From Quiet Pages to Loud Cheers: Book Wars Bring Reading to Life
“Shh…this is the library.” Well, not today.
Thirty four middle schools participated in Book Wars, a voluntary reading program that brings together middle school students from across MCPS. Students spent months reading from a curated list of titles, from Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez to The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nick Day. When competition day arrived, teams faced off in a fast-paced trivia showdown, answering multiple choice and short answer questions about the books.
Before the competition began, team introductions transformed the media center at Roberto Clemente Middle School with music, costumes, cheers and a shared love of reading. Representing Districts 2 and 3, students from John Poole, Roberto Clemente, Ridgeview and Julius West middle schools lined up to make their grand entrances, from choreographed dances to mini productions of the book.
During the competition, teams used different strategies to come up with answers. They huddled, whispered or sometimes just guessed. Process of elimination and leaning on teammates who read the book were John Poole’s “High Fives” strategies for success.
The day included five rounds, with lightning rounds in between, before the winner from each district faced off for the grand champion competition. Some students were first-time participants; others were seasoned veterans, returning for another shot. Alongside academics was creativity. Teams also competed for a Team Spirit Award, decorating their tables, choosing group names and showcasing unity through their presentations.
At Clemente, that spirit was everywhere. Julius West’s “Preppy Baddie Ducks” said they picked a name that would be fun. Clemente’s “NewReads” created their team inspired by a K-pop concept, and described themselves as “super shy, but confident for the competition.” Ridgeview’s “Oompa Loompas” were decked out in orange and green.
Book Wars began more than a decade ago as an idea from Tim Dixon, Media Specialist at Rosa Parks Middle School. During his first year, he heard about a program called Battle of the Books and wanted to create something like that for MCPS.
Named after his favorite childhood movie, Star Wars, Book Wars started with just four schools. Today, the program has grown to include nearly every middle school in the district, powered almost entirely by school library staff.
“Book Wars began to celebrate the books and celebrate readers,” Dixon said. “I like to think it was a bright spot in their middle school years—and hopefully encouraged them to become lifelong readers.”
Over the years, the program has evolved into a shared effort among educators, with Media Specialists like Elizabeth Knafelc, Dawn Bowman, Ron Poker and others helping organize the competition.
Its impact reaches far beyond the event itself. Former participants often return to support current teams. Students like Oz, now a senior at Poolesville High School, come back each year and volunteer during the day.
This year’s county championship title went to The Wordy Witches from Herbert Hoover Middle School.
“We’re here because you have a joy of reading,” said Clemente’s Principal Jeffrey Brown. “Hold onto that for the rest of your life. That will take you places and open doors for you…that will serve you well for the rest of your life.”
On World Book Day, that’s something worth celebrating.
