Lackawanna County kids battle in book knowledge
Published: August 7, 2009
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MOSCOW - With brows furrowed and brains in gear, the teammates leaned across the table to whisper their answers in hushed, excited tones.
Thursday evening marked the first "Junior Battle of the Books" in Lackawanna County, and the 30 fourth- through sixth-graders representing six county libraries were ready to answer questions. They had been preparing for weeks, cramming their brains with information on four books: "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney; "Scat" by Carl Hiaasen; "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis; and "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliett..
In the end, the team from Taylor Community Library took home the gold trophy, but students from Valley, North Pocono, Green Ridge, Abington and Dalton community libraries also took home certificates and gift cards to Borders.
Christina Brannon, 11, of Old Forge, was the captain of Taylor's team. She was excited after her team's win.
"I'm always a big reader," she said. "I love reading."
Madeline Condon, 11, of Scranton, was the captain of the Green Ridge team, which came in second.
"They really asked detailed questions," she said.
Juli Burok, the children's program coordinator at Green Ridge, helped prepare some of those questions, in addition to coaching her team.
"I think it's wonderful that they're all so dedicated," she said.
For Kelly Pulice, the children's librarian at North Pocono, the event was an earmark in learning and good sportsmanship. One of her teammates said, "We got third, I'm thrilled."
Like her fellow librarians, Mary Garm, the Lackawanna County Library System administrator, read all four books and was impressed with the students' attention to detail. Research has shown the importance of children curling up with a book on their vacation, she said.
"Reading over the summer helps children maintain their reading skills," Ms. Garm said.
Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com
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