One of the displays at the Book Fair, featuring comics and manga, as well as series such as Wings of Fire and Warrior Cats.
Rebecca Billete, Editor-in-Chief of The Powderhorn
Most high school students can still recall a simpler time: one of sparkly erasers, graphic novels, and spiral notebooks. The Scholastic Book Fair used to be an event students looked forward to each year, where they could purchase the latest books, comics, and posters. Head Librarian Dana Lowery decided to implement the same book fair at Watauga High School from November 17 to the 21, giving stressed-out students a much-needed return to childhood bliss around the holidays.
Two students reading a book they found at the Scholastic Book Fair during a trip with their English class.
"I think it's wonderful that Ms. Lowery has provided this for us. I think she really understands that just because the kids are in high school doesn't mean that they don't want to have some fun," said Ms. Blakely Lord, an English teacher.
A small Christmas display towards the front of the Book Fair.
"I decided last year, even though Scholastic predominantly has children's books, that [the Scholastic Book Fair] still brings joy to people's lives and that we just need that around the holidays," said Lowery.
Scholastic Book Fairs feature nostalgic graphic novels such as "The Babysitters Club" and "Smile".
"I've actually done this at a previous school. Without much success. And last year, I don't know why I wanted to put more on my plate, but I was like, I'm going to try it one more time. I just want to try it one more time. One more time. And it seems to be successful," Lowery said.
A display of available movie posters at the Book Fair. Additionally, posters of sports teams were available on another display.
"Last year, they gave me some posters, but they were okay. This year, the posters are really great. They're sports-themed, they're Wicked. I mean, they're current," Lowery said.
Alaina Ott, junior, and Alan Mutio, senior, examining a book about zodiac signs.
"I've asked Scholastic to try to give me their young adult titles. I think there's something here for everybody," said Lowery.
Small trinkets were available for purchase, including erasers, pencils, and pointer fingers.
"It reminds me of being in elementary school and being able to relive the enjoyment of seeing different books to buy and all the little gadgets and the fun little erasers," said Parker Watson, a senior.
Jordan Roberts and Leandro Santos, freshmen, inspecting the Spanish secton of the Book Fair.
The Book Fair was praised for its wide selection of titles, spanning multiple genres.
"I think it was kind of interesting. I found those books, like, the horror section kind of interesting, but I also always loved the I Survived or the Alan Gratz books. I always loved those," said freshman Jordan Rogers.
"I like how there's such a wide selection of books, from the scary stuff to the stuff for teenagers," said freshman Leandro Santos.
Junior Katlyn Meyer pretending to take a bite out of a baking book.
"I think that now we understand that this works for our students," Lowery said.
Blakely Lord, an English teacher, reading a book while her class explores the Book Fair.
"I think it's great. I think it's wonderful. It's a little nostalgic for the kids, especially the week before Thanksgiving. It's nice to take a little break, do something that's just for fun," said Lord.
A collection of journals available for purchase.
"You can buy, of course, books, we've got manga, graphic novels. The journals are beautiful. And then the little "tchotchke"* things is what I like to call them. The hand poker, the macaroon Erasers, invisible ink pins. Those seem to really sell," said Lowery.
*Tchotchke is a Yiddish word for trinket.
Grace Hun, a senior, exploring the Book Fair.
"I love it a lot. It reminds me of being back in middle school again, and since I'm in high school, we don't get that opportunity to have a book fair. So, by having a book fair, I'm very grateful for it," said senior Grace Hun.
Popular series like Wings of Fire and Warrior Cats.
"As an English teacher, I love anything that combines joy and literacy. So I think that's really, really nice," said Lord.
Students in front of a table decorated for the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.
"I just think that anybody and everybody that has a memory of book fair, it is not negative. It's always positive, always fun and lighthearted," said Lowery.
A student pouring over a book in front of a display.
"I will say this- last year I asked for Spanish titles and they didn't give them to me. So, I stayed on them this year. So we do have that, and I'm really proud of that," Lowery said.
A Tour of the Book Fair:
All photos taken by Rebecca Billette.