Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1525262
Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing (primary school; by Kay Haring and illustrated by Robert Neubecker) explores the life and art of the famed artist from his childhood through his meteoric rise to fame. Illustrations incorporate the young Haring's sketches, and the text describes how he would give many of his paintings away or create them in public places. Haring's humanity, concern for children and disregard for the establishment art world are on display; the book looks at the merits of street art and how it allows everyone to experience and enjoy art. Children will relate to Haring's drive to pursue his calling despite naysayers. On Amazon. Fall Into Reading T H E N E W S C H O O L Y E A R is a time to get students back into books. Encourage them to choose from the 2024 CTA California Reads list — teacher-vetted books that inspire, inform and delight. Here are a few; find more and past years' lists at cta.org/careads. From award-winning actor Maulik Pancholy comes The Best at It (middle school), a hilarious and heartfelt tale of a gay Indian American boy coming into his own. Rahul Kapoor is heading into 7th grade, making him feel increasingly anxious. His grandfa- ther 's advice: Find one thing you're really good at and become the BEST at it. Rahul is convinced that once he finds it, bullies will stop tortur- ing him at school, and he won't be worried about staring too long at his classmate Justin. He's ready to crush this challenge — but what if he finds out he isn't the best at anything? A story about friendship, family and the courage to live your truth. On Amazon. The true story of Black Olympic runner Wilma Rudolph is told in Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman (intermediate school; by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by David Diaz). Before Rudolph was five, polio had paralyzed her left leg, and everyone said she would never walk again. She wore a leg brace until she was 12. But young Wilma vowed that not only would she walk again, she'd run. She ran all the way to the Olympics, where she became the first American woman to earn three gold medals in a single Olympiad in 1960. Rudolph became a role model for black and female athletes and her Olympic successes helped elevate women's track and field in the United States. She is also regarded as a civil rights and women's rights pioneer. On Amazon. 9 A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 24 I