no MaryFan, not all kids need to be bought. Congratulations to your team and to the volunteers that helped them. My school won as well. I did not mean to apply that these kids deserve more. These kids do not need that, there is so much self pride in what they did. What I was trying to do was work on keeping this alive. Participation is dropping. I was trying to reach out to the kids that weren't aware of this contest or think this type of thing is "not cool". I would really love to see more kids lost in a book, than hanging on the streets. If the librarians are cut, the teachers don't have the time, and the parents aren't aware or don't care, how else to motivate these kids to read?

The kids on my team were happy with the ribbons they received Tuesday night. Not all kids need to be bought.

djclad - your are right If I were a teacher (of course dedicated myself to the education of the youth, I would promote this. I would spent personal money to reward these students. It would not bother me. (maybe could be reimbused, but not the objective.) On the other hand, I do see where teachers are very overwhelmed and as a parent I would also reward my child for trying.

The Fried Bookworms were not in the paper because the photographer left before the first semi-final round was over. I was told he had to get to Craig to take pictures at the basketball game. Odd thing is, he left about 45 minutes before the game started...plenty of time to take pictures at least in the beginning of the second semi-final match. I tried everything I could to get a picture in the paper, but received no answer.

Way to go Hedberg and all who helped make this a success...again! Also, great posting on the web for all to see.

I can't understand why the school district wouldn't support this. If it is because the shortage of librarians (hmmmm), then why can't the teachers step up.

Great job to ALL kids who gave it their all. I participated in the 1st BOB, and it is a great challenge.

MikeF - promote and be cost effective...ummm....hedberg could email info to their clientelle. I know I get email about late books (ha ha I have PAID alot of money in late fees, hey! for the cause)
Gazette could post the list of books and encourage friends to unite in a team. We could ask a publisher or even an author to sponsor it. We could give out better prizes. Not that a trophy isn't great. IT IS!!! but how about a skating session at the ice arena, it's already staffed. Maybe passes to a movie. Movie theatres could give this and be noted in the media as advertisement. The movie is already running. Does it matter that 4 or 5 kids extra is watching it? Offer something that the kids would like, to encourage them to read. As a parent, I wouldn't be against an admission fee.
If you are serious about promoting this, I really think I could do it.

MikeF: Thanks for the link to the photo. I never expected "Fried Book Worms" to be so darn cute! Great job, girls. And to all who took part in the competition, you should be proud of yourselves ... I know that we, the public, are proud of you!

A picture of the winning team can be found on the library's website at http://www.hedbergpubliclibrary.org/bob..... (The library staff ROCKS!! )
Jayelibar, this was the second year that Hedberg Library's staff has run the competition. Both years, parents were invited to coach teams to enter. Last year there were about 20 independent teams, but this year there were 6. I agree there needs to be more participation, but how to make that happen? Anyone have any ideas for promoting it?

Good Job St. Paul's. Good job to ALL the students, even the ones that read and lost at the school level. At least they tried. I understand the fact that the school board had to cut librarians I understand the fact that the school board felt the need to cut librarians from public school, who organized this, but it really hurt the promotion of this endeavor. I believe in the battle of the books, as my child read all these books and her comprehension level went way up. Now she can understand her Social Studies and Science. I think before they cut librarian, they should have looked at their own salaries. If they live in Janesville, they know that everyone is sacrificing. I really believe they should too. Shouldn't they? Are they realizing these kids will be taking care of them some day?

On another note, since the public school system does not support the Battle of the Books, I hope that Hedberg steps up and asks parent to participate, entering their own teams, and keep this little undertaking alive. I sincerely hope they have the capability of making this bigger. It’s educational and healthy. For example, one of the books on the list this year was Paul Revere’s rides. OMG, thought he was famous for one ride, oh no, he did so many more and did some incredible things for our country.

Go St Pauls!

Good Job to all the kids who were a part of the tournament!
It's nice to see kids still read!

Exactly! My little cousin was in the winning team last year, and now...nothing! Where are the boys???

Sounds like a great event! I'll back anything that gets kids to read books. I am also disappointed to see no photo of the winning team. I would love to see what "Fried Book Worms" look like. And, what happened to the boys this year?

From what I was told, the photographer had to leave before the final match up. In fact, the two teams pictured were in the first semi-final match, so perhaps the photographer left before the second semi-final match occurred? Apparently there was another event that was more newsworthy happening.

The headline says "Winners named in Battle of Books." So, where is a picture of the winners?

Congratulations!! Great job by students and teachers. You are setting an example.

Congratulations, kids and teachers! A real feel-good story.

Good job everyone! It was exciting to watch the matches. There was a lot of suspense in the room with each question. I look forward to next year's Battle.