The 2026 Barrow County School System Helen Ruffin Picture Book Reading Bowl was held January 23, 2026, at the Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy (BASA) with the following participating teams: Winder-Barrow High School, BASA, the Arts and Innovation Magnet Program, Russell Middle, Haymon-Morris Middle, Bear Creek Middle, Westside Middle, Holsenbeck Elementary, Austin Road Elementary, Yargo Elementary, and Bramlett Elementary.

The competition consists of multiple rounds of questions about the content of 10-20 Georgia Book Award Nominees at each grade level band. Points were tallied from each round and the following teams were recognized for their achievements:

Elementary Division

• Champion: Austin Road Elementary School
  • Coach: Crystal Thornton, Kimberly Kasama
  • Students: Eliza Islami, Alys Thornton, Sara Bing, Michelle Masvikeni, Edna Bella
• 2nd Place: Yargo Elementary School
  • Coach: Hannah Shuler, Diedre Kesler, Carey Elliott
  • Students: Davionne Williams, Aidan Hutchinson, Abby Isidore, Happy Lombe, Riley Powers, Ja'Khiyah Johnson, Ari Knight, Eliana Rosabal-Heredia, Ivana Lartey

Middle School Division

• Champion: Russell Middle School
  • Coach: Aprille Williams, Adelia Morris
  • Students: Will Maynard, MJ Vargas, Holly Pokusa, Isla McIlvenna, Lyndsey Harris, Emileigh Brookes, Michelle Dievbiere
• 2nd Place: Arts Innovation Magnet Program
  • Coach: Jenny Stockwell & Jonathan Berry
  • Students: Olivia Goodwin, Amber Nelson, Nathan Bloomfield, Grace Hernandez, Jo McDaniel, Juan Bustos, Emma Goodwin, Reid Duren, Noel Gibson, Kenny Newkirk

High School Division

• Champion: Winder-Barrow High School
  • Coach: Maegan Holt & Madelyn Ward
  • Students: Harper Allen, Shelbi Elwood, Liam McDade, Addison Starnes, Finley Krill, Celeste Still, Ceciley Vanderniet
• 2nd Place: Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy
  • Coach: Amber Chandler
  • Students: Courtney Kimelman, Kamdyn Agular, Lizzy Buckingham, Abagail Welborn, Ariel Brooks, Kaden Padmore, Hayden Boyd, Daniela Mondragon-Hernandez

These top two teams from each division will represent Barrow County at the Regional Competition on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Loganville High School in Loganville, Ga. The top team from each of the 6 regions will then advance to the state competition on March 21, 2026, at the University of Georgia in Athens.