Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has revealed the winners of its Summer Reading Challenge- the first instalment of the Department’s Battle of the Books initiative.
Aligning with ADEK’s efforts to foster a reading culture among the youth and nurture a generation of passionate readers, the Summer Reading Challenge saw more than 300 avid readers in grades 7-10 across Abu Dhabi’s public, private, and Charter Schools compete throughout the summer holidays to read as many books across four genres Adventure, Mystery, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Poetry. Highlighting the Challenge’s importance in developing reading habits, participants read over 2,900 English and Arabic books.
The winners won in 14 categories, with five categories naming one winner in English and Arabic including the Summer Bookworm, Awesome Adventurer, Undercover Inspector, Thrill Seeker, and Poetic Heart. Other winners were crowned in categories including Most Diversified Reader, Most Engaged Reader, Most Delightful Reading Nook, and Most Creative Book Collection.
ADEK hosted the 14 Summer Reading Challenge winners at a special celebration at its headquarters, citing their enthusiasm and capacity to act as role model for other students. ADEK also commended the winners and encouraged them to follow their passion for reading to aid ongoing educational success.
Underlining ADEK’s commitment to embed the culture of reading, ADEK launched the Battle of the Books in May, and invited students to enroll in the Summer Reading Challenge. Registering students were tasked to read the biggest number of books in their preferred genre and enter the titles on a digital reading log. Participants were subject to periodic surprise challenges and plot twists.
With the beginning of the new academic year 2022/23, the two—phased team category started with the first phase, running until November, to allow schools to prepare their teams and compete in the in-school training rounds. Around 72 teams will vie for places during inter-school semi-final qualifiers in January and February 2023. Knock-out rounds will continue until the top teams remain for each genre, with each team then going forward to the competition’s Grand Finale.
Coinciding with UAE Reading Month, the March Grand Finale will take the form of a live quiz gameshow with contesting teams battling it out for the championship. The Battle of the Books’ ultimate winning team will lift a champions’ trophy and valuable additional prizes will be awarded in different categories to eligible participating students.
For more information, visit adek.gov.ae or follow ADEK on social media:
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