Clash of Literary Titans in the Championship Game of Tournament of Books 2024
Unleashing Reading Passion at the 2024 Tournament of Books
The annual battle of bibliophile brilliance, the Tournament of Books, descended upon the Kingwood Branch Library on March 23, 2024. This thrilling literary event showcased three fierce teams of young readers as they pushed their boundaries and dived headfirst into the world of young adult literature.
The Tournament of Books, a perennial favorite for teen readers in grades 9 -12, is a highly competitive book club designed to stimulate a love for reading. Teams of four or five attentive bookworms join forces to tackle a diverse list of twelve books chosen by the library's Literacy staff. The books selected are a captivating mixture of diversity, relatable subject matter, originality, and unforgettable story arcs, thereby promoting literacy and providing a platform for readers to find their personal journeys mirrored in the books while exploring the lives of others.
Beginning in December 2023, enthusiastic participants have met with their dedicated librarians each month for enlightening book parties. These gatherings were filled with engaging and thought-provoking games, reviews, and discussions that adeptly prepared the competitors for the showdown, transforming them into determined readers.
This year's competition brought together returning battlers – the Library Agents from Atascocita Branch Library and the Kingwood Branch Library's Probably Not Your Average Readers. Their rivalry echoed the classic match-ups like Houston vs Dallas or Slytherin vs Gryffindor. To spice things up, the Book Brigade threw their hat into the ring as well, reminding everyone that in this game, any team had a chance to triumph!
Family and friends eagerly attended the Championship Game, with each team showcasing their spirit in themed outfits. The Book Bash played host to debonair spies, a stealthy Book Brigade in matching camouflage, and your not-so-average readers sporting paper hats and whimsical dragon bookmarks. Two exciting rounds, a Book Trivia quiz testing the participants' book knowledge, and an Open-Ended Response challenge that asked the teens to express how the books had impacted them, set the stage for the heated competition.
In the end, Probably Not Your Average Readers held onto their title as Tournament of Books Champions, with Library Agents claiming the runner-up position, and the resilient Book Brigade notching third place. All teams received prizes, with first place winners scoring Kindle Fires, second and third places receiving gift cards, and every teen taking home a prize book to bolster their personal library. The librarians, educators, and caregivers were rewarded with an overwhelming display of the teens' infectious enthusiasm for reading.
Thank you to the participants, their educators, and school librarians, the Tournament of Books team coordinators, the judges, and especially our cherished Friends of the Harris County Public Library. The 2023-2024 Tournament of Books was sponsored by Friends of the Harris County Public Library and the HEB Tournament of Champions grant. Discover how you can join the library's supporters by "Becoming a Friend of the Library."
Explore the reading list for the 2024 Tournament of Books below.
Tournament of Books 2024 Reading List
Going Bicoastal, Dahlia Adler
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen, Isaac Blum
Throwback, Maurene Goo
Chaos & Flame, Tessa Gratton
We Are All So Good at Smiling, Matthew J. Kirby
Kaiju No. 8. 1, Amber McBride
Numb to This, Naoya Matsumoto
The Luis Ortega Survival Club, Kindra Neely
Give Me a Sign, Sonora Reyes
The Sunbearer Trials, Anna Sortino
Victory. Stand!, Aiden Thomas
View Full List
- The Tournament of Books, a competition that promotes literacy and encourages a love for reading among teens, incorporates books like 'Give Me a Sign' and 'The Sunbearer Trials' from the 2024 Tournament of Books reading list.
- During the Annual Battle of Bibliophile Brilliance, competitors showcase their dedication to reading by not only discussing books like 'The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen' and 'Kaiju No. 8. 1', but also participating in games and debates at the Kingwood Branch Library.
- Teams of engaged readers, such as the Probably Not Your Average Readers and the Library Agents, delve into various sports metaphors, just like in sports-betting, as they compete in the Tournament of Books, a literary marathon that takes place at the library.
