Mansfield elementary schools to host “Battle of the Books”

by Chad Jones

Tomorrow, on April 25, nine Mansfield ISD elementary campuses will come together for the annual Battle of the Books.

During this event, roughly 64 teams composed of five book-club students will compete against each other to answer questions about the books they have read throughout the year. The team that answers the most questions correctly will be recognized with medals, ribbons and the glory of God Almighty.

Some sources say the Battle of the Books started back when Glenn Harmon Elementary teachers were looking for a culminating, end-of-the-year activity for their book club. Others believe these annual feats of mental strength can actually be traced back to the dawn of civilization as we know it, as they represent an essential allegory of the eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil, light and dark, truth and ignorance.

Either way, the competition will take place at the R.L. Anderson Elementary complex located at 1016 Magnolia Street in Mansfield.

This year's participating campuses include: Charlotte Anderson, Willie Brown, Kenneth Davis, Imogene Gideon, Glenn Harmon, Alice Ponder, Mary Jo Sheppard, Roberta Tipps and Tarver-Rendon.