The 2025 book reading competition, to see which grade can read the most books and to encourage students to read more over winter break and intensives, is coming to a close on January 28. It is receiving mixed reviews according to a Puma Prints poll. However, librarian and contest creator Aimee Miles was surprised when she found out how optimistic people were about the book competition.
“I didn’t expect enthusiasm, but I really appreciate that – how excited lots of the kids and teachers are for it,” Miles said.
Miles feels that students and adults don’t read enough in the school year and that the contest would be an enjoyable way to get everyone reading.
“I wanted to have something that was a little bit fun and had a competition element, and made everybody come together, to push you to all and to all the teachers to pick up a book and make some time for reading, especially when there isn’t a lot of homework,” Miles said.
Science teacher Mike Montanari feels that having the book contest again in the future would be beneficial to teachers and students in the middle school.
“I think it gets everybody reading over break, which is a helpful thing to do,” Montanari said. “It forced me to read the book over break that I honestly probably wouldn’t have done. I probably would have done other things, but I’m glad it got me doing some reading.”
Seventh grader Hideharu Gilbert who reads books regularly is content with the book competition.
Gilbert feels like the contest isn’t very hard as long as it is requiring a doable amount of books for everyone.
“Well, other people seem not to like it, but I’m fine with it. As long as it is only two books,” Gilbert said. “As long as it doesn’t really change or get harder.”
According to Miles, the amount of middle school students checking out books from the library has increased by 53% since the announcement of the book competition on December 16. Miles is seeing more and more students with books in their hands throughout the day.