Book Fair Fascination: The Narrative of Nine Series - Part 1

The Narrative of Nine: Scholastic Book Fair Sensation and Inspiration

How two Scholastic Book Fair purchases inspired nine steps to create two lifelong passions. 

Introduction-

With enough time removed from being a student at the elementary level, nearly 14 to be exact, I can now realize how a library is often the most underappreciated location in an elementary school. This is from the perspective of a student in this environment, of course. To teachers, the value of a library serves many great purposes. High on the list of its offerings can simply be a calm void where silence is of the utmost importance for students to uphold. 

Back to the student perspective, from the ages of 5 to 10, when you learn that your weekly exploratory class schedule circled back around to “library day,” the groans and sighs returned to teachers, who bore such news, were palpable. I was met with them 3 years ago when I, filling in for several teachers, had to play the role of messenger, in addition to that of "substitute teacher.” Even worse? Being a substitute librarian and dealing with the sensitive student feelings from a majority of the class. They had a tendency to stick around beyond their teacher’s designated drop-off time. Usually, I was able to win them over, but still had a hard time thinking of why it took so much effort. Effort for those students to appreciate the library environment, and effort for me, as the leader of its space. As one with temporary status and little experience, I had to put myself back in the mindset of those I was in charge of supervising.

With my childhood memories readily available for this necessary attempt of self-alteration, my senses were heightened to a key 14-year evolution of learning techniques. While touch screens and iPads were coming into existence back in the late 2000s era I experienced, there was no sign of such technology in our school. Now? Every student is assigned to their own iPad device. Used to access a wide range of learning platforms for all subjects, the convenience of limiting papers and physical handouts has its benefits, sure. Yet the crutch it becomes is an unmistakable reality for all sides to consider. As someone who has assigned many forms of “busy work,” the device has a pacifier-like effect on those it is meant to keep occupied and entertained.

During my library assignment day, each student from every class had no such device in hand during their designated library time. Instead? Actual books, with a front and back cover, pages in between each, and a spine to keep them intact. Each student toted at least one or two, ranging from various sizes and genres. Seeing this, I understood my obligation to fill their session the “old-fashioned way.” This throwback approach was a challenge of a wholesome nature, which I wholeheartedly accepted. To me, the choice an individual student makes to select a book and invest their time in turning its page can say a lot. I thought of it as a great icebreaker opportunity for a one-on-one interaction, which would also fill a solid stretch of my time with the group.

When the class took their seats at the circular tables, I stood before them and let them know of two questions they would need to answer before exchanging their books for new ones. The questions began with “why” and “what” … Why did you choose the book? What did you learn from it? Their favorite part of this, I realized, was the answer requirement of one sentence or less. Short, sweet, and to the point. My favorite part? Seeing the pride in each student proclaiming their agency to select a book subject or genre that could lead to their investment. Agency and investment are two interconnected forces to make learning an enjoyable, worthwhile experience. At the elementary age level, however, students often have fewer opportunities for this kind of expression of self-interest in education. Thinking back to myself in this era of my academic journey, we did not know any difference. Even outside of school, it was a time where the endless choices of ways to fill time were not always at our disposal, as they are now in 2026.

I thought of this as each student, one by one, answered the question and went on their way to choose new books. When it was time for them to sit back down and begin their assignment, I roamed around the library, both monitoring the students and my own history in the very same space. Having been a student there myself, the memories were easily accessible in the room where, other than the floors, nothing much had changed. The library decor, once viewed as normal bore, now was along the lines of nostalgic lore. The periods of time where there was even the slightest difference in appearance were few and far between. This, I assumed, was the reason the Scholastic Book Fair week popped in my mind. I did not grasp just how much the themes of agency and investment sparked this trail of memories.

Occurring on an annual basis, there were many aspects to this weeklong opportunity to help spark and spread the buzz around school. As soon as the first promotional posters went up in our halls, featuring a colorful selection of some of the year’s top book selections, anticipation began building among us students. The obvious elements of intrigue began with the library’s transformation. On Monday of the designated book fair week, the display was our very own pop-up shop, filled with new book and poster selections, many of which were centered around the year’s latest topics and trends. While this inventory was more than enough to enhance our mystique, the process to access it all is what put things over the top. 

Students are always seeking moments out of the ordinary routine of a typical school day schedule. With the book fair week, we were given our chance to break away from the classroom on not just one, but multiple occasions. The first would occur toward the first part of the week, where teachers took their entire class to browse the book fair selection. It was then that students had a chance to spend their book fair money or scout out their desired items to purchase later in the week. I tended to do the latter. While, yes, I wanted to have a plan in place for the amount of money to bring, I was especially glad to retreat from the class and have the agency to invest in material I deemed desirable. The funds to do so, maxing out at no more than 10 dollars, were generously provided by my parents. Though it was not my cash, it was my choice, and most important, my responsibility to successfully complete the purchase process.

It is a pretty big deal to entrust any amount of money to an elementary-aged student. This seemed to turn those Scholastic Book Fair purchases into mini-miracles. The trust carried over to our teachers, as they were the ones who allowed students with money to leave class, at a designated time, and walk themselves to the book fair set-up. I now realize how, aside from having the chance to go shop at school, the thrill came from the responsibility of proving ourselves as capable stewards. This does not mean some common elementary age tendencies did not break through.

The Scholastic operation certainly provided a wide range of quality purchase options for students to enjoy. Yet not all of these were books, or could necessarily be deemed as beneficial products for a student to spend their allotted resources. In addition to the pop culture and sports posters hanging adjacent to the main book display, a table full of random knick knack item assortments could be found just beyond the fair’s entry and exit points. It was common knowledge that a lot of students would come back with their hands full of those items, as opposed to actual books. While this is a funny thing to reminisce about, it is far from the most impactful topic in my book fair memory category. It all comes down to the key purpose for this writing project; how lifelong passions can be discovered and enhanced through opportunities, such as the annual Scholastic Book Fair.

The promotion of literacy is not possible without first promoting a sense of joy around its idea. Joy is hard to come by when the desirable qualities of any topic are lacking. With the Scholastic Book Fair, there is an admirable quality for their operation to take it upon themselves to meet students where they are. This roadshow approach brings about a unique quality to the education experience. If students feel they lack the chances to ingratiate themselves with enjoyable and topical subjects in book form, the Scholastic Book Fair presents them with the satisfying process of selecting what piques their interest. When students are among the diverse range of not only mere products, but books ranging in various genres, lengths, and topics, it proves how there is something worth exploring for each and every individual. For me, as I begin my recount of the first of two book fair experiences, a brewing interest I had going into the fair was confirmed as legitimate and worthy of maintaining and, with the support of others, growing to unimaginable levels. 

Part 1 - The First Five Steps

February 2008

Presidential Dollars Coin Collecting Kit 

Background:

The opportunity had come for my 1st grade class to browse our school’s 2008 Scholastic Book Fair options. We were each given the chance to roam around the set-up with the self-guided approach. It often turned to a friend-guided one, as mini-groups would form by the time our allotted time came to an end. Whether we were scouting out our future purchases to make later that week, or if we were ready, with cash in hand, to do so then and there, it was a chance to express our interests to our fellow classmates. Our choice in exploring specific areas of the space would say a lot about our individual tastes and personal interests outside of school.

Though those mini groups formed among my classmates, I decided to keep to myself. While, yes, I was always quite comfortable with doing so, in this instance I felt as if there was no other choice to make. I was not comfortable sharing my newly developed fascination with Presidential history. A main reason for this, I now know, was the mere fact of it being different from many of the other common interests from my peers. 

During this time of book browsing, I am sure my preference of isolation made me easy to spot, from the perspective of my teacher. It was she who, in a hushed tone, raised her whisper loud enough to catch my attention. Her index finger indicated the direction she wanted me in. With the mindset of always assuming I had done something wrong when summoned by any figure of authority, my look of concern was noticeable enough for her to reassure that was not the case. My teacher’s expression turned to one of excitement, as if she was set to let me in on a secret of some kind. It turned out to be a good one, of course. While my teacher’s exact wording has escaped my mind in the past 18 years, her thoughtful sentiment never has. It was a moment where she might as well have said, “you are seen.”

What I could see was a book cover with the faces of 13 United States Presidents. The top portrait on the cover, in what seemed to appear as a highlighted color tone, standing out among the others, was my personal favorite president, John F. Kennedy. The faces of other notable presidents from various points in history filled the cover in a circular position. Under the headshot painting was an American flag to tie together a patriotic theme. From my initial look, the book title of Presidential Dollars Coin Collecting Kit went unnoticed. Instead, the faces I spent the prior months drilling into memory captured my focus and had me ready to explore the book’s pages. When I did, I was thrilled to find a full page dedicated to all of our country’s presidents, not just those on the cover. It was truly a bonus, along with the “coin collecting kit” portion at the book’s end section. 

When my teacher asked something along the lines of “what do you think?” My feelings were quite clear. At this point, I am sure she explained her idea to reserve the book for me to purchase at a later time, since I had yet to be entrusted with cash from my parents. I am not certain of my comprehension of her plan, as I was still fully immersed in the book. Before getting too in-depth with its content, my teacher’s idea became very clear when, using a sticky note and pen, my name was written and posted on the book’s front cover. At that point, I got it. Before too long, the book would be mine! 

This gesture from my teacher was more than reserving a book; it served the important purpose of validating my interest in its subject matter as something to be fully embraced. Thankfully, I did not have to wait long to consider my ownership of the book as official. That evening marked our school’s “book fair night.” The open-house-style event was an opportunity for families to share the joys of literacy promotion. For many parents joining their students, it also produced the peaceful feeling of a more secure book fair transaction with their inclusion. For me, it was the chance to proudly approach the yellow sticky note with my name on it, which, from my vantage point, stood out like a sore thumb among every other product. With the book tightly grasped in hand, I left the event in high spirits and went home to add it to my quickly growing collection of Presidential history.

Key Steps:

1. New material and new information. 

The pace of my collection’s growth was all thanks to those closest to me and their continued recognition, and overall support, of my interest. Soon after the Scholastic Book Fair took its show to another school, the normal routine of being a 1st grader in 2008 resumed. This included a day full of hard work at school, hard play at recess, hard homework at home, and an easy reward of Disney Channel show watching. In between the school and home portion of my day was the few minutes spent in my mother’s car. The 5 minute car ride became my favorite part of the day and what I looked forward to the most. It was a portal back to my preferable environment. 

Every now and then, my mother would have a treat waiting for me next to my booster seat in the back of her car. For some students, this may have been in the form of a snack or sweet treat. My mother usually took a different, less messy and more healthy approach. Hers was one that led to more thought for me on the receiving end of the reading material she provided. In those days, the subject of any word I willingly read in an article or book was geared toward, you guessed it, the U.S. Presidents. More thought from those words had the power of mental construction, yet the new content physically constructed even more material for my collection.

This material had more of a visual appeal to me initially. The piece, titled “Presidential Trivia,” was part of the American Profile magazine publication, and lined up well with the upcoming Presidents’ Day holiday. Yet again, posted on its cover was my name. This time around it had been written by my grandmother, who came across the article and, aware of my budding interest in Presidents, thought to save it for me. The trend from the recent book fair experience continued when the magazine’s cover art earned my investment of attention. It was yet another collection of U.S. Presidents from various points in history, but this took the cover concept from the Presidential Dollars Coin Collecting Kit to another level. The illustration of every President grouped together, in full body form, with the White House in the background, was simply amazing. The well-designed image made it fairly close to a lifelike group photo of, at the time, all 43 presidents. Everything from their heights to the clothes they wore were illustrated with great detail. 

The names of each president in the illustration were listed under the cover artwork’s full view image within the magazine pages. Under the name heading was the “trivia” part of the profile, in the form of a single sentence fun-fact about each president. Suddenly armed with more information learned on my own time away from school, it was there where I would soon be given the chance to apply it, or so I thought.

2. Presidents’ Day craft

Creativity is key in the world of elementary education. Both teachers and students are involved in this effort, of course. A teacher has the role of brainstorming a relative idea for their students. With it in place, it is up to the students to execute the idea according to the given instruction. In keeping with the order of this February 2008 timeline, the aforementioned President’s Day holiday was the opportune moment to commemorate it in a creative way. This tracked well with the usual holiday trend, where glue sticks were typically in higher demand.

Those instructions I speak of are usually quite clear, with the help of visual examples on the main whiteboard for all to see, along with their repeated verbalization. I was usually great at considering them as credible and would follow the guidelines to a tee. In this scenario, however, there was an issue. The all-important ingredient of “credibility” was lacking from my point of view. With the craft centered around two of the most popular presidents, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, the finished product of their headshots and chest-up attire were there front and center for our reference. There appeared to be an issue, though. It was an issue none of my classmates, or even my teacher for that matter. They either did not notice or did not care. I was not sure which was worse.

The finished product of each President with a pencil-drawn smile, perfectly-shaped nose, and fine-tuned proportions were unlike any painting or photo I had seen of the two. I assumed it was a well-known fact that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln rarely, if ever, smiled for a portrait, and don’t even get me started about the nose. Come on, guys, get with it! This thought was at the core of my choice to go rogue with this craft project. There was great pride in choosing what I deemed to be a historically accurate result over an artistically pleasing one. Though my drawing of a less than perfect nose and frowned smile did not meet the standards of being displayed in our hallway, it satisfied my carefully constructed knowledge around the subject of presidential history. Though the structure was still relatively new in my mind, its components appeared to be quite strong.  

3. Observational awareness 

The same grandmother I mention in the prior step is, of course, married to my grandfather, who happened to serve several terms as a North Carolina legislator. For him, this involvement has led to a life filled with connections built within the world of state government.  Many of those connections were made with key figures from our state’s history. In the home of my grandparents, there is a room filled with framed photos of some of those people, including their signature and personalized note to my grandfather, who was sometimes included in these photos. I always appreciated the time spent at their house and with this newfound history hobby, my enjoyment of their space was heightened.

I soon began to ask questions about the people I saw in those framed photos and the role they each had. Positions such as “senator,” "lieutenant governor,” “governor,” were floated around as answers to my inquiries. Yet before I sought out details on the unknown figures, I had quite a few for one individual who I had recently come to recognize quite well. This man, pictured shaking the hand of my grandfather with his can’t-miss smile, was our nation’s 39th President, Jimmy Carter. He also happened to be one of the 13 faces featured on the Presidential Dollars Coin Collecting Kit book’s front cover. To take in this interaction he had with my grandfather, from an event dating back to the late 1970s period, it left me fascinated in the purest sense.

By that point, I was able to recognize and appreciate the magnitude of President Jimmy Carter’s position as one of our nation’s past leaders. No matter how much time has passed since the photo was taken, the historical significance was brought back to life. While the moment with my grandfather may have been brief, the captured photo would stand the test of time. Man, I wishfully thought, what I would give to experience a moment such as that. 

 

4. Historical and heritage connections

With an increased appreciation for history, I soon began to view the idea of this subject, as it related to both sides of my own family, in the same manner. Little did I know how two historical categories, that of my family and United States presidents had yet another moment of intersection. My realization of one of them; my grandfather’s photo with Jimmy Carter, had recently occurred when I discovered a second timeless piece of captured history. This one in particular happened to date back to decades earlier than the late ‘70s photo, November 16, 1955 to be exact. This date was nearly the 3rd year of  Dwight D. Eisenhower’s term as our nation’s 34th president. 

Eisenhower was yet another one of the 13 faces on the front cover of my Presidential Dollars Coin Collecting Kit book. However, it was not his face that was associated with this piece of family memorabilia. While this artifact may have been in a frame, as photos are known to be, it was not in photograph form. Instead, it was used to protect and preserve a letter on official White House stationery. The letter was to thank my great-great grandfather for a gift he sent to Eisenhower. It was given when The President happened to fly out from a Pennsylvania airport that was owned by my great-great grandfather, and in close proximity to Eisenhower's farm in Gettysburg. 

For me to instantly associate this possession with President Eisenhower was all thanks to my newly acquired president book. At the bottom of the typewritten letter was Eisenhower’s official handwritten signature. It was the same signature I had gotten used to seeing on his profile page within the book. As a 6 year old, I felt some pride in my ability to detect his name from the signature. This, along with my awareness of how his tenure in office lined up with the letter’s date, was proof of knowledge I was beginning to acquire with this interest in President history. Not only was I enjoying the new world of information, I was getting something beneficial from it, as well. 

5. Campaign consciousness 

The timeline of my increased base of Presidential history knowledge created a sense of awareness toward Presidential-related events of that era. As the month of February transitioned into March of 2008, the year’s Presidential election primaries were heating up in the Democratic party. The once-favorite to win, Hillary Clinton, was in a highly contested race against a one-term senator from Illinois. His name was Barack Obama and he had taken the country by storm with high energy, sparked from his representation of hope and change for the nation.

Such enthusiasm for his campaign put a spotlight on the Obama campaign’s efforts, even before it was officially announced the year before. His tight lead in acquired state delegates was very commendable, especially since Hillary Clinton had spent the prior 16 years in the national spotlight, as both a U.S. senator and former first lady to Bill Clinton, our 42nd president. Though her last name was polarizing, its undoubted recognition was a key starting point in 2008 presidential primaries. This factor served the same purpose for me in that moment in time. 

I experienced a burgeoning understanding of how those present moments in 2008 were shaping history. There would be an inevitable “first” in presidential campaign history, regardless of the primary outcome between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Either the first woman or African-American would become a major party’s nominee for President. Though this was the first election I was attuned to, I had historical context to appreciate the significance of each possibility. Though I had no knowledge of the policies each candidate presented during their respective campaigns, the most obvious thing being offered was a broken barrier of opportunity.

This much-needed shift in the status quo offered our nation a new path of leadership. It was one that would look different from the past presidential faces on my collection of books, posters, and news clippings. Yet there would be one familiar face, among those of former presidents, who was positioned to be a big factor in the 2008 democratic primary election. Though nearly 8 years had passed since his last term, there was a chance for him to enter back into the White House in a different capacity. 

The end result:

Looming large over Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign was a man who, 16 years earlier, was once at the center of his own. Bill Clinton brought along campaign experience from multiple levels of government and ultimately reached the highest one of the United States presidency. Adding this amount of experience to the campaign trail can result in a mixture of benefits and baggage. Within the decades worth of wisdom and lessons learned are the inevitable shortcomings that linger in the conscience of voters. For me, a then 6-year-old, I was free of many of those preconceived notions toward our past Presidential figures. I viewed each of them through a lens consisting of basic personal facts, which mostly lacked any politicized controversy. I sometimes wish I kept that same point of view, but realize, as an active voter, there is now a responsibility to consider the whole truth of our past, present, and future leaders.

None of this was on my mind when I learned that, on Saturday April 12, 2008, I would have the opportunity to meet our 42nd president, Bill Clinton. I will never know just how my grandfather, the same one who was photographed with Jimmy Carter, managed to get me, himself, and my mother into a Greenville, North Carolina hotel reception room for this opportunity. The setting was not an ideal one for a 6 year-old boy to be on a Saturday morning and I was by far the youngest individual standing in that reception space. In addition to my age, the blue seersucker suit I wore was another way I stood out among the other 20 or 30 people in the room.

As we stood there and waited for President Clinton’s arrival, I remember having a pretty laid back view toward the whole experience. I now assume the prolonged standing and waiting made an impact on my excitement levels. Thankfully, I had an option of time occupation with the book I held in my hands. My mother and I reached a mutual agreement to bring my book fair purchase of Presidential Dollars Coin Collecting Kit for President Clinton to sign. While waiting, it was natural for me to flip to the page dedicated to his presidency. Looking at his personal signature embedded on the page under his photo, I was already picturing where his eventual handwritten one would be placed.

I was distracted long enough to lose myself in what was written about the man I was moments from meeting in-person. In some ways, I felt as though the meeting had already taken place. From the time I had invested in reading and learning there was some familiarity established. In hindsight, and with a more mature understanding of human beings, the broad, kid-friendly information from my readings barely scratched the factual surface of a complex figure from U.S. history. I can recognize how my subdued feeling of “been there, done that” was simply a front for the nerves I was in desperate hopes of hiding, but would soon have no choice of being uncovered.

What happened next, once President Clinton strolled in with his secret service team leading the way and following behind, was honestly a blur to me. The two main things that stood out to me were his tall height and attire of a navy sport coat atop a tie-less button-down shirt, khaki pants, and ostrich-skin boots. This outfit was something I had never before seen him wear in pictures and videos, most of them, if not all, were from his time in office. Maybe this was just what former presidents wore, I considered. Whether his presidential status was “former” or not, the weight of having had such a position was palpable when he entered the room.

Known for his ability to exude a strong sense of magnetism amongst any crowd of people, a master class of this trait was on full display from President Clinton that morning. While nearly every other person flocked over toward his direction, I remember staying back to avoid the rush of fully-grown individuals. The waiting, it appeared, would have to last a little bit longer. “A little bit longer” is also how I would describe the one-on-one moment I shared with President Clinton soon thereafter. 

Upon his arrival, President Clinton worked his way through the crowd in an efficient manner. His mix of handshakes, hugs, and photos allowed for maybe 10 to 15-second meeting intervals with those who crowded. However brief, I am sure the impact was long-lasting and that each individual felt as though they were the only one in the room. I watched it all unfold from a distance and felt his aura grow with every passing second. My anticipatory feelings trended in the same direction. Whether it was my age, blue seersucker suit, or location away from the tightly formed circle around him, I stood out just enough for President Clinton to make a b-line in my direction. 

I am thankful for the photos that helped keep this experience alive over the years, since my awe-struck state of mind from that day has clouded many details from actually meeting President Clinton. While, yes, it would be nice to remember exactly what was said and the entirety of our exchange, what was done carries much more weight. With several photos, along with an autograph and brief handwritten note in my book, these keepsakes serve more than mere evidence of this occasion. They have ultimately helped produce my sense of appreciation and valuable perspective for the rarity of such an experience.

Less than a year before April 12, 2008, I had no idea what the title of “United States President” meant. For a 6 year-old, the perspective I had toward that 9 or 10 month period is closer to how I now view 9 or 10 years. The aforementioned steps, taken in an even shorter span of time, boosted both levels of interest and knowledge, which happened to go hand-in-hand. Back then, while experiencing each one, I did not yet have the capacity to recognize their rapid progression. Such a pace would not have been possible without the awareness and recognition from those closest to me. Thanks to them, I was never without the support and encouragement to pursue my newfound interest. I was ultimately able to express it by sharing the President Clinton experience with my fellow classmates.

The show and tell session involved a scrapbook of the photos taken on April 12th, 2008, campaign pins I received that day, and some news articles about Clinton’s visit to our area. Many of my classmates did not understand the materials as anything too special, nor were they able to recognize who the tall, grey-haired gentleman was next to me in all those photos. Yet none of this put a damper on the opportunity to proudly recount my experience. The pride toward this passion was only scratching the surface back then, nearly 18 years ago. Though it has ebbed and flowed over the years, and is in an endless battle with cynicism, I am grateful for its existence and the motivation it has given me to now share it with you.