Why Puerto Rican Heritage Month Matters
“Puerto Ricans are the second-largest Latino group in the United States, with over 5.8 million Puerto Ricans living on the mainland — more than the approximately 3.2 million who live on the island itself. Puerto Rican Heritage Month is a time for this diaspora community to come together, celebrate their roots, and educate others about the richness of Puerto Rican culture.
It’s also a time to reflect on Puerto Rico’s complex history — its indigenous Taíno roots, the centuries of Spanish colonization, the transition to U.S. territory after 1898, and the ongoing questions of political status and self-determination that Puerto Ricans continue to navigate today.”—Boricua Legacy
The CBC is pleased to share this newest collection of books featuring Puerto Rican characters, all published in 2026. For more books about Puerto Rico, be sure to check out our Let’s Celebrate Puerto Rico booklist & downloadable spreadsheet!
I Didn’t Do It, by Elle Gonzalez Rose (Bloomsbury / Bloomsbury YA), Teen (12+).
I Killed Zoe Spanos meets The Counselors in this YA thriller about the daughter of a killer who must prove her innocence after a night of fun turns deadly.
Dina Soto is used to laying low. Ever since her father confessed to murdering two of his students, Dina’s mom has kept the family on a short leash to avoid drawing any more attention. But when cute, popular, and incredibly sweet Kai Thompson invites Dina to spend the weekend with him and his friends at his cabin, Dina thinks maybe being noticed wouldn’t be so bad.
But once at the cabin, Dina realizes one night won’t change her reputation as the daughter of a killer-especially not when people start turning up dead. Told in part through police evidence, the truth of what happened that night unravels alongside long-held secrets. But one thing remains true: Dina is adamant she didn’t do it. Now, she just has to prove it.
Book Themes: Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Food / Cooking, Concepts, Family / Community
La Bandera, by Anika Aldamuy Denise; illustrated by Ericka Lugo (HarperCollins), ages 7–12.
The riveting story of Puerto Rico, its flag, and its people—told in captivating verse by Pura Belpré Honor-winning author Anika Aldamuy Denise with gorgeous illustrations from Ericka Lugo.
The missing piece of history you are about to read begins with a brave woman, a swath of fabric, and a spool of thread.
Puerto Rico’s complex and deep history is woven throughout each thread of its flag. A symbol of opposition to occupation and injustice, la bandera represents the great pride of a people and its diaspora. With lyrical poetry and vibrant art, the deeply layered origins of the Puerto Rican flag are stitched together in this poignant reflection on the island’s history from the 19th century to the present day.
Includes 14 poems. Further historical context about Puerto Rico and an author’s note is included in the backmatter.
Book Themes: BIPOC Characters and Creators, Cultural Diversity, History, Places / Travel
La bandera puertorriqueña, by Anika Aldamuy Denise; illustrated by Ericka Lugo (HarperCollins), ages 7–12.
La historia profunda y conmovedora de Puerto Rico, su bandera y su gente, narrada en versos por la escritora galardonada con el Honor Pura Belpré, Anika Aldamuy Denise, e ilustrada con la fuerza y el color del arte de Ericka Lugo.
La pieza de historia que estás a punto de leer comienza con una mujer valiente, un trozo de tela y un carrete de hilo.
La historia compleja y profunda de Puerto Rico está entretejida en cada hilo de su bandera. Símbolo de oposición a la ocupación y a la injusticia, la bandera representa el gran orgullo de un pueblo y de su diáspora. La poesía lírica de la escritora galardonada Anika Aldamuy Denise y el arte llamativo de Ericka Lugo entrelazan los orígenes profundamente enraizados de la bandera puertorriqueña con una reflexión conmovedora sobre la historia de la isla, desde el siglo XIX hasta la actualidad.
Incluye 14 poemas. Al final del libro se ofrece un contexto histórico adicional sobre Puerto Rico, así como una nota de la autora.
Book Themes: Spanish, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Cultural Diversity, History
La Borinqueña: Himno de la Isla, by Samantha Garcia-Sherpa; illustrated by Vivien Sárkány (Nuyorican Books), ages 0–5.
Introducing Nuyorican Books’ first-ever board book AND sound book — a treasure for every Boricua household. La Borinqueña: Himno de la Isla brings Puerto Rico’s beloved national anthem to life, letting little ones press buttons to sing along to the lyrics of Lola Rodríguez de Tió and Manuel Fernández Juncos.
More than a book—it’s a way to pass down history, language, and love for La Isla del Encanto from the very first years of life.
- 🎁 Ideal for baby showers, holiday gifts, and Boricua households
- 🎵 Interactive sound buttons with anthem music and lyrics
- 🇵🇷 Builds Spanish language and cultural connection
- 📖 Hardcover board book, 7″ × 7″
- 👶 Perfect for ages 0–3
Book Themes: Spanish, Cultural Diversity, Places / Travel, How-to / Interactive
No Place on Earth, by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Random House Children’s Books / Random House Books for Young Readers), ages 9–Teen (12+).
From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, comes a moving novel with a touch of magic, where two boys find themselves in each other’s dreams and slowly help one another face the real world.
Since moving to Yellowstone National Park for his mom’s job, Gustavo Santos Costa has had a lot on his mind.
- For instance: bison stampedes. Did you know that bison can run three times faster than the average person?
- Also: Why do people always stand so close to boiling hot springs?!
- Finally: the bad dreams. Why have they only gotten worse since the move?
And that’s all before Gus somehow meets his classmate Kordell inside his dreams. While Gus avoids sleeping (and nightmares) at all costs, Kordell finds that dreams seem to be a welcome escape from his real life . . . until one day, they’re no longer enough. Gus may be the only person who can help Kordell. But when most things already feel too big to take on, how can Gus find the courage to be there for his friends?
In this powerful novel from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All, two boys confront their fears—and their dreams—to save themselves and each other.
Book Themes: BIPOC Characters and Creators, Mental / Physical Health, Friendships, Magical Realism
¡Nos vamos de parranda!, by Mayra Cuevas; illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodríguez (Simon & Schuster / Beach Lane Books), ages 3–9.
En este encantador y enérgico cuento navideño, una niña descubre su propio ritmo mientras participa con su familia en una parranda (un canto de villancicos y aguinaldos puertorriqueños). Disponible en español y perfecto para los fans de De aquí como el coquí y Pepe y el desfile.
Durante la temporada navideña, una niña se une por primera vez a una parranda con su familia. Los parranderos viajan de casa en casa, cantando y bailando al son de sus canciones navideñas favoritas. La niña intenta cantar y tocar diferentes instrumentos, pero ninguno suena del todo bien.
Al acercarse el final de la parranda, ella se empieza a preocupar que nunca va a encontrar su propio ritmo… hasta que un regalo especial de Papi la ayuda a comprender que la música siempre ha estado dentro de ella, es la música del corazón.
Book Themes: Spanish, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Cultural Diversity, BIPOC Characters and Creators
Run Home, written & illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Roaring Brook Press), ages 9–Teen (12+).
This heartrending graphic memoir by Alyssa Bermudez (Big Apple Diaries) is a moving and unforgettable story about inner strength, healing, and finding hope.
It’s 2002, and 14-year-old Alyssa is a freshman at a new high school where she knows NO ONE and the uniforms are hideous! What a disaster…
Even worse? Her parents are forcing her to join the cross-country team. No one needs to run, or sweat, this much!
Over time though, Alyssa actually starts to like running. She’s getting better with practice, and some of the girls on the team are really nice. Alyssa begins to find a steady rhythm with high school, cross country, and her new stepfamily.
But Alyssa’s dad is sick, and she doesn’t know what to do. When the worst thing imaginable happens, Alyssa will need to count on her friends, family, and herself to keep running forward.
Book Themes: Biography / Memoir, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Sports / Games / Recreation
We’re Going on a Parranda!, by Mayra Cuevas; illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodríguez (Simon & Schuster / Beach Lane Books), ages 3–9.
En este encantador y enérgico cuento navideño, una niña descubre su propio ritmo mientras participa con su familia en una parranda (un canto de villancicos y aguinaldos puertorriqueños). Disponible en español y perfecto para los fans de De aquí como el coquí y Pepe y el desfile.
A little girl discovers her own unique rhythm while going on a parranda (Puerto Rican Christmas caroling) with her family in this charming and energetic Navidad story that integrates Spanish words, perfect for fans of Coquí in the City and Pepe and the Parade.
During the holiday season, a little girl joins her family on a parranda for the first time. The parranderos arrive at each new home, singing and dancing to their favorite Christmas songs. The little girl tries singing and playing different instruments, but nothing seems quite right.
As the night nears its end, she starts to worry she’ll never find a rhythm of her own—until a special gift from Papi helps her realize that la música del corazón (the music of the heart) has been inside her all along!
Book Themes: Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, Cultural Diversity, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community
Looking for more diverse reads?
Explore our Inclusivity booklists for more outstanding titles!
