Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1476161
S T A R T T H E Y E A R for students with stories that captivate and empower. Find teacher-vetted selections for all grade levels at CTA's California Reads (cta.org/careads). The 2022 list includes: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (grades 9-12) is a young adult fantasy novel that follows Zélie Adebola as she tries to restore magic to the kingdom of Orïsha after the ruling class brutally suppresses the class of magic practitioners Zélie belongs to. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good. Critics praised the book's examination of oppression, racism and slavery, as well as its coming-of-age story where characters discover their abilities to help shape the world through their actions. Seven-year-old Lena is painting a self-portrait and wants to use brown paint for her skin. In The Colors of Us by Karen Katz (PreK , TK , K), Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades when she and her mother take a walk through the neighborhood. A positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist's perspective. In Ben and Emma's Big Hit, by Gov. Gavin Newsom (grades 1-2), Ben loves baseball, but reading not so much. Like Newsom, Ben has dyslexia, which means letters and sounds get jumbled in his brain and then the words don't make sense. But when he starts looking at read- ing like he looks at baseball, he realizes that if he keeps trying, he can overcome any obstacle that comes his way. The type is set in a font specifically designed to be easier for people with dyslexia to read. Banned Books Week SEPT. 18-24 The annual Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and highlights the value of free and open access to information. The week brings together librarians, teachers and readers, and many others in support of the freedom to seek and express ideas — even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. This year 's theme: "Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us." Go to bannedbooksweek.org for more. BOOKS That Beguile 10 cta.org In the Know N E W S & N O T E S