The anticipation had been building for months, and when the final points were tallied, Skipcha Elementary stood victorious at the conclusion of this year’s Battle of the Books, earning first place with an impressive 56 points. Their win marked the culmination of months of hard work, strategic reading, and an unbreakable team spirit. 
Team captain Karilyn from Skipcha Elementary captured the emotion of the moment with just a few heartfelt words: “It felt really, really, really good. It felt awesome.” Her teammates couldn’t have agreed more as cheers erupted when their names were called as champions of the competition.
The annual Battle of the Books is a district-wide literary challenge that invites elementary students to immerse themselves in a curated list of over 20 award-winning titles. Over the course of several months, students across Killeen ISD form book clubs, read together, and quiz one another in preparation for the big day.
Each team competes from their home campus, responding in real time to a rapid fire series of questions presented virtually by district leadership. The format encourages quick thinking, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the content. Teams must pool their knowledge to respond within a set timeframe, blending individual strengths into one cohesive effort.
With the hiccup of a bad weather day mid-competition, students quickly adjusted to come back the following week and finish out the competition, as if there was no interruption at all. 
Alice W. Douse Elementary claimed second place in the competition, earning 52 points and a flood of celebration. The moment the team heard the results, they jumped for joy, clapped, and cheered, an emotional payoff for months of preparation and dedication.
Just behind them, Nolanville Elementary secured third place with 51 points, rounding out a fiercely competitive top three.
This year’s standout favorites included Don Quixote, ChupaCarter, and Squished, while The Misfits sparked some interesting discussions and mixed reviews. By spring, teams have developed deep familiarity with every title.
Behind the scenes of this literacy competition is a quiet force that drives the event forward: school librarians. Throughout the year, Killeen ISD librarians go beyond their daily routines of nurturing reading habits, curating book selections, and creating welcoming spaces for students including STEM lessons and makers spaces.
More than a competition, Battle of the Books is a celebration of everything libraries stand for: curiosity, community, and the power of stories to transform minds. And it wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of KISD librarians, who champion these values each and every day.
As one chapter closes, another is already beginning. Books have already been chosen and are being finalized for next year’s competition, and students are already eager to flip through their pages.
The pages keep turning, and so does the love of reading.
