In honor of National Reading Month, Lakeview Elementary School students are celebrating their school’s second annual March Book Madness. This year, 16 brand-new titles are featured in the book competition, each offering students the opportunity to explore new stories, meet diverse characters and discover worlds beyond their own. The anticipation is high as students, parents and staff wonder which book will be crowned Lakeview’s March Book Madness champion.
This year’s event aligned with Read Across America, amplifying Lakeview’s schoolwide celebration of literacy. Read Across America’s theme for 2025 is “Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers.” This powerful message resonates throughout the March Book Madness book selections, which highlight diverse voices, perspectives and experiences.
“Reading is an essential way for students to both see themselves and explore the broader world,” Lakeview Elementary School Principal Elizabeth Blessing said. “By connecting March Book Madness with Read Across America, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of reading and foster a deep appreciation for diversity in literature.”
The March Book Madness competition follows a bracket-style tournament, much like the collegiate basketball tournament that inspired it. Each week, students vote in head-to-head matchups, advancing their favorite books until a winner is crowned just before spring break. Adding to the excitement, students and staff can participate in themed dress-up Spirit Days.
“We would like to extend a big thank you to our Lakeview PTO for generously donating the books that made this event possible,” Blessing said. “Their support is essential in fostering a love of reading within our school community. We’re grateful for an exciting month of reading, voting and celebrating books.”