Linden Tree Books presents
Battle of the Books 2026
READ. PLAY. WIN!
Our summer book trivia challenge is back for elementary and middle grade readers.
Read the 5 books in your age category. On August 22, join us for an afternoon of trivia, prizes, and bookish glory.
How it works
Choose Your Age Category
Elementary: age 8–11
Middle Grade: age 12–14
Read All 5 Books
Read all 5 books in your age category before the trivia challenge.
Discounted bundles are available from Linden Tree.
Play to Win
Sat. August 22, 3 p.m.
@ State St Market, Los Altos
Join us for a friendly trivia battle with pizza, prizes, and bragging rights.
The Books
Our booksellers handpicked two book lists: one for elementary readers and one for middle grade readers.
Buy the full bundle and save 10%.
Ages 8–11
ELEMENTARY READERS
A lively mix of adventure, mystery, humor, graphic novels, and fantasy for younger readers ready to battle.
- Space for Saffron by Rie Neal (local author & guest judge)
- The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
- Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura
- Oddity by Eli Brown
- Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum by Alasdair Beckett-King
AGES 12–14
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
A bold list for older readers, with mystery, memoir, fantasy, graphic storytelling, and big conversations.
- The Sherlock Society by James Ponti
- The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller
- The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen
- Whale Eyes by James Robinson
- Armaveni by Nadine Takvorian
Bundle Bonus
Buy the whole bundle, choose a Linden Tree treat!
Purchase a bundle and choose an exclusive Linden Tree tote or Linden Tree socks — because every great reading quest deserves excellent gear.
One bonus item per full bundle purchase. Available while supplies last.
Guest Judge
Meet Rie Neal
Rie Neal is a children’s book author who loves all things space. Growing up, she was often dragged on her grandfather’s unauthorized tours of NASA’s Ames Research Center, which she didn’t appreciate enough at the time. Eventually, though, she became a full-blown space fan and began to write space-related books for kids.
She also has a doctor of audiology degree from the University of Iowa and is nationally certified as an audiologist through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Today, she lives in the Silicon Valley with her husband and kids, where they drag people on many tours of the NASA Ames visitor center.
Learn more about her books at RieNeal.com or connect with her on Instagram @RieNealWriter.
Already own one of the books?
You can still buy the bundle and pay it forward. Donate your extra copy to Access Books Bay Area and help keep stories flowing. Leave a note at checkout or drop the book in the donation box at the store.
FAQs
Who can come to this event?
Everyone! Parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends are all welcome to come cheer on the teams.
Do I need to read all five books to compete?
Yes. Trivia questions can come from any of the five books in your age category.
Can I use my own copies of the books?
Absolutely. You can read your own copies, borrow from the library, or buy the bundle from Linden Tree.
How does the trivia competition work?
We’ll organize readers into teams for a friendly trivia competition. Expect fun questions, surprises, and lots of cheering.
What do competitors get?
Readers can expect bookish fun, authors, prizes, pizza, and the chance to show off their reading knowledge.
What if I registered but can’t come?
Please email [email protected] so we can free your spot.
I have another question. Who should I contact?
DM us on Instagram or email [email protected].