Battle of the Books

Battle of the Books is an optional reading program for BSS students in grades 3-8. It is a great way for students to be introduced to new books in the form of friendly competition. For those of you who are new to the program, it works like this:

There are three separate battles/divisions: one for third grade, one for fourth and fifth grade combined, and one for middle school students. Battles take place during the school day. Each division has its own book list, and teams divide up the list to ensure that all books are being read by at least one teammate.  On battle day, teams are asked questions about the books they have read.  All questions are asked in this format: “In what book …..?” and the answer is the title of the book.  For example, “In what book are a pig and a spider best friends?” The answer would be Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. Teammates are able to discuss their thoughts before answering.  Teams get extra points the day of the battle if they know the authors of the books, so students should be studying those too!

This year's dates:

Middle School Battle: March 9

3rd Grade and 4th-5th Grade: March 11

3rd Grade Battle of the Books List 2026

1. Aven Green, Baking Machine by Dusti Bowling*****

2. The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows

3. The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts by Doris Hillestad Butler

4. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

5. Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro*****

6. Hurricane Katrina Rescue by Kate Messner

7. I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis

8. It’s Not Easy Being Mimi by Linda Davick

9. Monster and Boy by Hannah Barnaby

10. The Lost Stone by Jordan Quinn

11. Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West

12. Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

4th-5th Grade Battle of the Books List 2026

1. A Boy called Bat by Elana K. Arnold*****

2. The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell*****

3. The Hero Two Doors Down by Sharon Robinson

4. Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

5. Fort by Cynthia DeFelice

6. Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm*****

7. Into the Rapids by Ann Braden

8. The Picasso Curse by Dan Gutman

9. Shine by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

10. Spy Cat by Peg Kehret

11. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

12. Stubby by Kate Klimo*****

13. Swindle by Gordon Korman

14. Wish by Barbara O’Connor

15. Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick

Middle School Battle of the Books List 2026

1. The Beat I Drum by Dusti Bowling

2. Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

3. Bluefish by Pat Schmatz*****

4. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks*****

5. Greetings from Witness Protection! By Jake Burt

6. Not Nothing by Gayle Forman

7. Popcorn by Rob Harrell

8. The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

9. The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner

10. The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

****this book is available as an ebook in the library catalog. Ask Mrs. Ferguson for login information.

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