Get ready for a new year of reading, teamwork, and friendly competition! Provo City School District’s 2026–27 Battle of the Books reading lists are now available.
What Is Battle of the Books?
Battle of the Books is a reading program for elementary and middle school students. Participants read a selection of books and then work in teams to answer questions based on their knowledge of the stories. The friendly competitions, known as “battles,” promote reading comprehension, teamwork, and a love of literature.
Students interested in participating should contact their school librarian or media specialist. They can provide information about how the program works, competition details, this year’s reading lists, and how to get involved.
Whether you are preparing to compete or simply looking for some great books to enjoy as a family, you can get an early start by exploring this year’s reading lists below.
Happy reading, and good luck battling!
Third and Fourth Grade Reading List
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare by Gene Barretta
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
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
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter
Fifth and Sixth Grade Reading List
The White Mountains 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
Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team by Audrey Vernick
Middle School Reading List
Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson
Busted by Dan Gemeinhart
City Spies by James Ponti
Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
House Arrest by K.A. Holt
How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares
The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro
The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen
Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
War Games by Alan Gratz
A World Without Summer by Nicholas Day
Coordinator of Communications
Shauna Sprunger