Students across the state read books from a list selected by NCSLMA. In March, Guilford County Schools holds a district-wide competition (virtually and at UNCG) where students answer specific, detailed questions about the books.

Battle of the Books is open to all students in grades 4 and 5 while at Pilot Elementary but there are also competitions for middle school and high school. You can begin reading the books now or check back after March for next year's book list for the competition!

Every media specialist will have different requirements to join the team based on the school you go to, but they all will want you READING the books. We ask that you read all 16! We are only allowed to have a team of 12 students, so you will have to be working to read and attend our meetings to be chosen for the team. This is a great time to get started. I have added the elementary list here for you to check out. Find some new things to read this year or check back after March to start reading books for next year....get ready for BOB!

NC Elementary Battle of the Books List    2025-2026

Click on the author's name to hear the pronunciation. (as available)

Title	Author	eBook	Audiobook
Willa of the Wood*	Robert Beatty
Swim Team**	Johnnie Christmas
Maya and the Robot	Eve L. Ewing
Ferris	Kate DiCamillo
A Place at the Table	Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
The Last Musketeer	Stuart Gibbs
The Last Last-Day-of-Summer	Lamar Giles
The Great Treehouse War	Lisa Graff
Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe	Jo Watson Hackl
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe	Carlos Hernandez
Stand Up, Yumi Chung!	Jessica Kim
The Boy at the Back of the Class	Onjali Q. Rauf
Clean Getaway	Nic Stone
Stuck	Jennifer Swender
Front Desk	Kelly Yang
A Royal Conundrum***	Lisa Yee

                                 

* Student Choice Selection

** Questions for Swim Team will be taken from the entire contents of the book, cover to cover, including graphics and text.  

*** Book 1 of The Misfits series 

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