CORNELIUS – Bailey Middle School won this year’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Battle of the Books competition, held at Alexander Graham Middle School.

The school represented the district’s Northeast Learning Zone and faced off against Albemarle Road, Carmel and Randolph middle schools. The school beat runner-up Albemarle Road Middle by one point, marking the first time Bailey Middle has won the district title.

“It is such a thrill to see the spirit of camaraderie among kids as they talk about books,” said Bailey Middle media specialist Kay Skipper. “The students are amazing and didn’t bat an eye about reading all 27 titles on the (Battle of the Books reading list).”

The team will go on to represent Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at the Regional Battle of the Books competition March 23 at Gaston College’s Kimbrell Campus in Belmont.