ROCKY POINT, NC - Students from across Pender County gathered at Cape Fear Middle School for this year’s Middle School Battle of the Books. Teams spent weeks reading from the list of 20 selected titles and came ready to put that work to use.
The competition moved quickly. There are no buzzers, teams are on the clock for each question, so they have to talk it through, agree on an answer, and respond before time runs out. That time limit adds pressure, but it also keeps everyone focused and working together. Between rounds, students compared notes, regrouped with their coaches, and got ready for the next set of questions.
Congratulations to Topsail Middle who earned the title for 2026. Surf City Middle edged Penderlea School by seven points to claim second place. Thanks to the students who participated and represented their schools well!
We also appreciate the coaches who helped students prepare and the Cape Fear team for hosting, along with everyone who volunteered to help with timing, scoring, and setup.
