Fighting For Ms. Rios

Young Aiden is blessed with an extraordinary gift-- a genius for observing the complex world of public schools through a child’s lens, and putting it into words. In a series of journals inspired by his teacher, he takes us back to fourth grade, on his terms, weaving lyrical stories that simultaneously captivate, enrage, and entertain. But Aiden is not just a storyteller. He’s a fighter, with a natural instinct to defend the things that matter: his family, his Yankees hat, and of course, his remarkable first-year teacher, Ms. Rios. Not since "The Art of Racing in the Rain" has such an unlikely narrator so eloquently captured this joyful tone. Teetering between triumph and angst, we find ourselves immersed in the magic of elementary school again. Kevin Riley breathes life into this rare and refreshing journey through a school called “El Milagro” (the miracle). In an ironic contrast, the 35-year veteran educator has chosen to channel his experience through the voice of a child who writes in both whispers and roars. “Fighting for Ms. Rios” is a tribute to the sweet brilliance of children and to the amazing teachers that work with them every day.