A group of Grade 5 students from Squamish Elementary School (SES) took top spot this week in the sixth annual Reading Link Challenge.
The Book Minions -Mikaela Read, Rachel Cranfiel, Molly Copeland, Samuel Misquitta, Finn Delves, Max Richard and Briana Burke - outscored six other teams of students in a contest that tested their knowledge of the plots, characters and other details six age-appropriate books of fiction.
The challenge, which took place Monday (March 10) at Eagle Eye Theatre, has grown in popularity, said Kate Inman, Squamish Public Library children's and youth librarian. While all six Squamish Sea to Sky District elementary schools have been part of the challenge at various times in the past, this was the first time that all six have competed at once.
Each of the six schools staged "playdowns" to determine which would compete at this week's Squamish final, attended by about 150 enthusiastic spectators. What's more, the Squamish Montessori School also fielded a team in the finals.
Afterward, participants enjoyed cake and juice in the Howe Sound Secondary School multipurpose room.
"It has really grown," Inman said of the challenge, designed to encourage an interest in books and promote reading comprehension. "It's such a nice program because everybody wins."
Members of the winning team hail from Mme. Farstad's and Mme. Verbeek's Grade 5-6 French immersion classes as SES.
For the challenge, students are asked to read six books and then answer questions testing their knowledge of the plots and other details. The six books chosen for this year's challenge included The Sky Is Falling by Kit Pearson, The Paper House by Lois Peterson, Alvin Ho by Lenore Look, The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, Poppy by Avi and Everest by Gordon Korman.
The challenge is a partnership between the Squamish Public Library and District 48. Inman thanked Vision Wealth Management Ltd., Guardian Engravings, Starbucks, Nesters and the Friends of the Library and the District of Squamish for their support.
