LINDA KANE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

February 16, 2006

Meredith Middle School offers quite a deal for bookworms.

For merely $2, brand-new books can be purchased from the new student Bulldog Bookstore and soon, they'll offer used books at $1 apiece.

That's quite a deal when the books normally cost at least $15, said students who run the bookstore.

Eighth-graders in the Character Group at Meredith, 4827 Madison Ave., established the student bookstore with help from guidance counselor Kristen Walker. The store opened in December.

The Character Group was excited Feb. 1 because sales were good. They sold 13 books that day. On average, they sell only four or five.

"I told you it was going to be a good day," Walker said.

The bookstore is open from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The store got its start after the school received a grant for 200 books as well as tablecloths, aprons and a cash register.

The bookstore generated $150 recently and used $130 of it to buy more books for the store, students said. Their goal is to earn a significant amount of money to give to a charity.

Nick Hestbech, Ashley Neal, Emily Dungan and Jason Reichenbacher, all 13-year-olds from north Des Moines, were nominated by classmates to serve in the Character Group with nine other students. The Character Group was organized to perform service projects and the entire group is in charge of the bookstore.

"Even doing something little, a lot of people appreciate it," Emily said.

Jason said being part of the Character Group has taught him responsibility.

"It's fun. You get to hang out with different people you might not normally hang out with," he said. "It's a support group, I would call it."

Jason said the bookstore encourages students to read more. He was hoping to buy one of the books recently but when he went back to get it, it was already gone.

"If they can't afford a $10-$15 dollar book (elsewhere) they can get it for $2" at the school store, Nick said.

Emily reads the backs of the books while she's working in the store. Jason said he prefers to read action, science-fiction or historical books.

While they're doing something good for their peers, Walker said, the Character Group is getting something in return.

The students learn responsibility by setting out the books, tracking inventory, balancing the register, doing promotions and making announcements. They just started selling gift certificates.

"It's hard to make a profit because you have to buy new inventory," Jason said.

Walker said the students also learn to take pride in their work. Some children enjoy greeting customers, while others would rather run the cash register.

"This is experience for a job in their future," she said.