Bluffton first graders and their parents are about to embark on a monumental reading incentive program called March Madness, starting Monday, March 2.

The overall goal of the program is for first graders to increase their reading skills, by reading as many books as possible.

For every five books that a first grader reads, that student will earn a prize and the chance to shoot a ball, which could lead to further prizes if the shot is made.

As further incentive, the five first grade classes are in friendly competition to see which class can read the most. Last year, Amber Huffman’s class won, by reading 2,915 books.

During each week of the competition, the top reader (who’s read the most books) in each class is named each Friday. Last year, the overall top reader read over 600 books during the four-week program. That averages over 19 books a day.

First graders: on your marks, get set, read.