Students at the PBL Jr High peruse the selection of books offered at the book fair.

“Historical Non-fiction! Sports! Mystery! Anything!”  When a 5th grade class from PBL’s Eastlawn School was asked what their favorite kind of book is to read, these were just a few of the answers given.

Recently, the PBL Jr. High and Eastlawn Schools held their fall book fairs where students were able to purchase new books in a variety of their favorite genres. Each student was given a $7.00 coupon (up this year from $5.00) to be used towards the purchase of a book they can call their own.

The coupons are sponsored by the PBL Education Foundation with generous donations from three long-time donors Cynthia Swanson, Farmers-Merchants National Bank and Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services. These coupons allow every student the opportunity to purchase a book even if they would not have the financial means to otherwise.

Ata Bird, PBL Jr. High Librarian and organizer of the week-long event, (which culminated with their 5th Annual Edible Book Festival), summed up the week by writing, “We wrapped up a successful book fair.  Nearly everyone used the gift certificate and they were really excited about the increase!  I had 290 students redeem the $7.00 gift certificate for a total of $2030.00.  Thanks!”

Eastlawn School’s book fair ran October 2nd – October 4th with a Family Night capping off their event, which invites Eastlawn students and their families to attend the book fair together and see what it has to offer. PIT Crew President Julie Foster monitored the book fair Tuesday morning and expressed her gratitude on behalf of the students for the increased donation. In total, 267 Eastlawn students redeemed their $7.00 coupons, totaling $1,869.00.  

The PBL Education Foundation will also provide coupons for the students at Clara Peterson school for their book fair which will take place in the spring. For more information on the PBL Education Foundation and the other programs that impact the students of the PBL School District, go to www.pblfoundation.org.

A few PBL Eastlawn students looking for the perfect book at the recent book fair.