CHAUTAUQUA — Chautauqua Institution is proud to present the Chautauqua County Battle of the Books, an exciting reading competition for county fifth-graders at 3 p.m. Saturday in the amphitheater on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution.

Now in its third year, and again with financial support from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Cummins Inc. Jamestown Engine Plant, the Battle of the Books has grown to 33 teams from 12 county schools — roughly 160 students. Over the course of the winter, the students have each read pre-assigned books ranging from fiction to nonfiction, graphic novels and poetry, and on Saturday, they will be quizzed on those books in an academic competition.

“The Battle of the Books is many things: a reading competition with all the excitement of a sporting event, a costume contest, even at times a dance party,” said Karen Schiavone, manager of special studies and youth programs at Chautauqua Institution, who also serves as co-coordinator of the Battle. “The love these students have for reading is inspiring and infectious.”

In addition to getting students excited about reading, Battle of the Books also improves reading comprehension, builds vocabulary, and teaches teamwork and good sportsmanship. Teams of five students and one adult coach each read the same 12 pre-assigned books over five months. Selected in conjunction with Chautauqua Institution’s CLSC Young Readers Program, titles include a wide range of reading levels and subjects. All teams receive a set of books. In addition to reading the books, teams choose a team name then dress accordingly.

During the “battle,” a moderator will ask 50 trivia questions that relate to one of the following: a direct quote from one of the book characters; a statement about something that happens in the book; a passage taken directly from the book; details about an illustration or picture. Winning teams receive prizes.

“Encouraging and celebrating reading is laying the groundwork for a love of lifelong learning,” said Sara Toth, lecture associate and communications coordinator, and co-coordinator of Battle of the Books. “When you’re at the Battle of the Books, it doesn’t matter if you’re the best reader there is, or a struggling one. It’s just about the pure joy of finding a book that you love.”

Rounding out the day’s festivities, Chautauqua Institution is also holding a Summer Adventure Fair on Odland Plaza from 1 to 3 p.m., featuring area organizations discussing their summer youth programs, whether recreational or academic in nature. Participating groups include Girl Scouts of Western New York and Infinity Visual and Performing Arts and YMCA Camp Onyahsa, among others.

The Summer Adventure Fair and the Battle, are free and open to the public.

Visit www.chq.org/battleofthebooks for more information, including the 2019 reading list and photos from previous Battle of the Books.