It's a competition like no other.
Friday morning, teams came dressed to compete wearing fun shirts like the "Madera Ranchos Ninjas" and others showed their passion for reading with "I love books" T-shirts.
Fort Miller Middle School student Asia Digirolamo said, "I think there are a lot of competitive people. They came to win. I came to have fun."
From Firebaugh to Madera Ranchos, teams came from all over the valley to test their knowledge in the annual battle of the books.
Fort Miller Middle School student Constance Mcmichaels said, "It's like a fun way for people to get into reading more and I think it actually brings us closer together because we are studying together."
Students were quizzed on their knowledge of 30 books. Many of the teams spent weeks preparing. Their coaches say the book battle is way more than just a competition.
Tenaya Middle School teacher Jane Lum said, "Obviously reading is invaluable as far as I am concerned and I think a lot of parents see that their students come out of their shells and really begin to appreciate what it's like to work in a group, what it's like to be in a team."
Round by round, students worked together to find the right answer, all hoping to stay in the game.
At the end, just two teams will battle it out for the bragging rights and a trophy.
Battle of the book organizers say no matter if the teams win or lose all of the students will walk away with important knowledge and valuable lessons about team work. This is the 8th annual battle of the books.
Organizers say they are now looking at possibly joining the national competition next year.
