title: Kiko The Short-Tailed Kite
author: Meredith W Newton-Halstead
description: Both authors are long-time urban educators who strongly believe in the cross curricular approach to teaching. Over the years they created many child-centered activities designed to motivate and engage young learners.
zlib_text: Clarkesworld Magazine
  
  Issue 25
  
  Table of Contents
  
  Alien Cityscape
  
  Art by Joebert Zaide
  
  Gift of the Kites
  
  by Jim C. Hines
  
  Passwords
  
  by John A. McDermott
  
  How Candle Girl and V Took On 2MB
  
  by Gord Sellar
  
  Margo Lanagan and Tender Morsels
  
  by Jeff VanderMeer
  
    
  
  ![](Images/image00033.gif)
  
  © Clarkesworld Magazine, 2009  
  www.clarkesworldmagazine.com
  
   **“Gift of the Kites”**  
   **by Jim C. Hines**
  
  The first time Jesse saw the black _Buka_ was in the park. He was flying a
  plastic Superman kite, dueling against his step-father’s rainbow box kite.
  
  Jesse yanked the blue nylon string, swooping his kite toward his step-
  father’s.
  
  Kentaro dodged easily. “Too broad a strike,” he called, laughing. “A true
  fighter kite would loop around and cut your line.”
  
  “Get him, Jesse,” cheered Jesse’s mother, sitting in the shade on one of the
  picnic benches.
  
  At twelve years old, Jesse felt a mix of pride and embarrassment at her
  enthusiasm. Flushing, he unwrapped a bit more line, sending his kit