Ruben Hinojosa Elementary, Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School, and Mercedes High School earned first place at the district Battle of the Books competition held Friday, January 26, 2024.
Mercedes ISD began competing in Battle of the Books in 2018, when Region One ESC Library Services and Instructional Resources first hosted the contest. Mercedes High School Librarian Dahlia Saldaña was part of the inaugural committee to establish the ground rules for the regional Battle of the Books competition.
The Battle of the Books consists of teams working together to answer dozens of questions about four pre-selected books. The first-place teams will now represent the Mercedes ISD at the Region One ESC Regional Battle of the Books competition with surrounding school districts.
First Place for the elementary level went to Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School, and members included: Layla Garza, Team Captain, fourth grade; Leah Gonzalez, fourth grade; Tyler Flores third grade; and Lillian Gonzalez, third grade. Maricela Molina is the librarian at Hinojosa Elementary.
Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School secured first place in the middle school category, and members included: Keyla Ochoa, Team Captain, eighth grade; Jose Saldivar, eighth grade; Mariska Cowden, eighth grade; and Jake Peña, eighth grade. Corina Acosta is the librarian at Chacon MS.
First Place for the high school level went to Mercedes High School, and members included: Zachary Sanchez, Team Captain; Nora Gonzalez, Miranda Aleman, and Carlie Rabel. Dahlia Saldaña is the librarian at Mercedes High School.
Along with promoting literacy, the Battle of the Books also prepares students for success in academia and beyond the classroom. The event showcases individual talents while highlighting the collective strength of our school community and school pride.
The top three spots for elementary, middle school, and high school are as follows:
Elementary
1st Place – Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School
2nd Place – Zachary Taylor Elementary School
3rd Place – Zachary Taylor Elementary School
Middle School
1st Place – Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School
2nd Place – Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School
3rd Place – Sgt. William G. Harrell Middle School
High School
1st Place – Mercedes High School
2nd Place – Mercedes High School
3rd Place – Mercedes Early College Academy
The elementary books read this year were “Invisible” by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, “Once Upon a Tim” by Stuart Gibbs, “Solimar: The Sword of the Monarch” by Pam Munoz Ryan and “Thirst” by Varsha Bajaj.
The middle school books read this year were “Hummingbird” by Natalie Lloyd, “Linked” by Gordon Korman, “Starfish” by Lisa Fipps, and “Two Degrees” by Alan Gratz.
The high school books read this year were “Dancing at the Pity Party” by Tyler Feder, “I Must Betray You” by Ruta Sepetys, “Patron Saints of Nothing” by Randy Ribay and “Skyward” by Brandon Sanderson.
Next month, Mercedes ISD will be participating in the Region One “Battle of the Books Jr.” for first and second grade students. The district will host that competition on February 9.
Mercedes High School
Sgt. Manuel Chacon Middle School
Ruben Hinojosa Elementary School