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The Endz of an Era

Scholastic is not going to allow its Bratz books, which are based on the sexy, sexy children’s toys, to be sold at book fairs for children anymore. Apparently, consumer groups complained about the books, which had titles like Catwalk Cuties, Dancin’ Divas, and Pukin’ to Pretty*, and Scholastic finally pulled the plug. I had forgotten all about Scholastic’s involvement in the schools: I really miss book fairs and book orders. Sometimes those were the highlights of my year.

* Just kidding about that last one.

Comments (15)

1

I'd like to think the Scholastic people pulled the plug just because the Bratz are nasty, but could this have more to do with Mattel winning a huge intellectual property battle with Bratz' creator?

Posted by Westside forever | September 22, 2008 4:08 PM
2

As far as elementary-school-me was concerned, the day the new Scholastic catalog came was second only to the day the boxes of books ordered *from* the catalogs came.

Posted by brinsonian | September 22, 2008 4:13 PM
3

And the worst day is when they fulfilled your order with the wrong book(s)!

Posted by stinkbug | September 22, 2008 4:31 PM
4

Well despite the fear that the nation's children can't be bothered to read anymore, the twice yearly Scholastic Book Fair at my son's school is always jam packed with kids. And they aren't just buying all the big toy corporation shit that Scholastic diversified into selling in recent years, sometimes besides the Pokemon, and Bratz, and My Little Pony stuff the kids buy non-toy related books too.

The Scholastic store is always on my list of places to visit when I am in NYC. Of course I say it's because I'm getting something for my son...

Posted by PopTart | September 22, 2008 4:32 PM
5

I visited the Scholastic book distribution warehouse when I was about 10. My father brought me there, but I do not remember how he got access (maybe because he was a school teacher). They even found my latest order for me so I could take it home. My only regret is that I purchased and read all that bubble-gum teeny-bopper bullshit, when I could have been reading science books or the classics.

Posted by Mrs. Jarvie | September 22, 2008 4:43 PM
6

Ahh, Scholastic. I remember in middle school the teacher of the class in charge of the Scholastic order didn't want to deal with it cause he didn't think the kids cared enough. So I took over collecting the money and orders because I wanted my books. He was so impressed with my entusiasm he gave me the free books they give to teachers for kids ordering. Best year ever!

Posted by Enigma | September 22, 2008 4:45 PM
7

I loved book fairs so much.

Posted by Carollani | September 22, 2008 4:57 PM
8

Book fairs! A happy thought in an otherwise miserable day...

Posted by jennifer | September 22, 2008 5:05 PM
9

oh to hold one of those super-recycled, yet full color, newspaperish order forms again! (i would totally order pukin' to pretty.)

Posted by isweatbutter | September 22, 2008 5:21 PM
10

Scholastic gives teachers points for every book order, which they can redeem for free books or electronics. My mom was a teacher and she got about half of our appliances through Scholastic. She put off retirement for a few months so she could get enough points for a free Apple computer.

Posted by Cristin | September 22, 2008 6:37 PM
11

You guys had book fairs? Damn... it sounds like they were really cool. Now I'm feeling like I really missed out.

Posted by Sondari | September 22, 2008 8:47 PM
12

Those book orders were the highlight of my years as well. One time I bought a book about Lizzie Borden from the Scholastic book order. There were pictures of the crime scene. I was in 4th grade.

Posted by Alex | September 23, 2008 8:56 AM
13

@12 -- I bought that at a book fair too! I had no idea who Lizzie Borden was when I was nine, but I was fascinated that she (allegedly) hacked her parents to pieces. Who let me have that book anyway?

Posted by Sarah | September 23, 2008 11:24 AM
14

I bought the Lizzie Borden book, too! I mean, how could you not?

Posted by Propaniac | September 23, 2008 12:17 PM
15

Once we got past third grade, I was always the only one in class who ordered any books. It was beyond tragic.

Am I the only one who felt really guilty for sometimes coveting books in the younger groups (the newsletters were organized by grade/age)?

Posted by Gloria | September 24, 2008 7:25 AM

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