Recently Elwood Middle School students finished up a different kind of March Madness tournament—one with books!
In order to make this book-tournament a success, middle school librarian
Donna Fife had teachers nominate books for their kids. Ms. Fife tallied
up the most recommended books and included books that had high
circulation records as well.
Ms. Fife then paired up books that would do well against each
other—graphic novel against graphic novel, best seller against best
seller—and had students vote, using Google forms, which books they
thought seemed most interesting. Because most students had not read
every book, each was listed with a summarizing blurb.
Each round had over 300 students vote for the books they were rooting
for, which was an incredible amount of student participation. As the
tournament progressed, students became more invested, stopping by the
library to ask which books were in the lead. In the end, two best
sellers went head to head, and a Dog’s Purpose won by a single vote.
"I love incorporating of different avenues to attract students to
books,” said Ms. Fife. “ My hope was that by designing an interactive
book tournament, students would be engaged and invested in learning
about different books…and I already have new students coming in, asking
if they can check out one of the books they heard their peers talking
about!”