PUBYAC 2/2011

Throughout the year, hold onto withdrawn paperbacks of popular titles or
series that are too torn up to circulate anymore. Then, shred each book,
using a shredder that produces pieces big enough that you can still see an
entire word now and then, or maybe see a font from the title page. You can
shred the cover and binding, too. Then put the entire shredded book in a
jar, and have kids enter their guess at what book it is. You will be
astonished at how many kids guess not only the correct series, but the exact
title, too. As a prize, the kids love receiving the shredded book, and we
give a "non-shredded" book, as well. This draws kids in because of the
novelty of seeing a book shredded up, and because of the challenge of
figuring out the answer. It also encourages kids to use the computer
catalog, because often they can't remember who the author of a series is.