A Heads Up: March Book Madness is Coming . . .

Every year I gather a group of teachers together to decide how we will celebrate March is Reading Month. You know, extra-celebrate reading (since celebrating reading is sort of the all-year gig as a librarian). We usually have an author visit, a family reading night at the school, and other activities.

But sometimes those activities leave me feeling a bit . . . unsatisfied.

Too often they seem reward-focused. So I’m always looking for activities that will keep the focus on reading for the sake of reading.

So in March 2020, I want to try March Book Madness.

Teachers Tony Keefer and Scott Jones started March Book Madness in 2015. It’s a “bracket-style tournament that matches books in one-on-one “games.”” So it’s like the basketball tournament, but with books. Kids vote on the books they love best, and the tournament rolls on until there’s one book left standing.

And they just announced the books that will be in the tournament this year! At my K-3 school, I’m hoping to do picture books. It’s a great list. See it here. They also have middle grade and YA lists.

Click here to visit the March Book Madness website, and learn how to give it a shot in your school.

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