Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1515721
Feb. 14 is International Book Giving Day, but you don't have to give books to share the joy of reading with students. Use the books at left from CTA's California Reads program in your classroom to engage, inspire and learn. Find the full list of 2024 teacher-vetted books — available for purchase at a 20% member discount — at cta.org/careads. Martin & Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank (Nancy Churnin, author; Yevgenia Nayberg, illus- trator; grades 3–7) explores how the experiences of both icons — born in the same year — paralleled each other in many ways. Treated as inferior due to their race, Dr. King and Anne Frank dreamed of a world where equality and justice prevail. Ultimately, they believed love is stronger than hate, and that kindness can heal the world. In A Is for Ambitious (Meena Harris, author; Marissa Valdez, illustrator; preschool-grade 2), the bestselling team behind Ambitious Girl is back to take AG on a new adventure. A fun and empowering picture book — perfect for read-aloud — reclaims words often used to undermine girls and women from A to Z. When they 're ready to take on the world, ambitious readers will have the vocabulary to do so. A Pho Love Story (Loan Le, author; grades 7 and up) tells the smart, funny story of two Vietnamese American teens who fall in love and must navigate their newfound relationship amid their families' age-old feud about their competing, neighborhood restaurants. Many young readers will identify with the experience of being children of immigrants, assimilation and cultural identity — including cuisine. Read Across America Read Across America Day is traditionally celebrated on March 2, which is a Sunday in 2024. Educators, students and community members can celebrate all week long, however, during Read Across America Week, March 2–6. NEA celebrates a nation of diverse readers year-round, with recommended books, authors and teaching resources that promote diversity and inclusion. Choose from monthly recommendations in NEA's Read Across America digital calendar or search all book lists at nea.org/readacross. Each month has a theme; for example, February 2024 is "Advance Racial Justice," and March 2024 is "Celebrate Diversity." Love Is Loud: How Diane Nash Led the Civil Rights Movement, one of three books recommended in NEA's Read Across America digital calendar. The Joy of Reading 10 cta.org In the Know N E W S & N O T E S