Cover Up

Book Covers! I get excited when I see them displayed. Creating my yearly March Book Madness bracket boosts my mid-March blues. Each spring, I do my best to make my literary tournament have the same effect on students.

Is there a connection between looking at books in a bracket and what students think? Yes, according to a study in the journal Literature. “As the first thing that we see,” write the authors, “the book cover and its design set the expectations a reader has of its contents” (2025). Not only does cover art engage teenagers in an aesthetic way, it also helps develop their critical thinking and predictive skills. In my mind, the bracket of books sets into motion a positive association for my high school students. Vibrant bookish rectangles=positive, literary vibes.

Blaze the Reading Trail

We, as librarians, grapple with the issue every day: teens don’t read as much as they used to. While requiring them to read books for their English classes sometimes benefits them, it’s not the same as the act of choosing to read for pleasure. A large number of students in my school enjoy sports. Whether it’s playing or cheering on friends, their conversations often center around basketball, lacrosse, and other athletic pursuits. Hosting a tournament alongside the NCAA March Madness is always a draw. Even for those students who have no interest in sports, though, the momentum of a book tournament and its colorful bracket pulls them in.

If You Read It, They Will Listen

After the initial hook of the bracket and book displays, the next step is engagement. A creative cover is a great introduction; more meaningful interaction has to follow. In past years, I’ve walked around the library and publicized each duo of books. I use my most upbeat voice and share how each title has affected me. This year, I’m going a bit deeper. As I circulate through tables of distracted teens, I plan to add a sample of the action. For each book, I’ll read a short paragraph aloud. Though my adolescent listeners may act resistant at first, they won’t be able to escape the words and tone of the writing. In fact, reading aloud to teens has been shown to affect them in positive ways. According to a recent United Through Reading article, “When older kids listen to a story, their brains light up in ways that silent reading just doesn’t duplicate” (2026). Sometimes, a short literary offering is just what they need to become curious.

Relive the Magic

One thing I notice about high school students is that underneath their tough exteriors are playful, eager children. That’s why props are always a hit during March Book Madness. Bring them back to simpler times, and they begin to relax into activities that are not part of their master plan to success. Basketball pens, stickers, bracelets, mini books. . .these all go a long way in motivating teens. Connecting reading with fun is the goal. Then, when they’re in a bookstore or browsing books online, maybe they’ll transfer that happy feeling to literature. 

You Have To Be In It To Win It

As the younger generations (and increasingly the older ones!) become addicted to quick loops of information, it’s more important than ever to engage teens in reading stories, especially books. Maybe, with a little bit of exposure therapy, we’ll be able to increase the average attention span and make reading fashionable again. I’m always one to root for the underdog so I’m not giving up on teens and books yet. Wishing everyone many buzzer beaters in their book brackets.

References

Chana, Kirren, Jan Mikuni, Simone Rebora, Gabriele Vezzani, Anja Meyer, Massimo Salgaro, and Helmut Leder. 2025. “Judging Books by Their Covers: The Impact of Text and Image Features on the Aesthetic Evaluation and Memorability of Italian Novels” Literature 5, no. 2: 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/literature5020013

United Through Reading. “The Power of Reading Aloud — Even in the Teen Years.” United Through Reading, 2 March 2026, https://unitedthroughreading.org/the-power-of-reading-aloud-even-in-the-teen-years/.