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If you watched people leaving the closed-down Bi-Lo on U.S. 411 South over the weekend, you might have wondered why they were carrying boxes and wearing grins.

It turns out, in this era of Facebook frenzy, real books were putting smiles on those faces.

The Boys and Girls Club Million Dollar Book Sale was under way. More than $1 million worth of books, at face value, were being sold at rock-bottom prices at one location in Blount County and another in Knox.

The bad news is last weekend's sale is history. The good news: You get another shot at it. The Million Dollar Book Sale will be repeated this week -- 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1-6 p.m. on Sunday.

The books were supplied by the American Book Co. based in Woodstock, Ga. Not used or worn books -- all new and slick.

A portion of sale proceeds supports the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley -- including the Eagleton Club, at 241 Currie Road, and the Parkside Unit, at 420 Home Ave., both in Maryville.

The bargain is this: For $40 you buy all the books you can fit into a box provided at the store. There is a condition -- you can't try a "Cat in the Hat" trick and balance a stack of books rising out of the box. You have to be able to fold the box top closed flat. Well, reasonably flat.

This is the first year for the Million Dollar Book Sale in Blount County. Michelle Davis, executive director for the Boys and Girls Club of Blount County, said the initial effort has been satisfactory, so far -- "We felt we had a good turnout."

But it's obvious she's looking for more and hoping to spread the word about the sale -- "I think we can do much better."

For inveterate readers, the lure would seem irresistible. Talented packers can layer 30 to 40 books in a box. Davis says she knows one box was stuffed with 93 children's books. A single box can hold books valued at hundreds of dollars retail.

The sale has two big pluses. For one, it's a great way to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club. For another, it's a terrific opportunity to get books out into the community.

Some teachers and school librarians arrived last weekend with Million Dollar Book Sale coupons donated by contributors who support reading in their schools.

The Million Dollar Book sale started with 80,000-100,000 books inside the old Bi-Lo, and lots are left.

One bit of advice: The books are not arranged by category, so give yourself time to browse. Think of it a treasure hunt for knowledge. You might just hit the book jackpot.

Regardless of what books you find at the sale, one thing is certain, young people will benefit from your purchase.

Consider that last year the Boys and Girls Club of Blount County served 581 kids. It provided transportation from 10 schools and served 41,000 hot meals and snacks, all USDA-approved for nutritional value.

The Boys and Girls Club offers programs ranging from arts and crafts and recreation to social activities and games.

It's a place where kids aged 5-17 can find a safe environment after school and have fun. It's a place to get homework done and meet friends. It's a place to learn from role models and how to be good citizens.

The Boys and Girls Club is a place where young people evolve into our next adult generation. It warrants our attention.

Thursday through Sunday the old Bi-Lo store will be a place where you can support efforts to guide kids onto the right path -- and pick up enough books to keep your reading habit sated for months.