About The Reading Games

Who can participate?

The Reading Games is open to all District 58 and District 61 children in 3rd – 8th grade. Students should form their own team with a minimum of five children and a maximum of eight children. Teams can be co-ed, all boys, or all girls. If a student does not have a team, we connect them with a school liaison to find a placement. Teams can also have students from different schools or different grades within their book list category:

• Book List 1: Grades 3-4

• Book List 2: Grades 5-8

Each team will need an adult team leader to register the team for the event, act as a point person for all communications, and help their team prepare for The Reading Games competition day.

On Game Day, teams will also need a second adult chaperone as well as an adult volunteer to help with the Games as moderator or scorekeeper (this volunteer will NOT be in contact with their team during the event).

What books will the students read?

Each team will collectively read 9 books (on average, each child will read two titles) from a list selected by Reading Games Committee Members, District 58 Teacher Librarians, and a Children's Librarian at the Downers Grove Public Library.

Book List 1 - Grades 3 & 4

Book List 2 - Grades 5 - 8

How does the competition run?

Wondering what the day of The Reading Games will look like? Last year's schedule is posted below, and here are some key details:

• The Reading Games is split into two different sessions: Book List 1 in the early morning, and Book List 2 mid-day.

• In each session, every team will participate in three rounds, competing against a different team in each round. 

• Each matchup of 2 teams is assigned a classroom with a moderator and scorekeeper (adult volunteers that teams provide when registering). The moderator will take turns asking each team a question out loud, and a team captain will have 20 seconds to provide an answer.

• Questions are formatted trivia-style about the books on the Reading List, with answers found directly within the text. Questions will not be asked regarding overall themes or publishing details.

  • • YES: What is the name of the narrator in Book A?
    • YES: What town was the school in Book B located in?
    • NO: Who was the author of Book A?
    • NO: What message did the author of Book B want to focus on?

• On average, a team can expect to answer 18-20 questions per round. A full list of rules can be found *Link coming soon*, and these rules are also shared with team leaders during registration. 

In the past, The Reading Games was hosted in District 58 middle schools, with the following timeline:

The schedule for Saturday, February 22, 2025 was:

List 1: 

Teams arrive 8:25am

Round 1 begins 8:45am

Awards to start around 10:30am

List 2: 

Teams arrive 12:25pm

Round 1 begins 12:45pm

Awards to start around 2:30pm

Because the teams compete against each other in classrooms, spectators are not allowed. However, since each team is accompanied by two adult chaperones, a parent can observe their team by volunteering for that role. Also, the awards ceremony typically does not have space for additional spectators.