We request approval of the contract with the Tampa Convention Center to host the District Middle School Battle of the Books competition on May 17, 2012.  This event is a districtwide reading enrichment program for students in grades 6 to 8.

The first Middle School Battle of the Books was held in April 2005 with 12 middle schools participating and has increased each year.  Students from 48 schools participated in the 2011 battle and students from the same number of schools are expected to compete in the 2012 district battle.

Students read the current middle school Sunshine State Young Readers titles during the year and take a qualifying test based on the books in the spring.  At each school, the six students with the highest scores are selected to serve on their school's battle team and represent their school at the Middle School District Battle of the Books. Each team competes in four rounds of battle by answering questions about each of the battle books.  The teams score one point for each correct answer and the points are totaled for the four rounds.  The three teams with the highest cumulative score go on to compete in the final battle for the District Battle Cup.

 
The purpose of the Battle of the Books is to increase reading and cultivate a love of reading in our students.  The books used in this program expose students to many different authors and a wide variety of genres.  Students have the opportunity to read books that interest them while practicing their reading skills.