A total of 17 children competed in the city competition for the best reader by reading aloud from their favorite books and reading from a foreign book.

A friendly dragon, cheeky and courageous children, wizards, witches, magical creatures and wild footballers were guests at the Lebenstedt City Library last Monday and experienced turbulent adventures and thrills. All these characters were brought to life by girls and boys from the fourth primary school class in this year's Salzgitter reading competition.

After two rounds, the jury had the difficult task of evaluating their scores and selecting the best reader from among the very good readers. "It was not an easy decision, especially after a top-class first round. However, Joshua Mescheder secured victory with a magnificent presentation from the book 'Das verrückte Klassenzimmer'," said Barbara Henning, deputy director of the city library and jury member.

After a brief moment of bewilderment, Joshua, who had recited the text about the witchy Mrs. Eulenstein in a particularly beautiful and lively way, was delighted.

Karin Verstegen, Chairwoman of the Salzgitter Library Association and member of the jury, is convinced that the reading competition has a rewarding effect: it is fun and interesting to immerse oneself in books and stories that one has chosen oneself. At its best, reading aloud awakens a desire to read books and to read for oneself, she continued. The children got to know great books in the competition and also beforehand.

That's why all participants won, and they were also delighted to receive a winner's certificate and a book gift.

The jury had high praise for the city's elementary school, which had organized the preliminary round of the city competition and selected the respective school winners.