Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
“Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.”
—National Hispanic Heritage Month website
In celebration, the CBC has curated a list of 24 new books from member publishers, as well as updated our Hispanic Heritage resources page, including several public library recommended lists from around the country.
Adela’s Mariachi Band, by Denise Vega; illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina (Charlesbridge) — Art / Performing Arts, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano Park, by María Dolores Águila; illustrated by Magdalena Mora (Penguin Random House / Dial Books) — Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Historical Fiction, Cultural Diversity, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
The Beautiful Game, by Yamile Saied Méndez (Hachette Book Group / Algonquin Young Readers) — Sports / Games / Recreation, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Coming of Age, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 7-12.
¡Boogie en el Bronx!, by Jackie Azúa Kramer; illustrated by Jana Glatt (Barefoot Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Spanish, Art / Performing Arts, Family / Community, ages 4-6.
Brownstone, by Samuel Teer; illustrated by Mar Julia (HarperCollins / Versify) — Coming of Age, Cultural Diversity, Immigrant Experience, Family / Community, Teen.
The Brujos of Borderland High, by Gume Laurel III (Enslow) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, LGBTQIA+, Fantasy, Romance, Teen.
Call Me Roberto!, by Nathalie Alonso; illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez (Astra / Calkins Creek) — Biography / Memoir, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Sports / Games / Recreation, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 7-12. Also available in Spanish.
Desert Song, by Laekan Zea Kemp; illustrated by Beatriz Gutiérrez Hernández (Holiday House / Neal Porter Books) — Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime, Cultural Diversity, Art / Performing Arts, Science / Nature, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
The Diablo’s Curse, by Gabe Cole Novoa (Penguin Random House / Random House Books for Young Readers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Teen.
Guava and Grudges, by Alexis Castellanos (Bloomsbury / Bloomsbury YA) — Romance, Food / Cooking, Cultural Diversity, Immigrant Experience, Teen.
HaiCuba/HaiKuba, by Carlos Pintado, Lawrence Schimel; illustrated by Juan José Colsa (North South Books) — Spanish, Places / Travel, Cultural Diversity, ages 4-6.
How Many Javelinas?/¿Cuántos Jabalíes?, by April Lesher; illustrated by Gabriela Vega (Lawley Publishing) — Animals, Spanish, Math, Concepts, ages 4-6.
I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes, by Karol Hernández; illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez (Penguin Random House / Dial Books) — Construction / Transportation, Places / Travel, Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
La Mala Suerte Is Following Me, by Ana Siqueira; illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera (Charlesbridge) — Social Emotional Learning, Cultural Diversity, Imagination / Play, Humor, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
The Littlest Grito, by Nicholas Solis; illustrated by Teresa Martinez (Sleeping Bear Press) — Social Emotional Learning, Family / Community, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 4-6.
A Maleta Full of Treasures, by Natalia Sylvester; illustrated by Juana Medina (Penguin Random House / Dial Books) — Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, Kindness / Generosity, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
Night Stories: Folktales from Latin America, by Ricardo Liniers Siri; illustrated by Liniers (Toon Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Cultural Diversity, Places / Travel, ages 7-12. Also available in Spanish.
Old Clothes for Dinner?!, by Nathalie Alonso; illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro (Barefoot Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Spanish, Humor, Cultural Diversity, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
The Perfect Place, by Matt de la Peña; illustrated by Paola Escobar (Penguin Random House / G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) — Social Emotional Learning, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, Imagination / Play, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
Relit: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories, by Edited by Sandra Proudman (HarperCollins / Inkyard Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Fantasy, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Teen.
Samba! The Heartbeat of a Community, by Philip Hoelzel; illustrated by André Ceolin (Sleeping Bear Press) — Art / Performing Arts, Biography / Memoir, Cultural Diversity, Places / Travel, ages 4-6.
A Second Chance on Earth, by Juan Vidal (Holiday House) — Coming of Age, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Death / Grief / Loss, Family / Community, Teen.
Squawk of Spanish, by Gabriella Aldeman; illustrated by Romina Galotta (Charlesbridge) — Animals, Cultural Diversity, Spanish, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 4-6. Also available in Spanish.
An Unexpected Light, by José Saramago; illustrated by Armando Fonseca; translated by Margaret Jull Costa (Seven Stories Press) — Biography / Memoir, Action / Adventure, Imagination / Play, Cultural Diversity, ages 4-6.
Check out more Diversity booklists and resources, and our Inclusivity Resources.
