The NIRMV Kids Reading Festival Will Be Sat., May 9

Join us from 3-5 p.m. for this official event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NIRMV Recommended Reading List Kids Edition at the Chaney Branch of the Detroit Public Library. Activities include children's storytime experience, Tween Town games, Teen Territory challenges, prizes, snacks and treats and more.

An RSVP is requested and early registration is encouraged. Deadline to register is Sat., Apr. 25, 2026. To register, email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with participant(s) name(s) and age(s) plus registering adult's name. Place "Festival Registration" in subject line. For additional information, call 313.778.1550. Download the reading festival flyer (PDF)

 

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Reading Festival Postponed

The festival scheduled for Sat., Nov. 22 at the Redford Branch of the Detroit Public Library has been postponed. We'll let you know when a new date has been set. Until then, celebrate by checking out the 10th anniversary Recommended Reading List Kids Edition.

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Reading festival registration deadline extended

If you missed the deadline, you've still got time! Registration has been extended to Sat., Nov. 15 for the festival, happening Sat., Nov. 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the Redford branch of the Detroit Public Library. RSVPs are requested so we have enough prizes and treat bags. It's easy to register! Just email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with participant(s) name(s) and age(s) plus registering adult's name. Place "Festival Registration" in subject line. We hope you'll join us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Recommended Reading List Kids Edition. Download the flyer (pdf).

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Save the Date: A Reading Festival to Celebrate the 10th NIRMV Reading List Kids Edition

Join us on Sat., Nov. 22, 2025 from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Redford branch of the Detroit Public Library for an afternoon of fun to say happy 10th anniversary to the NIRMV Reading List Kids Edition. The celebration will feature the 2025 list launch, prizes, grab & go bags, snacks and treats, and more. Download the flyer (pdf).

RSVP requested. Registration deadline is Oct. 17, 2025. Early registration is encouraged. To register, email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with participant(s) name(s) and age(s) plus registering adult's name. Place "Festival Registration" in subject line. For additional information, call 313.778.1550.

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A Salute to Goal Achiever Award Winner Barbara Jo Hawkins

Barbara Jo Hawkins was chair of the NIRMV Recommended Reading List Kids Edition for 2022. This awards gallery celebrates and honors her contribution to NIRMV and young readers with the Goal Achiever Award. 

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NIRMV Kids List Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to NIRMV Recommended Reading List Kids Edition! We deemed five years as a cause for celebration.Big thanks to Chair for List and Celebration Allean H. House. Kudos to list founders Shirley Berry and Darlene House.  Salute to sustaining supporters especially NIRMV Literacy Chair Erica Dean. Instead of eating cake, the NIRMV team delivered 21 books to kids throughout the country. The 2020 Recommended Reading List Kids Edition is posted at nirmvkids.org. Read On!

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Reading Rewards Stay-At-Home Party

On ARISE Detroit Neighborhoods Day, NIRMV held its first Reading Rewards Stay-At-Home Party. This August 1, 2020 event served as a great way to debut our 2020 Recommended Reading List Kids Edition. Our youngest participants were 4 years old. The oldest participants were 16 years old. Every participant received a kit with the list plus age-appropriate activity sheets and treats. Enthusiasm was evident and feedback was incredibly positive as shown in photos below. Special thanks to Allean H. House who served as chair for both the list and party. The efforts of team members Vice President James Hines, Treasurer Cynthia Hines and Youth Services Coordinator Jackie Butts were very much appreciated. We also salute the Deemettes of 54 for being the largest group of participants.

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NIRMV New Book Club Update

What tied for first and second place in reported activities/experiences related to new NIRMV book club? Attending public events where poetry is featured or adding poetry collections to reading lists. NIRMV Founder/President Darlene House's Ultimate Inspirational Role Model and maternal grandmother, Louisiana Hines, shown at the mike, was a centenarian when she received an award and responded with reciting some requested inspirational poems. Don't forget this is month three for our launch plan. Check flyer for details.

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NIRMV Recommended Reading List Preview Series Launch

Thrilled to launch new series during March Reading Month.

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NIRMV Recommended Reading List Tenth Anniversary Highlights

After a decade of creating and distributing the NIRMV Recommended Reading List, our dedicated team felt there was great cause for celebration. We had a great time throughout 2018 sharing news about our signature literature focus with diverse people from kids to seniors. Children at Metropolitan Detroit Area Boys & Girls Clubs enjoyed participating in NIRMV Adventure Land plus Face of Greatness Coloring Contest linked to kids list books and authors. The climatic event for the list was held at Detroit Public Library Main Library as a complement to a month and half showcase exhibit set up near library's Cass Avenue entrance. Featured authors of list selections were present to share insights and readings plus conduct book signings/giveaways. They included Anne Doyle, Jean Alicia Elster and Gwen Lewis. It was thrilling to hear selections from the Detroit Public Library Choir. Long-time NIRMV Recommended Reading List team member and supporter, educator Erica Dean, received an outstanding leadership award. Another highlight was presentation of award to the NIRMV The Next Chapter Teen Essay Contest Winner. To encourage inspirational reading of books from all genres, NIRMV gave away and donated list books throughout the year. Read on!

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