Congratulations to the seven Alki Elementary 4th and 5th graders who comprise George’s Magicians Treasure! As you can see and hear in that celebratory clip, the Alki team that co-won the citywide Global Reading Challenge is now the international champion too, after the final videoconference competition, held on Friday with Alki, co-Seattle winners Adams Elementary, and two schools from Canada! Alki librarian Laurie Iba shared the video and a photo, while telling the final chapter in this exciting tale:

How do you make it to the Video Global Reading Challenge?

You begin by reading 10 books starting in November. You quiz each other on the details of each book. You read the books again and again and again. In February you win your School Challenge by getting all the answers correct. You continue to read and quiz each other.

In March you win the Semi-Final round missing only one question. You continue to read and quiz each other. In April you win the Citywide Challenge by getting all the answers correct. You continue to read and quiz each other. That leads us to (Friday).

Alki’s winning team left school (Friday) morning before school began and boarded a Metro bus bound for the John Stanford Center. Once there we waited for the other Citywide winning team, Adams Elementary. We also waited for the tech guys to get the video conference equipment working so we could see the two British Columbia winning teams.

Finally with everything working, the Challenge began. After each question was read, answers written and turned in, the answer was given and everyone was told who got the questions correct.

In the 1st round Alki and Adams were tied, with both Canadian teams missing at least one question.

In the middle of the 2nd round, Adams missed a question, which gave Alki the edge.

In the third round Adams missed a second question. With two questions left, Alki was getting nervous. Could they pull off another perfect score? Next question correct. Now no matter what, Alki has it clinched! They must have realized it as the last question they answered was not correct, but it didn’t matter. All that hard work had paid off.

Alki’s win brings the Video Conference plaque back to the U. S.. It will reside at Alki Elementary until next year’s Video Global Reading Challenge.

Thanks also to Kathleen for the heads-up last night on the team’s big win – she adds, “Nice job Alex, Alina, Carl, Georgia, Gracie, Jaylen, and Marcus!!”