Book Local!

Anyone affiliated with an Island school knows all about the Scholastic Book Fair that comes to the schools twice annually to offer discounted books to kids and much needed funds to the schools. However, this week, school libraries are taking that concept local and teaming up with the last bookstore on the Island to create a mutually beneficial local book fair that kicked off last night at

Every month, the librarians from all of the Island schools meet to discuss things like best practices, new titles and how to get kids to actually return the books they check out. About a year ago they began talking with Bunch of Grapes bookstore about how they could all work together to make something happen locally.

“Part of it came from the fact that so many people are not thrilled with Scholastic Book Fair. The books are not as high quality and the kids don’t really get to choose the books. At the same time, no one wants to give that up, it’s one of the biggest money makers for the schools,” said Kathryn Harcourt, librarian for the . “We decided we’d try this as an alternative, not as a replacement, to the Scholastic Book Fair and see how it goes.”

How it works is that from now through April 15^th, whenever you purchase a children’s or Young Adult book (through the Bunch of Grapes website, via phone or in person), Bunch of Grapes will donate 25% of the pre-tax price to whatever Island school you choose. When purchasing on line, you can designate the school that you wish to receive your donation in the comment field at the bottom of the checkout page. Bunch of Grapes is also happy to direct your donation to the school that needs it most. If you’d like them to choose a school, let them know and when ordering on line, indicate that in the comment field as well.

The schools will receive the donated funds in the form of in-store credit that they can use to purchase books for their libraries and classrooms. There are also a large number of Advanced Reader’s Copies of books that are for sale for a suggested donation of $1 and those funds will be divided evenly between the schools.

You can also help by purchasing books to be added directly to your school’s collection. Each school librarian has worked very hard to create a wish list. Selected choices from those lists are available on the website and in the store. When ordering on line, choose from the list for that school and indicate that this is your wish for the book(s) in the comment field on the checkout page. The full lists will be available in the bookstore during the duration of the fair.

Authors are also getting behind the effort. At last night’s kick off party, visiting authors included Coleen Paratore, author of From Willa, With Love (The Wedding Planner's Daughter), Greg Mone, author of Dangerous Waters: An Adventure on the Titanic and Kate Feiffer, author of No Go Sleep!

This Saturday, Greg Mone will return to Bunch of Grapes for an event of Titanic proportions to mark the 100^th anniversary of the infamous maiden voyage/sinking of the Titanic. Mone will be discussing and signing his new book while visitors explore Bunch of Grape’s extensive selection of Titanic themed books across all age levels.

Harcourt said that the school librarians see this as a win-win situation. “We really want to support Bunch of Grapes as much as they want to support us. They’re our last local book store.”

For more information about the Island Schools Book Fair and to view school wish lists, visit the Island Schools Book Fair page on the Bunch of Grapes website.