Mission, Texas- It is an annual literary battle between students in grades 3-5. The Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) Battle of the Bluebonnet Books was held this week. The quiz-show style contest pits teams of students from the district’s elementary schools against each other. Teams of three students are challenged with answering a series of questions about each of the books on the Texas Library Association Bluebonnet Reading List. The concept was first introduced by, then, Bryan Elementary School librarian, Charlyn Trussell, nine years ago.
This year’s winning team is from Bryan Elementary School. Their team consisted of Ayesha Mumtaz, Jacqueline Botello, Alonso Gonzalez. This coming spring, this team will now represent Mission CISD in a Region One Education Service Center (ESC) version of this contest. It will be the first time the ESC has held a regional Bluebonnets contest.
The Midkiff Elementary School team took the second place trophy. Their team members were: Liliana Gonzalez, Bianca Montelongo, Mellanny Rivas-Lopez.
Mission CISD librarians have used the Texas Library Association Bluebonnet Book Awards program and reading list to help encourage elementary school students to read a wide variety of books. The Bluebonnet Book list consists of 20 different books, selected by a committee of librarians from the Texas Library Association.
Pictured are the Battle of the Bluebonnet Books winning team accepting their trophies. On the front row are: Ayesha Garcia Mumtaz, Jacqueline Botello, Alonso Gonzalez. On the back row are: Lolly Pena, coordinator for library services and instructional technology; Elizabeth Mendez, Bryan Elementary School librarian; Frances Sanchez, executive director for elementary education.
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