Mariana Dale
explores and explains the forces that shape how and what kids learn from kindergarten to high school.
Published March 29, 2024 5:00 AM
Natalie Daily, Octavia E. Butler Library Librarian, speaks to students visiting the science fiction festival on March 22, 2024.
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Julie Leopo
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LAist
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Topline:
LAist recently reported a story about the Pasadena middle school Octavia E. Butler once attended— and that now bears her name— and has these recommendations from the adults— and more importantly, students— we talked to.
Why sci-fi: Eighth grader Brooklyn Roffman says she’s “a big catastrophizer,” but reading about dystopian and post-apocalypse futures isn’t depressing, it’s motivating. “I just start thinking, ‘How did this happen and how can I prevent this from happening?’” Brooklyn says.
Kindred: Octavia E. Butler’s 1979 novel is the story of a contemporary California woman transported to the plantation where her ancestors were enslaved. The book was adapted into a graphic novel in 2018. “I don't fit into any of the boxes,” Brooklyn says of her mixed background. “So in a lot of Octavia's works, it's quite often about characters who don't really fit into a box.”
The Amulet series: Sixth grader Naila Walker has read five parts of this nine-volume graphic novel series by by Kazu Kibuishi about a young girl, a magical amulet and a world of robots and elves. “It's kind of, like, mysterious and, like, magical,” Naila says. “They run around and do all these adventures, which I think is really fun.”
The Maze Runner: In James Dashner’s series, a disease has decimated the Earth and the teenagers of the future must navigate a treacherous artificial maze to survive. “It's a combination of mystery and science fiction,” says sixth grader Grayson Schnitger. “That's what makes it like one of my favorite books.”
Keep reading: For a longer list of where to start.
A few reasons for reading science fiction.
It makes you think.
Listen
1:34
Science Fiction For Young Adults: An LAist Guide From Middle School Students
“When sci-fi is done really, really well, it is profound,” says Octavia E. Butler Magnet librarian Natalie Daily. “The way that it makes you think about the future, the way it makes you think about humanity.”
The future is cool.
Grayson Schnitger is a sixth grader at the Pasadena middle school and says his dad first recommended sci-fi.
“I like just reading stuff that could happen and, like, knowing possibilities in the future,” Grayson says.
It can make you a better human.
Big Marvel franchises first hooked eighth grader Brooklyn Roffman.
“So I started to research what kind of genre The Avengers were,” Brooklyn says. “I saw, ‘Oh, science fiction? I bet I'll like this kind of stuff.’” And she did.
Throughout this story we link to BookShop.org, which supports independent bookstores.
Brooklyn says she’s “a big catastrophizer,” but reading about dystopian and post-apocalypse futures isn’t depressing, it’s motivating.
“I just start thinking, ‘How did this happen and how can I prevent this from happening?’” Brooklyn says.
LAist recently reported a story about the Pasadena middle school Butler once attended — that now bears her name — and has these recommendations from the adults. And, more importantly, from students.
Kindred
By Octavia E. Butler; graphic novel adaptation by Damian Duffy
“I thought, wow, this is weird, but it's really good,” Brooklyn says.
Butler’s 1979 novel is the story of a contemporary California woman transported to the plantation where her ancestors were enslaved. The book was adapted into a graphic novel in 2018.
“I’m mixed,” Brooklyn says. Her background includes African American, Irish, and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. “A lot of people don't see that.”
“There's been a lot of like, feeling like I'm not Black enough, if that makes sense. Or like, I'm not enough of what I am,” Brooklyn says. “I don't fit into any of the boxes. And so in a lot of Octavia's works, it's quite often about characters who don't really fit into a box.”
Sixth grader Naila Walker has read five parts of this nine-volume graphic novel series about a young girl, a magical amulet, and a world of robots and elves.
“It's kind of, like, mysterious and, like, magical,” Naila says. “They run around and do all these adventures, which I think is really fun.”
Protagonist Petra Peña’s world is ending and the girl is among the few chosen to continue the human race.
“Not everybody gets to go,” Daily says. “That's a humanity question, right? How do we choose who we save, right? And those are questions that exist now in our country.”
The novel picked up some of the highest awards for children’s literature, including the John Newbery Medal.
Nikki High, owner of Pasadena shop Octavia’s Bookshelf, recommends this three-book series about a group of friends who uncover the contributions of Black American inventors.
But if you're inclined to own a copy, here are some of our favorite places to shop for books:
Children’s Book World — A longstanding and vast west L.A. outpost for children’s books. Location: 10580 1/2 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.
Gallery Nucleus— There’s an eclectic shelf of books and gifts for kids at this art gallery that often highlights pop culture and also carries prints from children’s illustrators. Location: 210 East Main St., Alhambra.
LA Librería — Specializes in Spanish-language books for kids. Location: 4732 W. Washington Blvd., Mid-City.
Malik Books — African American books and gifts, including for children. Location: 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Ste 245, Crenshaw and Westfield Culver City Mall, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City.
MiJa Books — An online Lakewood-based bookseller focused on multicultural children’s books. Watch their website for appearances at school book fairs and pop-up events.
Octavia’s Bookshelf — This Pasadena bookstore is named for one of the city’s most revered authors, Octavia Butler, and owner Nikki High contributed several recommendations to this list. Her bookstore carries titles mainly from authors of color. Location: 1365 North Hill Ave., Pasadena.
The Salt Eaters Bookshop — Bookstore focused on works by and about Black women, girls and gender expansive people with has a small, but colorful children’s book section. Location: 302 E Queen St., Inglewood.
Tía Chucha’s Centro Cultural and Bookstore — The shop focuses on Xicanx, Latinx, and Indigenous stories. The multi-use space also hosts arts workshops and other community gatherings. Location: 12677 Glenoaks Blvd., Sylmar.
LAist reporter Mariana Dale wants your help telling stories about K-12 education
Attorney General Rob Bonta during the swearing-in ceremony for Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón in the Senate chambers at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Jan. 5, 2026.
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Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
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CalMatters/Pool
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Topline:
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed the state’s 100th lawsuit against the federal government since President Donald Trump took office for a second time in 2025.
Why it matters: The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleges that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement overstepped its Constitutional limits by taking people into custody at state courthouses, a practice forbidden by a U.S. District Court judge that the lawsuit alleges ICE nevertheless continues to employ.
The backstory: In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a measure that requires federal immigration agents to present a judicial warrant and identify themselves before making arrests within 1,000 feet of a state courthouse.
Read on... for more on the 100th lawsuit.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed the state’s 100th lawsuit against the federal government since President Donald Trump took office for a second time in 2025.
Bonta reached that milestone in 21 months. During the first Trump administration, California officials sued the federal government a total of 123 times in four years.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleges that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement overstepped its Constitutional limits by taking people into custody at state courthouses, a practice forbidden by a U.S. District Court judge that the lawsuit alleges ICE nevertheless continues to employ.
For instance, the California Justice Department found that ICE detained 34 people at state courthouses in June 2026. In July 2026, the month after the judicial order to stop making arrests at courthouses, ICE detained 28 people at courthouses.
“ICE’s directive on courthouse enforcement and the resulting enforcement activities have had a profound chilling effect that has hindered California’s ability to enforce the law and protect public safety,” the state Justice Department said in a news release.
Picking people up at a courthouse can have a chilling effect on witnesses, victims and even suspects who are afraid to show up for court, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero said last year.
“Making courthouses a focus of immigration enforcement hinders, rather than helps, the administration of justice by deterring witnesses and victims from coming forward and discouraging individuals from asserting their rights,” Guerrero said.
In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a measure that requires federal immigration agents to present a judicial warrant and identify themselves before making arrests within 1,000 feet of a state courthouse.
Proposed tax increase to pay for landslide damages
Yusra Farzan
has been covering the Rancho Palos Verdes landslide since 2023.
Published October 16, 2026 5:00 AM
An aerial view of the Terranea Resort.
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Robert Gauthier
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Topline:
Rancho Palos Verdes is turning to its best-known attraction to pay for landslide-related damages. Come November, voters in the city will be asked to vote on a ballot measure that would raise the tax on overnight guests at Terranea Resort and a small, lesser-known inn.
Why it matters: Rancho Palos Verdes’ landslide woes have hit the city’s coffers hard. By the end of June 2027, the city will have spent around $75 million just on landslide-related damages over the last three and a half years. Voters in the city are being asked to vote on Measure RS, which would increase the tax overnight hotel guests pay from 10% to 13%. A two-star inn in the city would also be affected if the tax measure passes. If Measure RS passes, it could bring in around $2.2 million annually.
How we got here: The Portuguese Bend area in Rancho Palos Verdes was once green rolling hills offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Now, much of that land is riddled with 20-foot chasms, some spanning 12 feet. For decades, land movement was minimal. But with above-average rainfall in 2022 and 2023, that movement rapidly accelerated — up to 1 foot per week in some places. Land movement has since slowed to about an inch a week, thanks in part to wells the city installed that suck water out of the ground. But damage to the area remains and will likely never be abated.
RPV has spent a significant amount of money to lessen the erosion.
Rancho Palos Verdes’ landslide woes have hit the city’s coffers hard. By the end of June 2027, the city will have spent around $75 million just on landslide-related damages over the last three and a half years.
So now, they are looking at one of the city’s best-known attractions for help: the Terranea Resort. Voters in the city are being asked to vote in November on Measure RS, which would increase the tax overnight hotel guests pay from 10% to 13%.
A two-star inn in the city would also be affected if the tax measure passes.
How would the tax help?
If Measure RS passes, it could bring in around $2.2 million annually.
“We reached out to Terranea as we were exploring different revenue streams and talked to them about the possibility of increasing the [transient occupancy tax] from 10% to 13%,” said Ara Mihranian, the city manager. “We looked at comparables of similar resort hotels in the greater Los Angeles area and Orange County that are generally their competitors or similar establishments to see where they ranked. And Terranea was below the market rate in terms of the transient occupancy tax.”
The 102-acre resort sits on bluffs along the coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean and offers guests casitas, villas and rooms that start at $350 and can exceed $1,500 during peak seasons.
A spokesperson for Terranea Resort declined to comment for this story.
How we got here
The Portuguese Bend area in Rancho Palos Verdes was once green rolling hills offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Now, much of that land is riddled with 20-foot chasms, some spanning 12 feet.
For decades, land movement was minimal. But with above-average rainfall in 2022 and 2023, that movement rapidly accelerated — up to 1 foot per week in some places. Land movement has since slowed to about an inch a week, thanks in part to wells the city installed that suck water out of the ground. But damage to the area remains and will likely never be abated.
RPV has spent a significant amount of money to lessen the erosion.
Mihranian said the city has filled fissures in the landslide area, installed protective lining in the canyons and has checked all the deep dewatering wells to make sure they can pump water out of the ground so it cannot collect and cause land movement — especially important ahead of El Niño.
“We're also making sure that the wells and the generators that support and energize the wells are encased and housed so that in the event of extreme weather, they are protected from any elements,” he said.
The city has also installed pipes along the main road through the landslide complex so that, instead of flooding the road, water will be diverted to the ocean.
Still, even if the measure passes, the $2.2 million annually will still not cover all landslide-related costs. A spokesperson told LAist the city is still “aggressively” pursuing grants to cover mounting costs.
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A demonstrator holds a sign during a "No Kings" protest, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Atlanta.
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Mike Stewart
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AP
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Topline:
"No Kings" protests are returning for a fourth round Saturday, Oct. 17.
Why now? This time, the focus is on the November midterms and getting people prepared to vote. Previous protests had drawn large crowds.
Read on ... to find details and information.
"No Kings" protests are returning for a fourth round Saturday, Oct. 17.
This time, the focus is on the November midterms and getting people prepared to vote. Previous protests had drawn large crowds.
"We expect tens of thousands of people to attend the various No Kings rallies throughout the greater Los Angeles area, and we would not be surprised to see tens of thousands at the downtown rally itself," said Nick Miller, a press coordinator with 50501 SoCal, a partnering organization.
That protest is taking place at 1 p.m. at Gloria Molina Grand Park.
LAPD said they are aware of the rally and don’t anticipate any issues.
Pasadena, Long Beach and Riverside are also holding rallies.
Where are they happening in SoCal?
Burbank: 10 a.m. to noon at Abraham Lincoln Park
Culver City: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Culver City Hall
Downtown L.A.: 1 to 5 p.m. at Gloria Molina Grand Park
Fontana: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Seville Park
Huntington Beach: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Huntington Beach Pier
Irvine: 3. to 5 p.m. at Trabuco Center
Pasadena: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue
Riverside: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Market Street and University Avenue
Santa Clarita: 9 a.m. to noon at Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: Max Muncy #13, Tommy Edman #25, Mookie Betts #50, Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers look on during a pitching change during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game three of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Sean M. Haffey
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
Milwaukee’s brilliant bullpen slammed the door late and the Brewers rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to earn their first trip to the World Series since 1982.
What happened: Shohei Ohtani’s first home run this postseason helped put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 in the second inning before the Brewers came back to complete a four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions a year after getting swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS.
Garrett Mitchell hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, Milwaukee’s brilliant bullpen slammed the door late and the Brewers rallied past the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to earn their first trip to the World Series since 1982.
No. 9 hitter David Hamilton’s two-out solo shot off Edwin Díaz gave the Brewers a two-run cushion in the ninth. Hamilton had just four homers in the regular season.
“We got down early tonight and we were like, it’s going to be a great story,” Brewers captain Christian Yelich said. “We’re going to come back and win this. Like, stay together, start chipping away. And that’s exactly what they did.”
Shohei Ohtani’s first home run this postseason helped put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 in the second inning before the Brewers came back to complete a four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions a year after getting swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS.
Milwaukee became the first major league club to complete a postseason sweep after getting swept by that same opponent in the previous postseason.
“Playing with that chip on our shoulder,” Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby said. “You don’t ever know what to expect going into a series like that last year. You don’t know how bad it can be, and then it was as bad as it was. And we came out and we survived, and we came back this year, and those guys played their tails off.”
The Brewers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in their only other World Series appearance, when Milwaukee played in the American League.
With the score tied 4-all, Mitchell fell behind 0-2 before reliever Tanner Scott threw three straight balls for a full count. Mitchell’s 409-foot leadoff drive to center field — the first homer of his career on an 0-2 count — put the Brewers ahead for the first time. Mitchell also homered in their 6-2 victory Wednesday.null
“I’ve always dreamt of moments like these as a kid,” Mitchell said.
The Brewers’ bullpen coolly turned away multiple threats when the Dodgers had the potential tying run on base.
Winning pitcher JoJo Romero struck out Max Muncy with Kyle Tucker at third to end the sixth.
Ashby, who worked three scoreless innings for a save, struck out Ohtani swinging before Mookie Betts grounded out with Andy Pages at third to end the seventh. Will Smith doubled to right with one out in the eighth and was safe at third when the ball got away from Sal Frelick for an error before Ashby got Tucker to fly out and Teoscar Hernández to strike out.
The Brewers tied it in the fifth, when the Dodgers bullpen issued four walks and Milwaukee stole two bases. Hamilton’s single chased starter Tyler Glasnow and scored Frelick, who walked and stole second, to pull Milwaukee to 4-3.
Alex Vesia came in and promptly walked Brice Turang and William Contreras to load the bases. Vesia then walked NLCS MVP Jake Bauers with two outs to force in Hamilton with the tying run.
Glasnow retired his first 10 batters — six on strikeouts — before the Brewers got to him in the fourth. Turang walked, Contreras hit a ground-rule double and Bauers followed with another ground-rule double that closed Milwaukee to 4-2.
Ohtani broke out of his postseason slump with a three-run homer after Pages’ RBI single in the second. The four-time MVP released weeks of pent-up frustration by raising his arms and yelling and the crowd of 49,104 joined him in celebration.
