Westmount High School wins EMSB round of Battle of the Books

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 By Julian Taylor

EMSB Pedagogical Consultant|/Librarian

Every year, all EMSB high schools are invited to take part in “The Battle of the Books” (or “BoB” as it is affectionately known as by its participants); a quiz-show style competition where questions are based upon 12 pre-selected Young Adult novels that teams in each school read over the course of the school year. BoB allows students to explore a variety of literary genres while simultaneously developing teamwork skills. 

Launched at the Lester B. Pearson School Board in 2013, the Battle has grown steadily each year to include an increasing number of schools in the Quebec Association of Independent Schools and new this year, the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. At the EMSB, it is an event that is organized by library technicians and librarians in the high schools as well as the Educational Services Department.

¸The victorious Westmount team.

The past few weeks have seen an exciting conclusion for the 2025 season of Battle of the Books here at the EMSB. From the initial six participating school teams, the top four scoring teams, Laurier Macdonald High School, Westmount High School, Royal West Academy, and Vincent Massey Collegiate, competed at 6000 Fielding on the evening of April 22 to see which would be victorious. After an exciting two regular rounds and two lightning rounds, the team from Westmount High School emerged victorious and won the coveted EMSB BoB Championship Banner.

¸Students in action
On the evening of April 29, the team from Westmount High School   travelled to The Study School in Westmount to represent the EMSB in the Ultimate BoB Battle. Competing against them were Pierrefonds Community High School from the Lester B. Pearson School Board, Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School from the Quebec Association of Independent Schools, and Laval Senior Academy from the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. It was another high energy night as all four teams competed to see which team would be crowned the 2025 Ultimate BoB Champion.

Special thanks also to all of the Educational Services professionals who took part again this year in all levels of the Battle of The Books competitions.


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