Hispanic Heritage Month Book Recommendations
Hispanic Heritage Month spans from September 15 to October 15. It is a great opportunity to explore a variety of cultures, traditions, and stories. Here is a list of books to celebrate this month!
Picture Books
Abuela’s Library by Lisette Norman
Alfonso and his Abuela’s favorite tree is cut down because it is dying, and they decide to make it into a library. This beautiful book is about community, determination, and turning something horrible into something amazing.
Lucía the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza
After boys tell Lucía that only boys can be superheroes, Lucía's Abuela teaches her about luchadoras and lucha libre. Through becoming a luchadora, Lucía becomes confident enough to fight for what is right and show that girls can be powerful superheroes. This is a fun and fast-paced picture book with beautiful art.
Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh
This book follows cousins, Charlie and Carlitos, as they write to each other about their lives in Mexico and the United States. This Pura Belpre Award winning book includes culture and vocabulary from both Mexico and the United States.
Rhea’s Rodeo by Laekan Zea Kemp
It’s Rodeo Day, and Rhea is excited to compete with her team. When the competition does not go as planned, Rhea is really upset, but she learns that doing your best is what is important. This beautiful, colorful picture book is a great introduction to Escaramuza Charra, women’s Mexican rodeo.
Nonfiction Books
Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel
This book follows José Alberto Gutiérrez, the founder of the first library in the La Nueva Gloria barrio in Bogotá, Colombia. This beautiful narrative incorporates Spanish words seamlessly and discusses the power of books and libraries’ abilities to build community.
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise
This biography follows Pura Belpré, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City in 1921. Soon, she became a bilingual assistant at the New York Public Library, where she would retell the folktales from Puerto Rico. In order to share her stories, she soon became a puppeteer and author as well, and her work is now celebrated with a yearly award by the American Library Association. This inspiring story emphasizes the importance of seeing yourself reflected in books and at the library while displaying the difference that a person can make.
Graphic Novels
Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos
This historic graphic novel has very few words. It tells its beautiful, empathy-building story mainly through pictures that use color as a powerful tool. The story follows Marisol, who has to leave her home in Cuba in 1961 for safety, as she builds a life in New York.
The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez
Jaime Hernandez has adapted traditional folktales from Latin America into the graphic novel format. These tales are contextualized with an in-depth introduction and back matter, providing history and insight and allowing readers to engage deeply with the stories.
Chapter Books
Jasmine Is Haunted by Mark Oshiro
Eighth-grader Jasmine Garza is haunted and has been since her papi died, making her move with her mother all around California. When she joins her Gay-Straight Alliance at her new school, she meets new friends, Bea and Jorge, who want to help her with the haunting. This supernatural mystery includes multiethnic representation, Spanish phrases, and strong friendships and family bonds.
Undercover Latina by Aya De León
Andréa Hernández-Baldoquín is part of a family of spies for an organization called the Factory, working to protect people of color around the world. For Andréa’s first solo mission, she has to pretend to be white and befriend the son of a dangerous white supremacist. This adventure-filled book tackles difficult conversations about race and privilege.
It’s All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Valentina was the top athlete at her fencing gym until an accident keeps her from her life’s passion for several months. This novel in verse follows her journey learning to let go of the past and finding acceptance for the new limitations of her body and disability.
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