses carried a penalty, so teams had to balance quick reflexes with thoughtful risk assessment.

After the three preliminary events, the top three teams from each grade advanced to the Chapter Challenge, a head-to-head showdown in which the highest-scoring team was crowned regional champion. This year, Chawanakee Unified Schools showed strong representation: North Fork Elementary and Spring Valley both earned top-three finishes in their respective grade divisions, demonstrating the depth of reading talent within the district.

A Sweep

North Fork Elementary delivered a standout performance by sweeping all four events and finishing first at the regional level. The school’s five champions — Eric Ashmore (The Book Merlin), Jame Bethune (The Book Keeper), Bishop Ching (The Book Bishop), Lilly Croff (The Book Olympian), and Sterling Herechski (The Book Veteran) — combined reading skill, quick recall, and seamless teamwork to earn top honors. Their success reflects hours of preparation, mutual support, and enthusiasm for reading that the Battle of the Books seeks to foster.

Across the board, the competition showcased not only students’ knowledge of the selected books but also important life skills: communication, composure under pressure, sportsmanship, and cooperative problem-solving. Teachers, parents, and school staff played a central role in preparing teams, organizing practice sessions, and nurturing a culture that values literacy and learning. The Madera County Superintendent of Schools’ decision to host the event at the fairgrounds provided a festive, community-centered backdrop that highlighted reading as a joyful and communal pursuit.

As teams return to their schools, the lessons from the day will resonate beyond trophies and placements. Students who competed gained confidence in public performance, a deeper appreciation for books, and memories of collaborating with peers toward a shared goal. Congratulations to North Fork Elementary and Spring Valley for their outstanding showings, and to all participating students and coaches for making the regional Battle of the Books a celebration of reading and teamwork.

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