2020 Battle of the Books
In 2020, the Battle of the Books Grand Traverse filled all 48 teams slots in less than one day. While we had very successful Mock Battles and an incredible Team Battle Day competition, coronavirus concerns forced the cancellation of the Championship Battle & All-Team Finale with special guest author Ben Hatke. The two advancing teams from Team Battle Day were declared co-champions for 2020.
Of the ten book titles, popular choices among the readers were Absolutely Almost, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, Navigating Early, and Powerless.
Ben Hatke, author of Zita the Spacegirl, did send a short video of congratulations to all the teams.
Congratulations!
Co-Champion Team: D.A.R. Returns
- Shay Ankney
- Natalie Burpee
- Milo Gareiss
- Charlie Hammersley
- Madeline Miller
- Parker Ziegler
Head Coach Nicole Ziegler and Assistant Coach Laura Miller
Co-Champion Team: Page Flipping Phoenixes
- Alexis Ballou
- Tessa Gryc
- Staley Hitchcock
- Olivia Reding
- Maeve Schuck
- Amelia Verschaeve
Head Coach Julie Ballou and Assistant Coach Katie Verschaeve
Team Awards
- Most Creative Team Name ~ We Feel the Need, the Need to Read
- Best Poster and Slogan ~ The Book Navigators “Set Sail into a Good Book.”
- Best Sportsmanship ~ Paperback Professors
- Team Spirit ~ Page Punchers
- Kraken Award for Special Achievement ~ Rebel Readers
Booklist
Sponsors
Special thanks to Hagerty, Leadstar, eFulfillment Service, Sera and Richard Thompson, Anne and Robert Tucker, Hazelnut Kids, Rotary Charities, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, and Traverse Area District Library.