Heifetz.
The fifth annual Westchester Library System Battle of the Books took place Oct. 20 at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose, where more than 300 young people representing 23 libraries participated.
The Westchester Library System’s Battle of the Books is a fast-paced trivia competition for avid readers entering grades four through 10. There are two separate competitions: a children’s (grades four through six) and a teen (grades six through 10) tournament.
The Eastchester Library Warriors were coached by Children’s Librarian Jonathan Heifetz. After a competitive battle, the Warriors were crowned champions of the grades four through six children’s bracket, beating out 16 other teams before facing off against Briarcliff in the finals.
Team members included Cacie Beades, Will Conway, Charlotte Foley, Nora Foley, Brian LaMons, Max Lin, Justin Mylenski, Victoria Ricotta, Cayden Son, James Song and Mila Sulkowski. There were 25 original participants in the EPL children’s category, but these 11 kids earned a place in the tournament after a local BOB event at the library demonstrating their knowledge, teamwork, and commitment to team practices
Eastchester Library also fielded team Books Strike Back in the teen category, coached by Teen Librarian Amelia Buccarelli. Teen participants included Claire Colasuonno, Naomi Dube, Aaliyah Han, Julia Higgins, Kelly Hyland, Ava Renzo, Sofia Renzo, Chloe Son and Minju Sung.
The Eastchester Public Library has participated in the Battle of the Books event since its creation five years ago, both in the children’s and teen categories. The Eastchester librarians require participants to read all five books, which is not a requirement of the county-wide event.
Children’s tournament books included “Found” by Margaret Peterson Haddix, “All’s Faire in Middle School” by Victoria Jamieson, “Unidentified Suburban Object” by Mike Jung, “Rain Reign” by Ann M. Martin, and “The Unwanteds” by Lisa McMann.
Teen tournament books included “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard, “The Naturals” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, “Girl in the Blue Coat” by Monica Hesse, “Delirium” by Lauren Oliver, and “Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie” by Jordan Sonnenblick.
