Grades 4 & 5
Battle of the Books
A reading challenge and trivia competition. Students read from the district list, meet Tuesday mornings to quiz each other, and compete as a school team in March.
Meetings
Tuesday mornings
7:30 – 8:10 AM · The Otter Lab
Showcase
Wednesday, February 24
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Competition
Tuesday, March 2
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Meeting Schedule
Which book we cover when, from the coach’s schedule. Subject to change.
- Sept. 15Because of Winn-DixieIntroduction to BOB!
- Sept. 22Hatchet
- Sept. 29Who Was Neil Armstrong?
- Oct. 6Popcorn
- Oct. 13Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's LibraryPrep for the Rob Harrell ZoomNext up
- Oct. 20Zoom with Popcorn author Rob Harrell!Author Zoom
- Oct. 27A Rover's Story
- Nov. 3The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
- Nov. 10Wonder
- Nov. 17The Mona Lisa Vanishes
- Nov. 24Messi's MagicRead together in the meeting · prep for the Nicholas Day Zoom
- Dec. 1Percy Jackson, part 1Zoom with The Mona Lisa Vanishes author Nicholas Day!Author Zoom
- Dec. 8Percy Jackson, part 2
- Dec. 15MastermindsHoliday Battle!Battle
- Dec. 22Winter RecessNo meeting
- Dec. 29Winter RecessNo meeting
- Jan. 5Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
- Jan. 12Zoom with Where the Mountain Meets the Moon author Grace Lin!Author Zoom
- Jan. 19Holes
- Jan. 26Esperanza Rising
- Feb. 2Number the Stars
- Feb. 9Review and All-Books Battle!Battle
- Feb. 16President's RecessNo meeting
- Feb. 23Team practice
- Feb. 24Showcase · 11:00 AM – 12:00 PMShowcase
- March 2Competition! · 9:00 AM – 2:00 PMCompetition
The 2026–27 Reading List
16 books, set by Newport-Mesa Unified. Book level and AR points are from the district list.
| Title | Author | Book Level | AR Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Rover's Story | Jasmine Warga | 4.1 | 6 |
| Because of Winn-Dixie | Kate DiCamillo | 3.9 | 3 |
| Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: The Graphic Novel | Chris Grabenstein | 3.2 | 2 |
| Esperanza Rising | Pam Muñoz Ryan | 5.3 | 6 |
| Hatchet | Gary Paulsen | 5.7 | 7 |
| Holes | Louis Sachar | 4.6 | 7 |
| Masterminds | Gordon Korman | 5.2 | 10 |
| Messi's Magic: How Lionel Messi Became the G.O.A.T. | Caroline L. Perry | 3.4 | 0.05 |
| Number the Stars | Lois Lowry | 4.5 | 4 |
| Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief) | Rick Riordan | 4.7 | 13 |
| Popcorn | Rob Harrell | 4.0 | 6 |
| The Mona Lisa Vanishes | Nicholas Day | 6.3 | 7 |
| The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest | Aubrey Hartman | 5.3 | 8 |
| Where the Mountain Meets the Moon | Grace Lin | 5.5 | 7 |
| Who Was Neil Armstrong? | Roberta Edwards & Stephen Marchesi | 5.4 | 1 |
| Wonder | R.J. Palacio | 4.8 | 11 |
A Rover's Story
Jasmine Warga
Book level 4.1 · 6 AR points
Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
Book level 3.9 · 3 AR points
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: The Graphic Novel
Chris Grabenstein
Book level 3.2 · 2 AR points
Esperanza Rising
Pam Muñoz Ryan
Book level 5.3 · 6 AR points
Hatchet
Gary Paulsen
Book level 5.7 · 7 AR points
Holes
Louis Sachar
Book level 4.6 · 7 AR points
Masterminds
Gordon Korman
Book level 5.2 · 10 AR points
Messi's Magic: How Lionel Messi Became the G.O.A.T.
Caroline L. Perry
Book level 3.4 · 0.05 AR points
Number the Stars
Lois Lowry
Book level 4.5 · 4 AR points
Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief)
Rick Riordan
Book level 4.7 · 13 AR points
Popcorn
Rob Harrell
Book level 4.0 · 6 AR points
The Mona Lisa Vanishes
Nicholas Day
Book level 6.3 · 7 AR points
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
Aubrey Hartman
Book level 5.3 · 8 AR points
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Grace Lin
Book level 5.5 · 7 AR points
Who Was Neil Armstrong?
Roberta Edwards & Stephen Marchesi
Book level 5.4 · 1 AR points
Wonder
R.J. Palacio
Book level 4.8 · 11 AR points
Print the BOB Log
A two-page worksheet to fill out for each book — characters and details, the main conflicts and how they resolve, setting and time period, historical events, other books mentioned, a rating, and space to write your own “In which book…” questions. Print one per book; these notes are what students study from before the battles.
How it works
Battle of the Books is open to 4th and 5th graders. Students read from the list, then meet Tuesday mornings before school to quiz each other on plot, characters, and details. Reading every book is not a requirement to join — teams split the list so each reader can go deep on a few.
The Showcase on February 24 is the in-school round families can come watch. The competition on March 2 sends our team against other Newport-Mesa schools.
Questions? Get in touch and we’ll point you to the coach.