The Big Read 2025 and free, family activities

In South Florida, the Miami Book Fair and the Miami-Dade Public Library system are among the participants that will be offering free activities and presentations to explore themes from a selected book.

The Big Read 2025 is a yearly event by the National Endowment for the Arts aimed at broadening our understanding of the world, our communities and ourselves through books. 

This year's Big Read programs are scheduled through Nov. 30. 

So, what's this year's selection? Participants are invited to read “The House on Mango Street,” by Sandra Cisneros, a coming-of-age novel which invites us to reflect on the spaces we come from – and the ones we create – as we navigate hope, courage, and connection.

Here are some of the events during The Big Read event, click on the event name links for full info:

Thursday, Oct. 9 at 11:30 a.m.
Big Read Miami + Miami-Dade Transit: Literature on the Move
Government Center, 111 NW 1 St., Miami

Sunday, Oct. 12 at noon
Writing Home: Telling Stories with Heart: A Creative Writing Workshop with Ruth Behar
Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, 301 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.
Live Arts Miami + MOCA Songwriting Workshop with Guest Inez Barlatier
Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125 St., North Miami

Sunday, Oct. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Walking Tour: Jewish Miami Beach – A Century of Community, Culture and Change
Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, 301 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m.
The Roots of Freedom: Tracing the Past, Shaping the Future
Freedom Tower, 300 NE 2 Ave., Miami

There will be discussions on “The House on Mango Street” throughout The Big Read months until Nov. 13. Click here to see the schedule.

The two-month event culminates with the story book picnic whose location and date are yet to be announced.

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