To the Editor:

The 10th annual Canton Free Library Battle of the Books was a fantastic success thanks to every person who played a part! I’d like to recognize the teams, coaches, families and the valuable volunteers for all they did to make this event special.

We had 12 teams compete in an exciting double-elimination tournament. The following teams participated: The Skypers with Andrew Franklin, Brendan Nolan, Leif Goldie, Cade Cheezum, and Coach Carol Goldie; the Book Nuts with

Grace Davis, Jennah Thompson, Katie Bennett, Natalie Todd, and Coach Heidi Todd; the Rapid Readers with Hailey Jordan, Riley Taylor, Sarah Rodee, Amelia Rodee, and Coach Michelle Rodee; the Geekie Readers with Gabrielle Thomas, James Bailey, Nathaniel Romano, Autumn Ames, and Coach Michelle Perry; the

Chapter Chasers with Paul Cheng, Tyler Foote, Hayden Gustafson, Isabelle Gustafson, and Coach Paula Jones; the 4 Musketeers with Gabby Taylor, Megan Martin, Phoebe Jaskowski, Kayla Larrabee, and Coach Sue Taylor; the Read-A-Lots with Claire Waters, Griffin Scafidi-McGuire, Aarik Felt, Shea Tredo, and Coach Andrea Waters; the Rookie Readers with Katie Metcalf, Laurel Whittier, Emily Estabrooks, Lucy DeCoteau, and Coach Kristen Whittier; the SLEJ Hammers with Lindsey Filliatrault, Sam Sieminski, Etta Coburn, Jack Kerrigan, and Coach Mary Beth Sieminski; the Squirrel-nados with Maya Thomas, Ethan Francey, Kathryn Carvel, Hailey Delorme, and Coach Jen Thomas; the Really Cool Dudes with Julian Newell Dodds, Alexavier Perez, Westley Perez, and Coach Andrea Newell; Geeks in Sneaks with Emma Gainey, Madison Hoy, Drew Harmer, Jonah Longshore, and Coach Sue Longshore.

We were graciously hosted by the First Presbyterian Church of Canton, brackets were printed by Tom Dildine and Dakota Casserly, prizes were donated in memory of Cindy Cubley by a friend, and lunch was donated by the Friends of the Canton Free Library and Dominoes Pizza.

I’d like to give special thanks to volunteers Emily Owen, Ginger Thomas, Donna Smith-Raymond, Jennifer Palumbo, Carol Pynchon, Birdy Nash, Hannah Pfotenhauer, Rorie Newman, Zach Woodley-White, Sam McBroom, and Joseph White for their help.

I am so proud of all the children, especially for the good spirit and hard work, which they demonstrated in the competition! I’m already looking forward to next year!

Valerie White

Youth Services Specialist at Canton Free Library