Our school does something similar called Reader's Rally. It is only open to 4th and 5th graders. DS9 made the team this coming up school year. The only issue for us is that the kids have to read from a list of pre-selected books so everyone is on the same page when it comes time for competition. This makes sense of course, but DS is reluctant because the books are "baby books". He says they are on the same level as Junie B. Jones! They're not of course, but they are in the 3rd-5th grade reading level. The books are good, but when a child is used to reading Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Riordan and Patterson, reading The Chocolate Touch and Fig Pudding doesn't have much appeal. That being said, he is looking forward to the competition and at least being able to be in a group of kids that are all reading the same things. I think he is also looking for discussion, which may not be what we get out of this!
