Books and Brackets turns 10: UCPS students gear up for reading tournament

Union County Public Schools students are marking a major milestone this year: 10 years of swapping basketballs for books in a reading challenge that brings the excitement of March Madness straight into the classroom.

Books and Brackets is a five-week competition that pits all 30 elementary schools against each other in a bracket-style tournament. Students move through rounds—the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight and Final Four—logging reading minutes along the way.

As in past years, UCPS will host a Facebook Live every Thursday at 1 p.m. starting Feb. 19 to announce which schools are moving on to the next round. Families, staff and students can tune in each week to celebrate their schools and follow the competition in real time.

The Elite Eight will be honored at Wingate University on March 27, where the district champion is announced in front of students and staff.

Over the past decade, the competition has inspired millions of minutes of reading across the district. Last year alone, students logged an incredible six million minutes. Poplin Elementary, which claimed the championship in 2024 and 2025, has become known for its schoolwide enthusiasm—but district leaders say the real victory goes far beyond a trophy.

But over the years, the following schools have taken the trophy:

• 2017: Union Elementary  

• 2018: Kensington Elementary  

• 2019: Marshville Elementary  

• 2020: (no reading challenge due to COVID) 

• 2021: Rocky River Elementary 

• 2022: Unionville Elementary  

• 2023: Unionville Elementary 

“For the last 10 years, Books and Brackets has grown into something we all look forward to each year. It is a fun way to get our students excited about reading,” said Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan. Over the years, we have seen growing support from parents, teachers, administrators and community members.

Assistant Superintendent of Communications and Community Relations Tahira Stalberte, who helps organize the event each year, said what makes Books and Brackets special is the way it brings everyone together.

“There’s something powerful about seeing an entire district rally around reading,” Stalberte said. “Students get excited. Teachers get creative. Families get involved. It feels like a celebration from start to finish and at the heart of it all is helping students build confidence and discover books they truly enjoy.”

For students, that impact is personal.

“Books and Brackets has helped me become more fluent in reading and increase my stamina,” said fifth-grader Isabella Joya of Poplin. “What I love most is that it helps me discover new genres that I normally would not have known.”

Third-grader Ruby Hamad said she enjoys the energy of the event.

“I love Books and Brackets because I really love to read and I like to be in competitions without being competitive.”

Fourth-grader Joshua Russell added, “I like Books and Brackets because it helps students who don't normally enjoy reading to start enjoying it more. It allows them to start reading more and become more successful.”

As Books and Brackets celebrates its 10th anniversary, organizers are planning a few extra touches to mark the milestone. The tournament kicked off Feb. 11. Now the countdown is on. Which school will seize the championship in this monumental 10th year? Stay tuned!