Akron Hosts 2026 Battle of the Books Competition

Students’ love of reading was put to the test as Akron Middle School hosted the regional Battle of the Books competition.

Teams of five middle school students were tasked to read a set of five books, with students challenged with answering questions related to the books.

Joining Akron in the May 11, 2026 competition at the Library Media Center were teams from the Williamsville, Iroquois, Alden, Pioneer, Orchard Park, Hamburg, Grand Island and Frontier school districts. Akron was able to host the competition after winning last year’s event.

This year’s books were “Fever 1793” by Laurie Halse Anderson, “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, “Weirdo” by Tony Weaver Jr., “Linked” by Gordon Korman and “The Canyons Edge” by Dusti Bowling

“It’s super exciting to see the kids get excited about the books,” said Cindy Magera, who co-coaches the Akron team. “They get to know the books from left to right, inside out and upside down.”

Representing Akron in the competition were Ben Borden, Patrick Blasko, Jordan Cena, Lucas Forrestel and Byron Kabangira Diop.

Finishing in first in this year’s event was a team from Williamsville’s Mill Middle School followed by Hamburg Middle School and Grand Island’s Veronica E. Connor Middle School. More than one day of competition, organizers hope the event creates a lifelong excitement for reading and literature.

“It’s all about building a passion for reading, and sharing that excitement for books with peers,” said librarian and fellow Akron coach Laura Penn.