13 Book Fair Buys That Everyone Wanted
Walking into a book fair in the ’90s or early 2000s felt like entering a world designed just for kids. The smell of new books, colorful displays, and tables full of irresistible items created an energy that nothing else at school could match.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
The school book fair was more than just a place to buy books. It was a magical event that transformed hallways into treasure troves of reading and fun. Everyone walked in with a few dollars and left with a bag full of dreams, stickers, and scented pens. It was a moment of joy, independence, and pure childhood excitement that left a lasting impression on an entire generation.
1. Goosebumps Books
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R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series was always front and center. Kids rushed to grab the latest creepy title before it sold out. The covers were eerie, colorful, and oddly satisfying to touch. Even those who didn’t love reading wanted one in their backpack. They were spooky in the best possible way.
2. Poster Packs
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Posters featuring kittens, race cars, or unicorns folded neatly into clear plastic sleeves were a top pick. They rarely made it home unwrinkled, but that didn’t matter. Everyone had their favorite theme, and the walls were decorated proudly. Picking the right one felt like a serious decision. The cooler the poster, the more popular you felt.
3. Erasers That Looked Like Food
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Mini erasers shaped like pizza slices, burgers, and sushi were oddly irresistible. No one ever used them for actual erasing. They lived in pencil cases like little collectible treasures. Kids traded them like currency on the playground. They were fun, tiny, and smelled vaguely like plastic fruit.
4. Scented Gel Pens
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Every student wanted a pack of those glittery gel pens that smelled like strawberries or blueberries. Notes written with them looked magical under classroom lights. Each color had its own scent, and everyone had a favorite. The pens were smooth and slightly smudgy, but no one cared. They made even math homework exciting.
5. Animorphs Series
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The covers alone could stop you in your tracks, showing kids morphing into animals mid-motion. It was the book fair’s sci-fi staple, packed with action and mystery. Reading one made you feel like you were part of something big. You grabbed the newest release even if you hadn’t finished the last one. Collecting them felt like a mission.
6. Bookmarks with Tassels
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You never really needed ten bookmarks, but you bought them anyway. They came with holograms, tassels, or cheesy quotes about friendship. Some even had moving parts or sparkles. They were small, cheap, and easy to show off. You felt more like a reader just by owning one.
7. Joke and Riddle Books
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Laughter filled the cafeteria as kids shared jokes from their new book fair finds. Titles like 1001 Knock-Knock Jokes or World’s Funniest Riddles were instant icebreakers. Even the shyest kids became comedians with one in hand. The jokes were often cheesy, but always entertaining. These books got passed around until the covers tore.
8. Diaries with Locks
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Having a diary with a tiny silver lock made you feel important. Whether you actually wrote in it or not didn’t matter. It was about the secrecy and the promise of privacy. Some came with fluffy covers or glittery pages. Owning one made you feel a little more grown-up.
9. I Spy Books
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Each page was a visual explosion that could hold your attention for hours. You hunted for random objects hidden in piles of toys, tools, or trinkets. The joy of finding every item felt like solving a mystery. They were part book, part game, and completely addictive. Everyone wanted to take one home.
10. Scratch-and-Sniff Stickers
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Peeling off a sticker and immediately pressing your nose to it became a book fair ritual. They came in sheets featuring everything from cupcakes to root beer. Some smelled great, others not so much, but all were fun to collect. Sticker trades at recess were serious business. You guarded your rare scents like gold.
11. How-To-Draw Books
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Books that taught you how to draw everything from superheroes to animals were always popular. Step-by-step guides made you feel like a real artist. Whether or not your drawings looked like the examples didn’t matter. You brought it to class and practiced during free time. Everyone wanted to see what you could sketch.
12. Highlighting Markers in Neon Colors
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Bright highlighters weren’t just for textbooks. Kids used them to decorate notes, doodle in margins, or color in word bubbles. The more neon, the better. They made everything on paper look more exciting. A full set was a mark of true stationery status.
13. Themed Pencil Toppers
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From spinning planets to tiny aliens, pencil toppers were both fun and distracting. You couldn’t resist squeezing them or watching them bounce as you wrote. Some were scented, others lit up, but all were must-haves. Writing suddenly became way more entertaining. Swapping them with friends was half the fun.