Keystone Oaks Students Come Out On Top In Book Battle

Three groups of fifth graders from Keystone Oaks elementary schools recently came out on top in the district's sixth annual "Battle of the Books" reading competition.

The winning teams were the Bookstreet Boys from Aiken, the Book Monsters from Dormont, and the Cheetah Readers from Myrtle.

Castle Shannon, Dormont and Green Tree libraries also took part and high school Principal Scott Hagy emceed Monday's event.

The voluntary two-month extra-curricular reading program for fifth graders is intended to encourage reading the best classic and contemporary children’s literature.

Students formed teams of five and were required to read two books each from the selected reading list, which range from third-to-sixth grade reading levels.

Winners were named from each elementary school and received a $20 Barnes and Noble gift card. All participants earned a certificate of participation and a community bag that included coupons to area businesses, pencils, tattoos, bottled water and a cookie.

The battle featured 15 teams and 75 readers during its first year and has grown to 22 teams and 107 readers this year.

Below is this year’ reading list:

"NERDS" by Michael Buckley

"Melonhead" by Katy Kelly & Gillian Johnson

"Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Reilly Giff

"11 Birthdays" by Wendy Mass

"Millions" by Frank Cottrell Boyce

"The Indian in the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Banks

"Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin

"The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

"The 100-Year-Old Secret" by Tracey Barrett

"Football Hero" by Tim Green