The final rounds took place on March 10, 2026, at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury, N.Y. Coordinated by the WSWHE BOCES School Library System, the overall event brought together 92 teams of students in grades 3-6 to test their knowledge of nine selected fiction and nonfiction titles.
For months, the participants read and studied the books in preparation for the competition, diving deep into every detail from character names to plot twists, and even studying the authors' notes. During the battle, teams had just 15 seconds to answer a recall question, naming the book’s title and author. With 31 questions per round, students tested their memory, teamwork, and love of reading to the limit. Teams had the option to switch players mid-round, adding to the dynamic nature of the competition.
“There’s nothing quite like witnessing students' enthusiasm for reading come alive after months of preparing for the Battle of the Books competition. The fact that over 730 students participated in this regional event is truly a celebration of reading and literacy,” said Kerrie Burch, WSWHE BOCES School Library System Coordinator.
The competition encourages students to read beyond their usual favorites and explore new genres and authors. “One of the strengths of this program is that students step out of their comfort zones and discover books that they might not typically select to read,” Burch stated.
“Our continued partnership with SUNY Adirondack is fundamental to the success of this program. We appreciate their continued support and shared commitment to promoting a culture of reading and literacy in our region each year,” Burch added.
Congratulations to all the participants in the 2026 Battle of the Books - every student is a winner for their dedication to reading!
Final results:
GRADE 3
1st Place - Jackson Heights Elementary
2nd Place - Kensington Road Elementary
3rd Place - Big Cross Elementary
GRADE 4
1st Place - Kensington Road Elementary
2nd Place - Dorothy Nolan Elementary
3rd Place - Greenwich Elementary
GRADE 5
1st Place - St. Clement’s School
2nd Place - Dorothy Nolan Elementary
3rd Place - Milton Terrace Elementary
GRADE 6
1st Place - Maple Avenue Middle
2nd Place - Oliver Winch Middle
3rd Place - Bolton Central