Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/726969
In Under the Lemon Moon (grades 1-2), a man steals lemons from young Rosalinda's beloved tree, which soon falls sick. While searching the Mexican countryside for a legendary wise woman who helps heal the tree, Rosalinda spots the man selling her lemons at the market, with his wife and infant nearby. Soon the tree bears fruit again; Rosalinda hands them out to all, including the thief, telling him to plant the seeds. The story, by Edith Hope Fine and illustrated by René King Moreno, charms with its themes of forgiveness and regeneration. The protagonist of Dumplin' (grades 9-12), by Julie Murphy, is self-pro- claimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson, 16, who has always been comfortable in her own skin. But she starts to doubt herself when she becomes attracted to Bo, so to take back her confidence she enters a local beauty contest to show the world that she deser ves to be up there as much as any skinny girl does. WALK-IN TO RECLAIM YOUR SCHOOL On Oct. 6, join thousands of educators, students, parents and community members across the coun- try to show support for your school — and for the schools all our children deser ve. The Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools urges groups to gather before school starts in the morning and walk in together — a highly visible, positive and collaborative action that demonstrates commitment to public educa- tion. The alliance includes community organizations and labor groups fighting for educational justice. reclaimourschools.org. (See video of previous walk-ins at bit.ly/2bIX89h.) Hispanic/Latino Americans have a dominant presence in the U.S. and particularly in Cal- ifornia: 39 percent of the state's population is of Hispanic or Latino origin; Hispanic/ Latino students make up almost 53 percent of public school enrollment in California. Hispanic Heritage Month begins each year on Sept. 15, the anniversary of indepen- dence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period, and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is Oct. 12. Educators can find lesson plans, activi- ties and more at nea.org and the Library of Congress website, loc.gov. HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Celebrate the history, contributions and cultures of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. What to Read Now Excellent choices for class, as recommended by #CaliforniaReads; see cta.org/californiareads for more. CALENDAR U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, California-born son of farmworkers, will read the inaugural poem to kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month. 8 cta.org in the know