Lake George Elementary School has been a part of Battle of the Books since it started in 2011. This year, on March 11, 2025, a new generation of young readers from the third to sixth grade will step onto the battlefield of knowledge at SUNY Adirondack.
The journey begins each October, as students start a five-month reading odyssey. Their mission? To dive into ten selected books – five fiction and five nonfiction. This year’s lineup, a carefully curated selection, is constantly refreshed, with one book swapped out annually to keep the challenge fresh and exciting.
Kassidy Pipikis, a seasoned Battle of the Books competitor, is ready to once again dive into a world of words. Now in her second year, the fifth-grader from Lake George Elementary School has already made a name for herself as a dedicated reader.
“I’m kind of a bookworm, so this is just my thing,” Kassidy shared. “My favorite part is the competition. We all go to SUNY Adirondack, and last year, the fourth-grade team even placed third!”
The competition is a tough test. Students have to understand what they read, think critically about the books, and work well together as a team. “They really need to dig into the stories and facts to do well,” said Bridget Crossman, Lake George Elementary School Librarian.
“My favorite book this year is “Ban This Book,” said Kassidy. “It has so much drama and teamwork going on, just like the competition.”
Lake George Elementary School students will continue their hard work until the March competition for the ultimate goal of emerging victorious, armed with knowledge and a passion for reading.