All year long you’ll undoubtedly want to introduce your students to amazing Latine authors like Carmen Agra Deedy and her newest book Carina Felina, Matt de la Peña and his latest title Patchwork, Donna Barba Higuera, Meg Medina, Yuyi Morales, Elizabeth Acevedo, Emma Otheguy, and Claribel Ortega. This Hispanic Heritage Month we are shining a spotlight on some of our favorite releases that tell the life stories of some fascinating, important figures in Latine history and culture, that invite kids to see themselves in the world, and that tell stories that propel people into action.
Biographies
Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa by Veronica Chambers and Julie Maren
Portrait of an Artist: Frida Kahlo: Discover the Artist by Lucy Brownridge and illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann
¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! The Dance That Crossed Color Lines by Dean Robbins
Alicia Alonso Dances On by Rose Viña
Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez
Madre de los tiburones by Melissa Cristina Márquez
Areli is a Dreamer by Areli Morales
Areli es un dreamer by Areli Morales
Queen of Tejano Music: Selena by Silvia López
Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla by Diana López
Be Bold! Be Brave: 11 Latinas Who Made U.S. History by Naibe Reynoso
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle
Manos que baila: Cómo Teresa Carreño tocó el piano para el presidente Lincoln por Margarita Engle
Areli is a Dreamer: A True Story by Areli Morales
Areli es un dreamer: Una Historia Real by Areli Morales
Latinitas: Celebrating 40 dreams by Juliet Menéndez
The Notebook Keeper: A by Juliet Menéndez
Middle School Stories
Latin Americans in History: 15 Inspiring Latinas and Latinos You Should Know by Monica Olivera
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barba Higuera
Lupe Wong No Baila by Donna Barba Higuera
Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera
Mexikid by Pedro Martín
You Only Live Once, David Bravo by Mark Oshiro
Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle by Hilda Eunice Burgos
Merci Suarez Plays It Cool by Meg Medina
Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez
They Call Her Fregona by David Bowles
High School Stories
Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora by Saraciea J. Fennell
Frontera by Julio Anta
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado
Into the Light by Mark Oshiro
Lucha of the Night Forest by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Solito by Javier Zamora
Ballad & Dagger by Daniel Jose Older
Series
Reina Ramos Meets a Big Puppy by Emma Otheguy
Reina Ramos conoce un Cachorro by Emma Otheguy
Reina Ramos Works It Out by Emma Otheguy
Reina Ramos encuentra la solución by Emma Otheguy
Stella Diaz has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
Stella Diaz Never Gives Up Angela Dominguez
Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno
Join the Club Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno
Camila the Dancing Star by Alicia Salazar
Camila la estrella del escenario por Alicia Salazar
Camila la estrella de la repostería por Alicia Salazar
Stories about Community/Identity
Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene ‘chapter about identity by Emma Otheguy
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre by Juana Martinez-Neal
Back Home: Storytime with My Father by Arlène Elizabeth Casimir and Ken Daley Published in April 2024
¿De dónde eres? por Yamile Saied Méndez
Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez
The Yellow Handkerchief by Donna Barba Higuera
El pañuelo amarillo por Donna Barba Higuera
Todos somos conectados por Gabi Garcia
Martina Has Too Many Tías by Emma Otheguy
Martina tiene muchas tías por Emma Otheguy
My Two Border Towns by David Bowles
Mis dos pueblos fronterizos por David Bowles
A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle
Un pregón de frutas por Margarita Engle
Patchwork by Matt de la Peña
Carina Felina by Carmen Agra Deedy
El cuento de Carina Felina por Carmen Agra Deedy
Books about Social Action
Just Help: How to Build a Better World by Sonia Sotomayor
¡Solo Ayuda!: Como construir un mundo mejor por Sonia Sotomayor
Sí se puede: The Latino Heroes Who Changed the United States by Julio Anta
Viva’s Voice by Raquel Donoso
A Seed in the Sun by Aida Salazar