Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1103796
S P R I N G F E V E R can mean restive students. Settle them with some good reads. Try: Viva Frida (pre-K, kindergarten), by Yuyi Morales. Youngsters will respond to the beautiful photos of puppets, which tell the story of Frida Kahlo's life and inspirations. Text in English and Spanish. Math Curse (grades 3-5), by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. After a teacher tells her class that they can think of almost everything as a math problem, a girl wakes up to find it true: She has 10 things to do, but only 30 minutes until the bus leaves. Is there enough time? She has 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Can she make 1 good outfit? Why can't she just keep 10 cookies without someone taking 3 away? Find out how she breaks the Math Curse! Crenshaw (grades 6-8), by Katherine Applegate. With no money for rent and little for food, Jackson and his parents, little sister and family dog may have to live in their mini- van. Again. Then a big, outspoken cat named Crenshaw comes into his life. But is this imaginary friend enough to save his family? Beautiful Music for Ugly Children (grades 9-12), by Kirstin Cronn-Mills. Gabe Williams is about to graduate from high school, has just started hosting a radio show, and has a crush on his best friend Paige. And — every- one knows him as Elizabeth. Gabe must deal with freaked-out parents and bigoted classmates as he navigates love, sex, and whether to use the men's or women's room. Find more book recommendations at cta.org/californiareads. Spring The Word on 10 cta.org In the Know N E W S & N O T E S