Book fair encourages reading

Janine Marnien

LA CRESCENTA -- The cafetorium at Mountain Avenue Elementary School

was transformed this week into a book store for the school’s annual book

fair.

Themed “Read for America’s Future,” the fair offered books on science,

American history, poetry and reference books at store prices to students

and parents.

“We hope that the students will love to read,” Cindy Rademacher,

chairwoman of the event, said. “That’s the whole idea. We want to

encourage reading.”

Even though the fair forced students out of their regular indoor

eating area and outside for a week, some didn’t seem to mind.

“I got ‘Lord of the Rings,’ ” sixth-grader Brett Matejka said. “Some

of the books here are pretty interesting.”

In planning the event, organizers were careful to take into account

the diverse student population. A table with books specifically geared to

the school’s Korean community was included at the fair.

The PTA sponsored the event and Mrs. Nelson’s Book Fair Co. provided

the books. Sales are expected to exceed $5,000. Of the total profits, 20%

to 30% will go to the school. Money raised will be used to buy books for

classrooms.