The Michigan cities of Northville and Detroit are separated by no more than 30 miles. 

However, when Rithisha Pasunoori, a student at Northville High School, was seeking to identify a meaningful school project that would make a positive contribution to metro Detroit and the world, she sought to bring Northville and Detroit even closer through the power of books and reading. 

This noble desire led Pasunoori to collect more than 5,300 books over two years, which she then donated to Birdie’s Bookmobile, a Detroit-based nonprofit committed to ending “book deserts” while increasing children’s literacy. 

“I always enjoyed reading. But as I began researching topics for my personal project, I learned that not all children have access to books,” said Pasunoori, a rising senior at Northville High School, who began the book drive during her sophomore year through partnerships she established with local schools, businesses, churches, community organizations and residents of Northville.

“With this project, and with the help of my partners, I wanted to close the literacy gap.” 

And as Pasunoori helps hundreds — and perhaps thousands — of young people discover the magic of books, she said she also has discovered what it means to experience fulfillment.

"When I began, I was like: 'Let's hit 500 books.' So what I feel now is amazing," said Pasunoori, who is leaning toward studying finance or business in college, but knows for sure that she will always be engaged in community service.