High Schools need to bring back the Book Fair

By: Jake Dillingham

April 3, 2024

When looking back on early school years, book fairs stand out as magical moments filled with the promise of a new world to get lost in the pages of! And a cool new scented eraser of course. As we journey into high school, however, there's a lingering sense of loss – the absence of those vibrant book fairs that once sparked imagination and excitement. The book fair was a chance to explore your interests and buy things with your 'own' money. It was always a day to look forward to, getting ready to ask your parents for spare change to be able to get what you wanted, but now that we have our own funds and a better solidified sense of self, that opportunity is gone. I firmly believe it's time to address the event's absence in High School, and time to revive the tradition. 

Consider the newfound financial independence that comes with High School. It's not just about buying books; it's about investing in our passions. A book fair tailored to our age group acknowledges our autonomy, empowering us to make choices, supporting authors we admire, and creating a personal library that reflects our unique literary journey. 

     This also helps to promote reading to students who have lost interest over the years. With a broad selection that’s open to everyone, it will help young people to discover books on things they actually like, instead of being discouraged by tedious required reading. In the process of growing up, the joy of reading often takes a backseat. Reviving High School book fairs is a call to rediscover that joy, reminding us that reading isn't a just a task, but about reclaiming our time and indulging in people’s stories, offering solace, inspiration, and a quiet refuge from the demands of High School. 

    High School often marks a period of blossoming interests and refined tastes in teenagers. These are the years where we find ourselves and settle into our niches, unveiling our true selves and coming out of our shells. As we dive into our new passions, we often find ourselves in search of new content to consume; This includes books. We're no longer confined to assigned readings; our literary appetite craves variety and material that aligns to our individuality. Bringing back book fairs for high schoolers isn't just practical; it's a celebration of our diverse interests, and invitation to explore genres beyond the classroom syllabus. 

     Away from broad ideas and opinions, book fairs are often an easily accessible tool for schools, and they’re completely free to run. It’s as simple as our library reaching out to a company that runs the fairs and picking a time and date. As English is required for every grade no matter what, each English teacher picks a time slot for their class to explore the event and choose their items.  

     Bringing back the book fair is nothing but a positive opportunity to inspire and promote reading in High School students, and giving them the space to express their individuality through literature.