High school hosts inaugural Battle of the Books, team named winner

Plainfield South High School team Hydes and Seeks secured victory in the inaugural high school Battle of the Books event on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The competition featured eight teams representing four local high schools: Plainfield High School-Central Campus, Plainfield South High School, Plainfield North High School, and Plainfield East High School.

In the final round, Hydes and Seeks overcame The Bookworms from Plainfield East High School. The Battle of the Books challenges teams to read and answer questions on five books nominated for the Abraham Lincoln Award.

Lisa Marcum, the media center specialist at Plainfield High School-Central Campus, organized and hosted the event. She expressed pride in the competition, noting the collective effort required to make it happen. "This event was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in my career," she stated. "Seeing high school students come together to share their love of reading was truly inspiring."

The Battle of the Books has been a feature in District 202 middle schools for over ten years. The high school competition included the following teams:

From Plainfield High School-Central Campus: Done Last Minute, Eyes on the Prize.

From Plainfield South High School: Hydes and Seeks, Textbook Divas.

From Plainfield North High School: 4 Funky Frogs and a Fornelli, Paperbachs.

From Plainfield East High School: The Reading Rocks, The Bookworms.