Sapphira Browne, a Grade 6 student at Win Ferguson Elementary, is excited to see which book takes the number one spot during the school’s March Book Madness event.

Sherwood Park, AB. — Taking inspiration from pro basketball’s iconic March Madness, EIPS students are taking part in their own tournament. March Book Madness pits students’ favourite books against each other to see which one reigns as the literary champion.

“I like March Book Madness because it gives you options to read new books that you might not always choose, and you can find out what you like and don’t really like,” says Sapphira Browne, a Grade 6 student at Win Ferguson Elementary. “I like the tournament because it brings a little competition to hope that your favourite book gets to be number one.”

Students from across the Division will begin reading a series of selected books and casting votes on their favourites as part of the annual event. March Book Madness uses a bracket-style tournament method where books compete against each other, similar in format to the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. Students start with 16 books. During each bracket, two go up against each other and are then voted on—majority-rule style. Votes are then tallied, and whichever book gets the most points moves on to the next round.

“The students are exposed to a variety of books they maybe wouldn’t be,” says Bailey Wilson, a Grade 6 teacher at Win Ferguson. “For me as a teacher, I’ve read eight new books already this year that I wouldn’t have necessarily been exposed to—especially being in upper elementary—as they’re all picture books. The students are engaged—even in Grade 6—and you can tell they all still enjoy reading fun story books.”

Students read both competing books in the bracket and then discuss them at length focusing on compelling characters, plot development and why one book should win over the other. They’ll either read books from the March Book Madness website or those school staff have chosen.

Several schools are participating in this year’s March Book Madness, including Bruderheim School, Fort Saskatchewan Elementary, Glen Allan Elementary, Vegreville Composite High, Win Ferguson Elementary and others.

Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,950 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.

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For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902