EMSB’S “Battle of the Books” Competition Set For April 19

Organized by the EMSB’s Education and Technology Services (ETS), “Battle of the Books” will test the teams’ detailed knowledge of 10 pre-selected young adult books that the students have read prior to the competition. The winners will go on to represent the EMSB in the “Ultimate Battle” on Tuesday, April 25, also hosted by ETS in the EMSB Administration Building.  The winning team will compete for the city-wide title against the winning teams from the Lester B Pearson School Board (LBPSB) and the Quebec Association of Independent Day Schools.  

EMSB Librarian Paul Grewal notes that “Battle of the Books” is a fun and engaging way for students and their families to get excited about reading, while also building confidence and teamwork skills.  Started at the LBPSB in 2013, the Battle has steadily grown each year to include an increasing number of schools from across the city.  This will be the second year that the EMSB will hold its own elimination game at the Board level to determine a finalist for the Ultimate Battle.

The EMSB “Battle of the Books” on April 19 will include appearances by special guests Sruti Islam, marketing assistant at Drawn & Quarterly Publishers; Alex Manley, poet and author; Matthew Shapiro, EMSB teacher and guitarist in the popular band Young Galaxy; and Annette MacIntyre, EMSB librarian. The Ultimate Battle on April 25 will feature special guests Elias Makos, host and producer of Breakfast Television; Trudie Mason, CJAD newscaster and radio host; Monique Polak, teacher, journalist and author of books for young adults.

ETS would like to thank CBC Canada Reads, Drawn & Quarterly, Livres Babar and Librairie Paragraphe for supporting this event. Admission is free to the competition, and is open to the public.