March Madness was so last month. The other day, Staples High School crowned a winner in its annual Book Bracket tournament.
Modeled on the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball events — but without the betting — it’s a chance for students and staff to weigh in on their literary favorites.
They vote for each round. Winners advance, their progress tracked on large posters and email updates from organizer Katherine Hocking of the English Department.
Every year there’s a theme. Two of the most popular: Favorite Book Ever (To Kill a Mockingbird was the champ) and Best Book to Movie Adaptation (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone).
This year’s theme: Literary Heroes and Villains. Jenn Cirino, Nicole Moeller and the library staff created a bulletin board display near the cafeteria with QR codes to vote.
Among the most interesting matchups: in the Heroes bracket, #13 Odysseus vs. #20 Matilda; #5 Atticus Finch vs. #28 Harry Potter. On the Villains side: #3 Sauron vs. #30 Pennywise, and #14 Hannibal Lecter vs. #19 Lady Macbeth.
Would good triumph over evil? Or were villains more fun to root for?
And the winner is ……………..
……….. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) prevailed over Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter). The “girl on fire” won handily, 78-38.
Score one for the good guys!
Katniss Everdeen: Book Bracket champion!
