Congratulations to the Winners of the Spring 2008
Middle School National Student Crew Contest!
The first place winner of a visit from Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series, and a $2,000 shopping spree for books is:
 Pottsville Junior High
Pottsville, Arkansas
Student Crew Count: 20
Book Fair Theme: Dyno-Mite Fair
Pottsville Junior High traveled back in time last spring to the ’60s and ’70s – a time of disco balls, peace signs, cool flowers, lava lamps, dancing, music, and more! The 20-member Student Crew decided on this far-out theme, and helped to create their own psychedelic decorations, including a flower power Volkswagen van. Because of all the cool decorations, activities, and promotions developed by the Crew, students, teachers, and families did not want to miss this groovy scene!
To engage the school community and teachers, the Student Crew promoted the One for Books and Classroom Wish List programs. During a family day, the Crew dressed up in the decades’ attire. To increase parent traffic to the event, students had a chance to win a prize basket if they brought their parents to shop. Book Fair attendees also had the opportunity to get their photos taken as hippies in a cut-out created by the Crew, which not only complimented the theme, but also gave shoppers another great reason to visit the Fair. The family day culminated with a themed dance for students, which had very high participation. At the event, students competed in a contest for the best ’60s or ’70s costume.
 During the Book Fair, several teachers also got on board by incorporating the ’60s and ’70s into their lesson plans. The art teacher had students study Andy Warhol and they took pictures of teachers and painted pictures of them in Warhol’s style. As another curriculum connection, students had to fill out a worksheet about those decades when they visited the library. Students enjoyed doing these activities, and teachers had fun reminiscing about their younger years!
This was one Book Fair that was definitely filled with peace, love, and books!
Second place winners of a $1,000 shopping spree for books are:
Graves County Middle School
Mayfield, Kentucky
Student Crew Count: 23
Book Fair Theme: Pirates of the Carireadin’
Ahoy matey! This spring, Graves County Middle School’s Student Crew chose Pirates of the Carireadin’ as the Book Fair theme. Crew members were divided into eight committees, where they worked hard on decorations, advertisements, contests, and more. The Crew transformed the library into a pirate adventure by hanging gold coins, rings, and Jolly Rogers from the ceiling.
To entice shoppers, they built a giant pirate ship around the library’s entrance, and had a 7 ft. tall pirate named “Captain Jack” as a greeter. The Crew created several contests to increase Book Fair excitement, including a door decorating contest and Flip for Reading, where students decorated flip flop sandals as favorite book characters. A “Don’t Be a Chicken” contest allowed the student team that bought the most books to watch their teachers do the chicken dance. This contest proved that teachers will do (almost) anything to promote reading. All of the contests not only got students excited about reading, but they got the whole school involved in the Book Fair. Flyers and broadcasts on the school news station advertised a Family Night, which more than 300 parents attended. At the event, students dressed up as pirates and the school choir performed. This pirate voyage was a success!
Shepherd Junior High School
Mesa, Arizona
Student Crew Count: 23
Book Fair Theme: Medieval Masquerade
Hear ye! Hear ye! Shepherd Junior High’s Student Crew turned the Scholastic Book Fair into a medieval castle, complete with a turret, parapet, and working drawbridge. Besides making their own colorful posters, the Student Crew also developed a clever way of advertising the Book Fair. They took photos of Crew members in period costumers and wrote catchy phrases and Book Fair information on them. These pictures were posted on the daily TV bulletin board to entice students to come to the Fair.
To increase Fair excitement and attendance, Crew members dressed in costumes, visited classrooms, and invited other students to visit the Fair.
Five contests were developed by the Crew, including a decorate a shield contest, guess the number of fireballs contest, and unmask the mystery (students had to guess which teachers were hiding behind masks). Twenty-two teachers participated in this activity. During a special event, parent and student shoppers could have their picture taken in a cut-out medieval knight and princess created by the Crew. These were just some of the activities that encouraged students “joust read.” At this Fair, the Crew made books rule!
Southwestern Middle School
Hanover, Indiana
Student Crew Count: 21
Book Fair Theme: Rock ’n’ Rebel Book Fair
Music of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s filled the hallways of Southwestern Middle School during the spring Book Fair. The Crew kicked off their planning months before the Book Fair even arrived. To spread the buzz about the Book Fair, the Crew created one-of-a-kind bulletin boards, posters, and displays, and even recorded a radio commercial with the help of a local station to get the whole school community excited about the big event!
A kick-off ceremony, complete with skits and entertainment that showcased each grade’s decade, started the Book Fair off on a high note. One skit was the eighth graders dancing to the ’80’s hit “Thriller.” Teachers led students through an investigation of music. Students participated in a door-decorating contest, which not only created Book Fair excitement, but also transformed the whole school into a themed atmosphere. A “Rebel Idol” contest and retro games topped off the Fair’s Family Night by getting customers involved. At the Family Night, more than 100 people attended and parents were also involved by sharing music and fashions of their past. Southwestern’s Book Fair rocked!
East Valley Middle School
East Helena, Montana
Student Crew Count: 19
Book Fair Theme: Fired Up and Reading Book Fair!
What do firefighters and a Scholastic Book Fair Crew have in common? Passion! That’s just one of the reasons East Valley’s Crew chose Fired Up and Reading as the Book Fair theme. The Crew wanted to honor firefighters, especially those who sacrificed their lives on September 11, 2001. The Crew turned the library entrance into a memorial to firefighters with a New York City skyline. Memorabilia donated by local firefighters (ladders, hats, coats, boots, etc.) also decorated the Fair.
To increase Fair traffic from students and faculty, the Crew hosted several contests. One contest was a faculty hot legs contest in which 21 staff members participated. Students and faculty voted by placing beans in a jar. Beans were given to customers for each book they purchased. This activity led to many repeat Book Fair customers. As a community tie-in to the Book Fair, students at East Valley collected books that would be donated to a local elementary school. To encourage donations from students, the homeroom that collected the most books was awarded hot fudge sundaes. This was one of East Valley’s hottest Book Fairs!
Congratulations to all contest entrants for participating and especially to our national winners!
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