[CASL-L] Book Fair Inquiry

[Victoria Barrette]

I am currently doing my second book fair of the year!  They offered me a
BOGO one for this fair, but I declined because I need the profit.  I love
doing them, and the kids love it.  I do a theme and go all out with
decorations and make it a fun community building thing.  I have students
help me decorate and set up, which builds excitement.  I scheduled them to
coincide with other schoolwide events.  In the winter it was during the
chorus concert and the band concert.  This week we have the spring chorus
concert.  Then I host family shopping events before and after the
concerts.  During the school day, each ELA class visits once during the
week.  The teachers have been very on board with bringing their classes
down because the kids get so excited.  I do sell a lot of trinkets, but a
lot of books, too!  I think it's totally worth it.  I have a school of
around 450 and in the winter I did $5500 in sales.  I am only on day two of
this second book fair, but on track to do similar numbers.  Even just the
excitement about reading and books is worth it to me, and the teachers love
it for the nostalgia factor.  This is my first year in this school and
before me, there hadn't been a book fair since 2016.  The teachers were
thrilled I brought them back.

-Tori Barrette
Suffield Middle School

On Wed, May 27, 2026 at 8:13 AM Felice Atesoglu Russell <atesoglu at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Middle School Book Fair Inquiry: For those middle schools that hold book
> fairs what are your current thoughts? Do you do two fairs (one fall, one
> spring)? Do you do all Scholastic? Have you switched to Riverbend Bookshop?
>
> I am wrapping up my first year in a new position where I inherited the
> culture of two Scholastic fairs per year (one fall, one BOGO in spring- so
> you do not make a profit at all). I held one Scholastic Book Fair and
> switched to Riverbend Bookshop for spring. I am trying to assess and make a
> plan for next year based on school community interest, feedback, and ease
> of working with each vendor and book selection. I am conducting a student
> survey and that's been helpful, too. The book selection was much better
> with Riverbend bookshop for my strong readers.
>
> Would love to hear other middle school librarian thoughts on where you are
> at this point with book fairs. Are they still worth it for middle school?
> Do kids buy books (versus just trinkets)? Is the time and energy worth it?
> How vested are your teachers in bringing students to the fair? I had a
> literacy activity for all students to make visits worthwhile for all
> attendees this spring even for the 10 minute walk through.
>
> Love any and all thoughts!
>
>
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-- 
*Tori Barrette, MLIS*

*Library Media Specialist*
*Suffield Middle School*
*Suffield, CT*
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