Secondary Students Compete in White Pine Battle of the Books 2025

On Tuesday, May 6, the spirit of reading and friendly competition was alive and well as secondary students from across the Durham Public and Durham Catholic District School Boards gathered for the annual White Pine Battle of the Books, hosted by the public libraries of Durham Region.

 

This exciting literary showdown saw teams of students test their knowledge on up to ten selected novels from the Forest of Reading White Pine Category, showcasing their dedication, teamwork, and love of reading. After a series of intense rounds, St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering proudly secured third place.

 

The students' commitment to the extracurricular program and to reading so many novels as a team is truly worth celebrating. Congratulations to Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School and Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School who placed in the top eight, with Notre Dame landing in a three-way tie for fourth at an impressive 180 points! After the battle had finished, students enjoyed a Q&A session with author Matteo L. Cerilli.

 

The event continues to be a highlight of the school year, thanks to the tireless efforts of teacher-librarians who mentor and inspire students to engage deeply with literature.

A huge congratulations to all secondary student participants for making this year’s Battle of the Books a resounding success!