Top view angle of a young kid laying in a bean bag and reading a book.

Rebel Reading Room

Take a peek inside the scarlet and gray reading room at a local elementary.

A bean bag makes a comfortable spot to read a book. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

UNLV's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi landed a $2,500 literacy grant from the national honor society to create the Rebel Reading Room at Dean Petersen Professional Development School. The vision of school librarian James Bowen, the Rebel Reading Room rewards for hard-working students who exhibit the school's "Pillar of Character" traits: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, citizenship, fairness, and caring. Members of the Rebel Reading Room receive their own book, enjoy stories read aloud by Phi Kappa Phi student volunteers, and have an "environmentally 'poppin' space they can explore, read, dream, wonder, and fall in love with learning and literature," says Bowen. The UNLV Phi Kappa Phi members wrote the grant and helped paint, decorate, and supply the room.

Student pointing to a word inside of a book that a young child is holding.
UNLV student Kristen Tardio reads with a student inside the Rebel Reading Room at Dean Petersen Elementary. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

Two younger children focused and reading books.
UNLV chairs and plenty of scarlet and gray decorate the Rebel Reading Room. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

Student sitting by two young children who seem to be focused on what they are reading.
UNLV soccer player Ricky Acero reads with students at Petersen Elementary. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

Group of people standing and discussing.
James Bowen, librarian at Dean Petersen Elementary School, talks about the Rebel Reading Room during a dedication ceremony. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

Student sitting between two younger children who are reading their books.
UNLV student Kristen Tardio reads with a student inside the Rebel Reading Room at Dean Petersen Elementary. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

Student helping out three younger children who are focused on their books.
UNLV soccer player Ricky Acero reads with students at Petersen Elementary. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

Reading room with tv in corner and iconic UNLV logo on wall.
The Rebel Reading Room inside the school library at Dean Petersen Elementary is a quiet place to curl up with a book. (R. Marsh Starks/UNLV Photo Services)

Campus Units:

Division of Student Affairs

You Might Also Like

Expanding Access to Care Through the UNLV Community Clinic
Elissa Palmer, MD, FAAFP, and medical students at the UNLV Community Clinic, located at Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada’s Ruffin Family Clinic.
Business and Community | August 25, 2026

The clinic is providing care to the most underserved members of the Las Vegas community, all while offering critical learning experiences to Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV students.

A Mission To Serve
Jennifer Young on a trail at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Business and Community | August 18, 2026

At the heart of the School of Medicine's commitment to service is Jennifer Young, whose work continues to strengthen the bonds between the school and the community it serves.

More about Business and Community