Let the battle for the books begin | News

MCBAIN – Children from Lake City and McBain gathered at the McBain Community Library to kick off the Battle of the Books reading program on Saturday morning.

“Battle of the Books is a reading program for children in grades four, five and six,” said library director Laura Marion. “It’s a team project where teams of four to five children can read a group of books.

After reading the books, Marion said the teams are in a series of battles, with the big championship taking place on March 12 with teams from Houghton Lake and Roscommon. The winner of the final will receive a statue of Sir Bob, the program mascot, and a plaque.

Marion said this year’s program will feature six teams with nearly 30 participants.

For the kick-off, participants finalized their teams and a parent was appointed to coach each team. The teams then learned about the program rules and the seven books they will need to read.

Attendees also learned the name of Michigan author Danica Davidson, whom they will meet on February 2 during the library’s Michigan Virtual Authors Day.

For kids who’ve never been to McBain before, Marion said Saturday’s kickoff gave them the chance to see a new place in northern Michigan.

“Because we meet at McBain whenever new students who have never done it before, it gives them a chance to see McBain if they are not from McBain and somehow get used to the area,” Marion said.

After learning the rules, participants were then able to express their creative side by coming up with a team name and designing a logo. Marion said team logos will be placed on T-shirts.

After the logos were drawn, she said the library would send them to B and D Classic Sewn, an embroidery store in McBain. The store will put the logos on the jerseys, which the teams will receive during their battle simulation on February 12.

As the kids wrapped things up, Marion said the launch event was a great opportunity to organize everyone and get familiar with the program.

“It’s a great day and it’s exciting to get things done and organize them,” said Marion.