During the Sahuaro Book Club’s inaugural year, they created a tradition that has become a staple in the springtime here at Sahuaro. The book drive is a two-week-long event that collects gently used books from Sahuaro staff and students to give away during Spring Fling.
The accompanying book walk is similar to a cake walk, but instead of cakes, you pick a piece of literature and use the books collected as prizes. The best part about this game at the spring fling is that it’s free! You can play as many times as you want, and try to win as many books as your heart wishes. This event provides a fun incentive to read and is a great way for students to get free books and build their library, making reading more accessible.
This idea was created by the club president in 2023, but all members and Mrs. Krieg were fond of the idea and have kept the tradition going. The club wanted a way to participate in the upcoming Spring Fling, and after tossing around a couple of ideas, the club agreed on a book walk and collecting books during a book drive to supply the game.
In past years, club members would decorate a box for each English teacher to keep in their classroom and collect donations in it, which would later be collected. Mrs. Krieg said, “Teachers really loved the boxes, and students liked making them.” A prize was usually given to a class, class period, or sometimes a student, based on how many books were donated. However, due to the tight schedule the club has had this year, there is just one main box in the library where all donations can be collected, but next year, the club is going to bring it all back.
So far, there haven’t been as many donations compared to previous years, but Mrs. Krieg said, “It’s really nice. We got a variety of reading levels, even some middle school levels…but even those lower, maybe a little lower books, like I said, from middle school, have been welcome additions for our reluctant readers, so it’s really nice to have all variety of reading levels for everyone.”
After the event, any books that are not won during the book walk will go to a cart in the library, and are free for students to take throughout the year. Mrs. Krieg likes to highlight this cart at the beginning of the following school year when she does orientations in the library.
Along with the book walk, the club will sell donuts, their staple, and an assortment of drinks, including strawberry lemonade, horchata, and water. This is the club’s main way to fundraise, so if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat after participating in the walk, the book club has you covered.
This club is finding a fun way to make reading accessible to students and give a new life to each book. Spring is the perfect time to clean, so if you have any books to donate, drop them off in the box in the library until April 30th, and make sure to check out the club’s table at Spring Fling on May 2nd.
