Among the competitors, the fifth-grade team from Riverview Elementary School (RVE), playfully named the Reagale Eaters as a nod to RVE’s aquiline mascot, came out on top after a day of rigorous rounds. Each team was tasked with reading and mastering a list of 12 books — a combined total of more than 2,300 pages — to compete in a trivia-style tournament, answering detailed questions about plot, characters, and themes.
“We decided to host this event for our elementary gifted learners who love to read,” said Emily Urban, Gifted Education Program Specialist for Durango School District (DSD) and one of the event’s lead organizers. “Many gifted students have access to STEM opportunities like Math Olympiad or LEGO League, but Battle of the Books gives our readers a chance to show off their talents in a fun way.”
Urban and Nisia Patalan, Gifted Ed Regional Coordinator with San Juan BOCES, began planning the event in September. Teams were given the official 12-book list from the national Battle of the Books organization, which featured a diverse mix of genres — from classics like Shiloh and The Tale of Despereaux to graphic novels and contemporary reads such as Secret Coders and Ways to Make Sunshine.
The daylong competition featured five preliminary rounds followed by a semi-final and a final championship battle. In all, 155 students from Durango and nearby school districts — including Bayfield, Dolores, Mancos, Dove Creek, and Pagosa Springs — participated in the tournament, held at the Impact Career Innovation Center on the Durango High School campus.
Needham Elementary School students take a well-earned break between rounds during Battle of the Books.
The event tested not only literary comprehension, but also memory and collaboration. Students could earn extra points for correctly naming both the book title and its author, requiring teams to prepare strategically.
“Our teams approached preparation in different ways — some students read all 12 books, while others focused on becoming experts on a few,” said Urban. “Teachers provided the books, helped students track their reading, and created fun ways to practice for the competition day. Along the way, students developed a deeper love for reading, discovered new favorite books they might not have chosen on their own, and learned the value of teamwork and friendly competition.”
Competitors debate how to answer a question about one of 12 books on the reading list for Battle of the Books.
RVE Gifted and Talented Teacher Amee Austin agreed that the event was a perfect springboard for broader lessons.
“We talk about goal setting, follow-through, and grit a lot in here,” said Austin, adding that the competition-winning Reagale Eaters read a combined total of 10,257 pages, out of a possible 11,815. “Students had to share books, support each other, and make sure everyone had time to read. Now that the battle is over, most of them still want to finish reading all 12 — they’re committed to completing what they started.”
For students, the payoff wasn’t just the competition itself, but the journey to get there.
“They’ve had really good self-reflection,” said Maile King, a parent from Park Elementary School (PKE) who volunteered at the event. “They read books they wouldn’t have read otherwise, and they’re very aware of that.”
Maggie Ashby, Gifted and Talented Teacher at PKE, agreed. “The kids did a really good job. They knew they had to read one for the team, and then they told me, ‘That’s a book I never thought I’d read — and I liked it.’ That was pretty cool.”
For Katherine Dudley, Gifted and Talented Teacher at Needham Elementary School, the day was as much about character as content.
“They’re having a great time,” Dudley said. “And the life lessons — being a good sport, being humble if you’re doing great, and proud of your hard work even if you’re not — that’s huge.”
The Battle of the Books concept has been around since the 1940s, originally created by a Chicago librarian to encourage recreational reading. Today, it’s a popular literacy enrichment activity in schools across the country. This year’s launch marks the first time DSD has hosted a regional version, and organizers hope it’s just the beginning.
“We are hoping this will become an annual tradition,” Urban said. “We’re also looking to expand to include a middle school competition in the future.”
As the day came to a close and buses loaded up to return students to their home schools, the energy remained high. Whether they left with a trophy or not, each student walked away with something more lasting — a deeper love for reading and the pride of having risen to the challenge.