Battle of the Books Competition 2025
CLEARWATER, Fla. — April 23, 2025 — While readers across the globe observe World Book Day, students from Plato Academy Schools marked the occasion in a uniquely competitive and collaborative way—by putting their literary knowledge to the test in the annual Battle of the Books competition—culminating months of preparation that included reading a curated series of titles and advancing through semifinals focused on understanding the content they’ve read.
The event brought together upper elementary and middle school students from multiple campuses to compete in a trivia-style showdown that challenged their comprehension, recall, and teamwork.
The competition, a favorite tradition within the Plato community, is designed to promote reading for pleasure while encouraging collaboration across grade levels.
Elementary Division: Fierce but Friendly
Fourth and fifth graders from three campuses took center stage in the elementary division:
- Palm Harbor – The Thunderbooks
- St. Petersburg – Biblios (“Βιβλίο” means “Book” in Greek)
- Tampa – Warriors
After several intense rounds, St. Petersburg’s Biblios took first place with a strong showing of both accuracy and enthusiasm. Palm Harbor’s Thunderbooks claimed second place, followed closely by Tampa’s Warriors in third.
Middle School Division: A Display of Strategy and Insight
In the middle school division, teams of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders tackled more complex questions with poise and precision. This year’s contenders included:
- Palm Harbor – The Underdogs
- St. Petersburg – Alpha Readers
- Trinity – Plot Twisters
In a dramatic finish, Palm Harbor’s Underdogs defied their name and emerged victorious, securing first place. St. Petersburg’s Alpha Readers earned second place, and Trinity’s Plot Twisters rounded out the podium in third.
Beyond the Books
This event is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of literacy, perseverance, and the lifelong love of reading that Plato Academy strives to instill in every student. The Battle of the Books is a shining example of how literature can inspire curiosity, confidence, and community.
