35 Best Books for Teaching U.S. Regions: Using Fiction to Help Students Explore the Geography, History, and Cultures of the Seven U.S. Regions-and Link Literature to Social Studies

Jane Kurtz moved with her family to Ethiopia when she was two years old and spent most of her childhood there. Drawing on vivid memories and extensive research, she has written both fiction and nonfiction books set in Ethiopia. Many of her books have won awards -- including her first middle-grade novel, The Storyteller's Beads, and her most recent show more picture book, River Friendly, River Wild. In addition to her own writing, Ms. Kurtz enjoys teaching and talking about writing She speaks at schools and conferences Since 1997, Ms. Kurtz has traveled back to Ethiopia and East Africa several times, and she hopes to continue to do so regularly. When not traveling, she lives in Kansas with her husband show less