The 2026–27 Battle of the Books reading lists for elementary students are now available, according to a September 10 report from Rock Canyon.
Battle of the Books is a reading program where students read selected books and work in teams to answer questions about them. The competitions are designed to help students practice teamwork, strengthen reading comprehension, and discover new authors and books.
The third and fourth grade reading list includes titles such as The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Freckle Juice by Judy Blume, and Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Other included books are Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare by Gene Barretta, Bobbie the Wonder Dog: A True Story by Tricia Brown, Tornado by Betsy Byars, The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling, Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary, Frindle by Andrew Clements, The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming, InvestiGators by John Patrick Green, The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly, Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr, Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka, I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919 by Lauren Tarshis, and The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner, as well as You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter.
The fifth and sixth grade reading list includes The White Mountains (Tripods Series #1) by John Christopher, Ice Magic by Matt Christopher, Who Was Neil Armstrong? by Roberta Edwards, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein, Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones, Masterminds by Gordon Korman, Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras, The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Scared Stiff by Willo Davis Roberts, Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Holes by Louis Sachar, Strong Like the Sea by Wendy Swore, and Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team by Audrey Vernick.
Students interested in participating should contact their school librarian or media specialist for information regarding program details and how to get involved.
