2026-2027 Book Lists

About Our Book Lists

Each year, dedicated volunteer teachers and librarians from across New Mexico thoughtfully curate these book lists. They read extensively to ensure their selections represent a rich diversity of genres, experiences, and perspectives.

Our committees strive to choose age-appropriate titles that will engage and inspire young readers. However, given the breadth of perspectives represented, individual books may contain content that some families prefer to discuss before reading. That's why students can choose any 10 books from the list to compete in the state competition—allowing flexibility for each student's interests and readiness.

Supporting Your Students

As the local experts on your community and students, we encourage team sponsors to familiarize themselves with the books so they can have meaningful conversations with families. Here are two helpful resources:

• AR BookFinder – Offers reading levels, summaries, and content advisories

• Common Sense Media – Provides reviews and parent comments for many popular titles

These resources can support your decision-making, complementing your own professional judgment about what's best for your students.

This Year's Book Lists

26-27 Elementary School Book List

26-27 Middle School Book List

Additional Resources

Note about these additional resources: the resources in this list have been created by volunteers for their own Battle of the Book groups and shared here.  They are not meant to replace your own professional judgement or guidance for your own students.

26-27 elementary book list with AR levels, audiobook info, and page length

26-27 middle school book list with AR levels, audiobook info, and page length

Purchasing Book Lists

The titles on the list may of course be purchased at many online book retailers.   Here is a list of vendors local to New Mexico who you could also reach out to for quotes on complete sets:

• Follett Content

  • • Rep: Jennifer Hale

      • • Phone: 708-884-6439

        • Cell: 253-318-1637

        • Email: jhale@follettcontent.com

• Barnes & Noble

  • • Rep: Chris Ovalle

      • • Phone: 516-479-7168

        • Email: covalle@bn.com

Title Suggestions

We are already working on our 2027-2028 lists!  Do you have a title suggestion for us?  Please use this form to share it:

2027-2028 Book List Title Suggestion Form