Happy Birthday to the Paperback Book! Why I Love Paperbacks in the Classroom

Did you know that July 30th is considered the birthday of the paperback book? When I hear the words "paperback book", I immediately feel nostalgic! It was the paperback book that made me an avid reader! (Shown above are some of my childhood favorites!)

Why Are Paperbacks so Popular in Classrooms?

Affordability: Let's face it—classroom libraries have tight budgets. Paperbacks are much cheaper than hardcovers, so you can stock more titles and give students more choice.

Popularity: When students visit the library, bookstore, or the school's book fair, most of the books available are in paperback. When browsing the shelves, your students are more likely to find something they're excited to read.

Portability: Paperbacks are lighter, easier to carry, and slip nicely into backpacks.

Comfort: There's something cozy about holding a flexible, well-loved paperback. 

Keeping Paperbacks in Good Shape: A Few Tips

Of course, one downside of paperbacks is that they can wear out quickly in busy classrooms. The average lifespan of a classroom paperback is three to five years. Make sure to give your books some extra TLC to get the most years of use! Here are some teacher-tested tips:

• Prepare the spine before the first reading. Show students how to "break in" the book gently. Place it on a flat surface, open the front cover and press lightly, then do the same with the back cover, working in small sections toward the middle. This helps avoid cracked or broken spines later.

• Provide bookmarks for students to use while reading. Bookmarks help to avoid the damage of dog-eared pages. Did you know, using a bookmark can increase motivation, reading stamina, and help to support comprehension while reading?

Bookmarks for grades 3-6 and middle school can be purchased at shop.readsidebyside.com/collections/consumables.

• Teach book care routines. Build book care into your classroom culture. Teach students to handle books with clean hands, turn pages gently, and return them properly. Encourage students to report when a book has been damaged so the proper steps can be taken to repair the book.

Pictured above are the use of bins, bags, or baskets to help protect paperbacks!

• Book jackets or covers. If you want to go the extra mile, you can use clear adhesive covers to strengthen high-use titles or use a book sleeve to add extra protection.

Celebrate Paperbacks!

July is the perfect month to celebrate this reader-friendly format! As you embark on your summer adventure, don't forget to stock your carry-on bag, beach bag, backpack or purse with a few of your favorite titles! Will you reread a favorite, or try something new?

Are you looking for a reading program to increase motivation and achievement?

We are confident the Read Side by Side Reading Program will be the right fit for your next curriculum adoption! To learn more about the program and request a sample kit, connect with one of our advisors!

Written by Sarah Collinge

Founder & President

Read Side by Side Publications, LLC.

Sarah is the author of Raising the Standards through Chapter Books, 2nd Edition and the Read Side by Side Reading Program. Her work is impacting schools across the world that desire to increase students' confidence and motivation in reading. Her eleven years teaching intermediate students in Title 1 schools brings credibility to her work. Connect with Sarah!

References and Further Reading:

• Days of the Year Blog: Paperback Book Day
• Video: How to Avoid Cracking the Spine of a Book
• Read Side by Side Blog: Setting Up the Classroom Library