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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2002

News Release

NEA's Read Across America Releases Hispanic Book List

K-12 Recommended Reading List Honors Hispanic Heritage Month

Washington, D.C. - In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), the National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America literacy campaign has released a bilingual reading list of titles appropriate for K-12 students. In addition, the list, which was compiled by Association staff, also includes books that have both Spanish and English editions.

"The changing demographics of our classrooms," says NEA President Reg Weaver, "make it imperative that we address the needs of all of our children. Encouraging kids to read is one of the greatest gifts we can share. Exposing Latino children to books that reflect their culture as well as their language is one of the most effective ways of motivating them to stay in school. We're recommending these books to help Latino young people learn that reading -- in any language -- is not only fun, but also the key to success."

Among the recommended books are award-winning titles like Pam Mu?oz Ryan's Esperanza Rising, the richly illustrated En Mi Familia/In My Family by Carmen Lomas Garza, and classics such as La Casa en Mango Street (The House on Mango Street) by Sandra Cisneros and Cien A?os de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude) by Gabriel Garc?a M?rquez.

NEA's Read Across America, which is a year-round program that culminates with a nationwide reading party held annually on or near Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 2), has released other reading lists over the past five years, but the Hispanic booklist is the project's first bilingual offering. Previous booklists are available in the Read Across America section of NEA's web site. Other bilingual materials being produced for NEA's Read Across America 2003 celebration include an event resource kit, and posters and public service announcements that feature actors Esai Morales and Ming-Na, who serve as honorary co-chairs for this year's event.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.