Edited 3/9/2023: Due to the storm that is forecast this weekend, Deb Watley's author visit has been rescheduled and will now be Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m. at Bonanzaville.
About the Red River Valley Kids Read:
This year’s Red River Valley Kids Read regional reading program for kids features the book Summer Ruins by South Dakota author Deb Watley. A partnership between the public libraries in Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, Grand Forks and Wahpeton, this reading project runs from March 1 – 31 at all partner libraries. Throughout March, area children are invited to read the book, attend an author visit, and take part in book-related events. A limited number of free books will be available beginning March 1 thanks to a donation from the Friends of the Fargo Public Library and a grant from the Awesome Foundation: Cass Clay. Summer Ruins is most appropriate for kids in grade 3 and above.
Related events offered as part of this event series at the Fargo Public Library include:
• The Red River Valley Kids Read project will feature an author visit from Deb Watley*, writer of Summer Ruins. All ages are welcome to attend Watley’s author presentation Saturday, April 1, starting at 2 p.m. at Bonanzaville located at 1351 Main Ave. W., West Fargo. Watley will share what she has learned about the science of archeology and how she researches and writes her novels. Watley is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and the South Dakota Archaeological Society. Following the author presentation, Bonanzaville curator David Hubin will provide a guided tour of the historical artifacts in the Main Building. No registration is required to attend this event. This event is most appropriate for kids ages 8 and older.
* Please note the new date.
• Kids in grades 3 to 7 are invited to experience Summer Ruins-related activities, a book discussion, snacks and crafts as part of the March Going Places Book Club session scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, at 4 p.m. at the downtown Main Library. To register for this book club, call 701.241.1495 or stop by Children’s Services Desk at the Main Library.
• Archeology is the study of the past using materials that people left behind. Dr. George Holley, archeologist and retired MSUM professor, will visit the Main Library on Tuesday, March 14, at 2 p.m. and present “Uncovering Pieces of the Past” to explain the practice of archeology. He will provide hands-on activities and participants will view artifacts found in our region. This event is most appropriate for kids ages 8 and older, and no registration is required.
• What happens to the artifacts after they are found? Kids in grades 4 to 6 can learn more about the fascinating field of archeology during a tour of NDSU's Archeology Lab with Dr. John Creese, anthropological archaeologist and Associate Professor of Anthropology. Tours will take place Saturday, March 25, at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required for this event and opens March 11. Space is extremely limited so we ask that families minimize the number of adults attending to provide as many children as possible an opportunity to participate. Registrants will receive directions and additional information the day before the tours.
As part of the reading project, kids ages 7 to 14 are invited to participate in a reading challenge by logging into the Fargo Public Library Beanstack app and completing activities to earn digital badges related to the book and events. To download the mobile app, visit https://fargolibrary.beanstack.org. Registration with Beanstack is accessible via web browser, Apple or Android apps.
For details about the Red River Valley Kids Read project and related events, contact the Children’s Services Department at 701.241.1495.
Support for this project is provided by the following organizations: the Friends of the Fargo Public Library, the Cass Clay Chapter of the Awesome Foundation, Friends of the Moorhead Library, Bonanzaville Cass County Historical Society, North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and the Richland County Historical Society.
Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public; adults must accompany children ages nine and younger.