A few Mount Vernon fourth graders nabbed the attention of Atlanta’s WSB-TV, Channel 2 this summer for their commitment to learning. The three boys, Jalen Gardner, Brendan Utz, and DJ Bassett took on the ultimate challenge by participating in a Battle of the Books. Created by Jalen’s godmother, Kathy Mayo, the group agreed to participate by reading eight books.
Multiplying their efforts and holding one another accountable, the boys met every other week at ice cream shops around Atlanta, to discuss the stories, answer each others’ questions, and to prepare for their final competition at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Roswell. The student to correctly attribute the most quotes to the corresponding books was Jalen. Each of the participants received a T-shirt, an individual reading medal, and a certificate.
Congratulations Jalen Garder, DJ Bassett, and Brendan Utz! What a well spent summer!
Read the WSB Story
Jalen’s, Brendan’s, and DJ’s Reading List
The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain
Ungifted by Gordon Korman
Home Court by Amar’e Stoudemire
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
No Talking by Andrew Clements
Punished! by David Lubar
The Nina, the Pina, and the Vanishing Treasure by Jill Santopolo
Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom by Joan Holub
One Summer, Three Boys and Eight Books
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