What is the ICSAtlanta Elementary Book Team? What is REquired? How Can I Get INvolved?

ICSAtlanta has two Reading Bowl Teams (Book Teams). One is our elementary team (for 4th and 5th graders), and the other is our middle school book team (for 6th through 8th graders). Both teams compete for ICSAtlanta in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, a statewide "quiz bowl" style competition. Students are required to read a specific list of 10 books by November 2027 (4 books must be completed by the week of August 18th). 

**Please note: Elementary team books have a reading level of at least mid-4th grade, and middle school books have a level of at least 6th grade. Some books explore sensitive topics. Students who participate are required to read all 10 books in order to be selected for our competitive team.

Required summer reading for the Elementary School Team: Annotated list for Elementary School (4th and 5th grade) 

1. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

2. Into the Rapids by Anna Braden

3. Monster Locker by Jorge Aguirre

4. Spark by Chris Baron

Selection Process:

(1) Book team coaches and administration will review students who express an interest in joining ICSAtlanta's book teams. Students who meet the requirements below will be notified and REQUIRED to read at least 4 books from the reading list over the summer.

Factors considered before student selection:

• Academics (grades, Milestones scores, and/or teacher recommendation)

• Behavior (NO in-school or out-of-school suspensions 2025-2026)

• Attendance (low rates of absenteeism and/or tardiness)

• Commitment to meet once per week during the 2026-2027 school year

(2) Those selected and notified before the end of the current school year will be tested in early August on the 4 required summer reading books. Those who meet a minimum score on this test will be invited to meet once weekly after school to discuss the books, write practice questions, and have practice competitions. **At this point, students selected will be required to pay a club fee of $250 to participate.

(3) In early December, students will be given a 100-question test over all ten books. Our Reading Bowl coaches will select up to ten students (as determined by book-test scores, behavior, effort in practice sessions, etc.) to represent ICSAtlanta in the Fulton County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl (HRRB). Students selected for the team will receive a book team t-shirt.

If our book teams win first or second place in the Fulton County HRRB, they will participate in further competitions. 

Students can purchase books, check books out from the library, read eBooks, or listen to audiobooks. Check your local library for many FREE ebook and audiobook options! Students who do not read the books over the summer will not be invited to participate further. The full list of books can be found at: Full Book List.