Twelve middle school teams from Johnston County Public Schools competed in the 2026 Battle of the Books Middle School District Competition. The event is part of a state-wide program that encourages students in grades 4-12 to read books from various genres selected by state committees. Each team was responsible for reading 20 books and took part in a quiz-bowl-style tournament.
Kaye Menjivar, JCPS Digital Learning & Media Specialist, commented on the commitment required: “Both students and their team coaches pour a great amount of time and energy into reading and practicing, growing their love for the written word and forming special friendships along the way.”
The competition concluded with Swift Creek Middle winning first place by a one-point margin over Riverwood Middle. North Johnston Middle finished in third place. Participants said the event was about more than just competing for medals.
One student remarked, “I love the atmosphere, the friends I make, and the amazing books I get to read.” Another added, “Books create the opportunity to broaden our knowledge and imagination. Battle of the Books is a good place to connect with other people who have taken the challenge to read books that we might not have read on our own.”
The Swift Creek Middle team will move on to represent their district at the Region 3 Competition on March 21, 2026, at Cedar Ridge High School in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Johnston County Schools serves over 37,000 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across communities in Johnston County, North Carolina. The district fosters cultural diversity with students and families representing more than 45 languages and features state-of-the-art facilities supported by community backing. It is also noted as the largest employer in Johnston County while offering services such as student transportation and nutrition programs. According to its official website (https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/), Johnston County Schools promotes diversity, provides programs in arts, athletics, and student services, and focuses on empowering students to succeed in a global society.
