Clayton Huey Elementary students dove into the joy of reading this March through a school-wide “March Madness Tournament of Books,” an interactive initiative designed to build excitement around literacy and foster a love of reading.
 
Throughout the tournament, each class read two books per day and participated in a voting process to determine their favorites. As the competition progressed, winning titles advanced through a bracket-style system, building anticipation as students eagerly followed along until one final book was crowned champion—"Walter the Farting Dog" by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray.
 
Adding to the excitement, the school also incorporated masked readers. Teachers recorded read-aloud videos with their faces and voices creatively disguised, challenging students to guess the identity of each mystery reader. The engaging activity combined literacy with fun and curiosity, encouraging students to listen closely and think critically.
 
The celebration culminated in a school-wide assembly on March 27, where the winning book was revealed and the identities of the masked readers were finally uncovered.
 
“Creating a culture that celebrates reading in fun and engaging ways is so important for our students,” said Dr. Nicole Fernandez, Clayton Huey Elementary School principal. “Our Tournament of Books and Masked Reader event not only sparked excitement around literacy, but also brought our school community together through shared experiences that make reading memorable and meaningful.”