On Tuesday, March 31, with an electric crowd cheering at every opportunity, a team of fourth graders from John Stanford International School became the 31st Global Reading Challenge city champions.
With a sweet team name — the Global Bananana Pancake Group — the Stanford students scored a whopping 115 out of 120 points. They were especially proud because a team from their school had never made it to the City Final, much less won.
The Global Bananana Pancake Group competed in the fierce reading trivia final against nine other teams of fourth and fifth graders from around the city, who had prepared for months: forming teams, studying the selected Global Reading Challenge books, and winning school and semi-final competitions to make it to the final.
While one clear winner was announced, the librarians, teachers, and kids involved with the Global Reading Challenge agree that, really, everyone wins. They say that the program boosts not only reading skills, but teamwork, conflict resolution, and resiliency.
As one member of the Catherine Blaine Elementary’s Revolutionary Readers reflected at the City Final, just before the winning team was announced: “It’s OK if we don’t win, because it was still really fun. And we got better friendships out of it.”
A collaboration between The Seattle Public Library and Seattle Public Schools (SPS), the Global Reading Challenge, in its 31st year, promotes recreational reading at a pivotal elementary school stage when many students start to lose interest in reading. In 2025-26, more than 3,700 fourth and fifth graders from 71 SPS elementary schools participated in the program.
Global Reading Challenge starts in the fall, when eight books are selected — diverse books that are accessible and have strong appeal to kids. Some of the authors visit Title 1 schools, a less-visible part of the program that inspires some students to jump in who might not otherwise participate.
The annual City Final is always an exciting event for the Library, with some special highlights this year. We were honored to have Mayor Katie Wilson open the event. She welcomed the teams, shared how important reading was to her as a child, and praised participants for their focus and dedication.
Seattle Storm mascot Doppler roamed the Faye G. Allen Children’s Center at the Central Library before the competition, chatting and high-fiving kids. Doppler was there in honor of “We Are Big Time,” a basketball-focused Global Reading Challenge book.
During the competition, more teams than usual challenged the judges on the answers, which amped up the excitement. A librarian told teams that “it takes a lot of courage to challenge answers, so I give you props.”
There was even an author in the house! Shaun David Hutchinson, author of “The School for Invisible Boys,” was on hand to watch and cheer. Earlier this year, he made 11 visits to Title 1 schools.
It was a blast, as always, to see a crowd get so loud and enthusiastic in support of children, literacy, and reading.
As Chief Librarian Tom Fay reflected, “How often do you see a standing ovation for reading?”
Thanks to The Seattle Public Library Foundation for sponsoring the Global Reading Challenge, and Seattle Public Schools for their longstanding partnership on this program. We also appreciate Youth In Focus for taking photos at the City Final.
Photo caption of top photo: Mayor Katie Wilson opens the Global Reading Challenge. Photo by Tim Durkan, City of Seattle
Teams that participated in the 2026 Global Reading Challenge City Final
Thurgood Marshall’s Krazy Komodos
Catharine Blaine’s Revolutionary Readers
John Stanford’s Global Bananana Pancake Group
Louisa Boren STEM’s UHHHHHs
Bryant’s Reader Defeaters
Queen Anne’s Book Bunnies
Olympic View’s Rainbow Reading Rabbits
Concord’s The Winning 4th Graders
Madrona’s Flaming Foxes
Bailey Gatzert’s Dehydration