The First-Place Winner and recipient of a visit from best-selling author Lauren Tarshis plus 2,000 Scholastic Dollars™ is:

St. Timothy’s Lutheran School
Book Fair Chairperson: Christine Hindenes
San Jose, CA
Theme: Every Book is a Treasure

Students at St. Timothy’s Lutheran School believe their Scholastic Book Fair should be a “national holiday.” That’s how much excitement gets generated about reading and books! Decorating begins in the summer months and doesn’t stop until the Book Fair begins in late October. Everyone at this school of 115 students volunteers in one way or another – from students creating theme-related art projects, to parents helping on weekends, to teachers, school staff and the principal.

The main hall of the building was transferred into a Pirates Adventure, including a pirate ship, with dock, crow’s nest, parrots, and a full sail. The scene was embellished with pirates, piles of gold coins, an oasis with palm tree, and a treasure chest guarded by a very large crocodile. Fifth grade students dressed as pirates for the Family Event and sang a song orchestrated by the school’s music teacher.

The school’s principal got involved by dressing as a pirate and promoting the Book Fair on a video run one month before the Fair. She appeared at the pre-Fair assembly in her outfit and introduced “Cap’n Book” who gave booktalks and talked about the importance of reading. More videos were made and shared of students booktalking, and telling personal stories about why reading was important to them.

Other special events were a Book Bucks Fun Run sponsored by the P.E. teacher. It began two months before the Fair and students ran laps to earn bucks to spend at the Book Fair. Many students donated their earned buck to All for Books™. The school’s Grand Event caps the week and is a big annual tradition at the school. Congratulations to St. Timothy’s Lutheran School students, staff, and parents for making their Book Fair such a great event!