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Story provided by Mike Carson, Secondary Literacy Resource Teacher 

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, we are committed to supporting students to develop foundational literacy skills and to develop a passion for multi-literacies. Battle of the Books helps provide diverse learning opportunities that promote joyful reading, thoughtful written responses, and interesting conversations.

On a warm autumnal afternoon in 480 BCE, King Leonidas and 300 Spartan warriors—or so the legend goes—etched their names in the tomes of history and myth as they stood before the Hot Gates of Thermopylae, betrayed and surrounded, in bold defiance of Xerxes and his 300,000 Persian invaders. It did not end well.

Twenty-five centuries later and several continents away, another completely dissimilar (far less violent) battle took place, as five teams of high school students competed for undying glory—or at least bragging rights and handmade trophy—in the annual Kamloops-Thompson School District Secondary Battle of the Books Reboot. On Friday, May 24, 2024, students from NorKam, Sa-Hali, Westsyde, South Kamloops (SKSS), and Valleyview secondary schools squared off, Spartan-style, against a series of literary challenges designed to test their knowledge, creativity, and teamwork, including a knock-down-drag-out Book Pitch Competition, three grueling rounds of Jeopardy, and a mind-bending Loose Parts design contest.

NorKam and Valleyview dominated the first round of Jeopardy, but Sa-Hali’s Book Pitch (featuring a one-of-a-kind interpretive dance) helped close the gap. Westsyde and SKSS’s outstanding Book Pitches left them tied for second place, and each team was left with a solid path to victory in the overall competition. Despite strong opposition, NorKam managed to maintain the lead in the final two rounds of Jeopardy. Sa-Hali and Valleyview tied for first place in the Loose Parts challenge, but their efforts were not enough to unseat the reigning champions, and NorKam emerged victorious once again as this year’s champions. Valleyview placed second, followed by Sa-Hali, Westsyde, and SKSS. Every member of every team should be proud of their performance.

This year, more than 60 students took part in the Secondary Battle of the Books. Each year, the number of participants increases, largely due to the tireless efforts of teachers and teacher-librarians who work with students at their respective schools, organizing book clubs where everyone can feel safe, heard, and included. These clubs are places that help to foster a love of reading and a sense of community and shared interests, and the competition at the end is just for fun.

The secondary “Battle Books” are largely chosen by the students themselves, and represent a diverse range of perspectives, authors, and genres. This year’s list consisted of fifteen eclectic titles, including Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Alire Saenz, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Giving students a say in which books are selected aligns with a key aspect of the District’s vision, as it provides resources and opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to see themselves represented in the texts they read. The clubs also foster a positive sense of community as they are spaces where everyone is welcome and included. Some students read all the listed books, while others only read one or two. Still, if even one student reads just a little more than they might have otherwise, or, more importantly, finds themselves at home in a book club where they feel just a little less alone, everyone wins.

The Battle of the Books is far more than a competition because it embodies many of our District’s priorities: it helps ensure that every student acquires strong foundation skills and core competencies, particularly literacy skills and critical and creative thinking abilities. The Secondary Battle also helps connect students to their passions, honours Indigenous perspectives and worldviews (as well as a myriad of other perspectives and worldviews), and helps foster an inclusive, adaptable, and accountable culture.

Although this year’s Secondary Battle of the Books might not be immortalized in the annals of history alongside Thermopylae, for those of us who were there, it will be remembered fondly (and I think everyone had a lot more fun than the Spartans and Persians did). NorKam may have taken home the trophy (again), but everyone went home a winner after this year’s Battle of the Books.