10 Books to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

Image Description: A low bookshelf decorated in damask paper gives a Victorian steampunk vibe. The shelf is filled with books. A small wooden chair stands beside the bookshelf. The wall behind it is painted a dark shade of teal. The window in the top left corner is frosted and opaque.

Credit: Ugur Akdemir / Unsplash via Webador

10 Books for National Hispanic Heritage Month

1. Dreamers (Yuyi Morales): A picture book for ages 4-8 that tells the story of family and the gifts immigrants take with them on their journey to a new home. The book includes a brief essay on the author's own immigration experience when she moved from Mexico to Texas. There is also a Spanish-language edition of the book called, Soñadores. Use WorldCat to find this book at a library near you or buy it on Amazon. Find more of Yuyi Morales' work on her website.
2. Nosotros Means Us (Paloma Valdivia): This Spanish-English bilingual story follows a mother and child playing together by imagining themselves as different animals. Written for ages 3-5, it's a bedtime story that centers the connection between a parent and their child. Use WorldCat to find this book at a library near you or visit Brightly to learn more about the book and where you can buy it. Visit the author's website to learn more about her work here.
3. How Tía Lola Came to Stay (Julia Alvarez): Written for ages 9-12, this story follows Miguel who moves to Vermont with his mother after his parents' divorce. Miguel's life changes again when his aunt, Tía Lola comes to stay. Search WorldCat to find this book at a library near you or learn about Julia Alvarez and where to find her books in both English and Spanish by visiting her website.
4. The Making of Yolanda La Bruja (Lorraine Avila): 16-year-old Yolanda is about to be initiated into her family's traditional religion when she has a vision about a school shooting and has to find a way to stop it before it happens. This book is forthcoming at the time of writing this article. Find out more about this book, the author, and preorders for this book through the author's website.
5. Merci Suárez Changes Gears (Meg Medina): A Newbery Medal winner, this is a coming-of-age book written for ages 8-12. Sixth grader, Merci has a scholarship to attend her private school in Florida. She navigates trouble at school while worrying about her grandfather's deteriorating health. This book is available in Spanish as Merci Suárez se pone las pilas. Use WorldCat to find this book at a library near you. Visit Meg Medina's website to learn more about the author, her other books, and where to buy Merci Suárez Changes Gears.
6. Mexikid (Pedro Martín): Written for ages 10-14, this graphic memoir tells the story of Pedro and his family's drive to pick up their Abuelito in Mexico. Learn more about this book and where to find it on the book's website and learn more about the author on the author's website. Use WorldCat to find this book at a library near you.
7. Saints of the Household (Ari Tison): Told through vignettes and poems, this debut novel tells the story of two Indigenous Costa Rican brothers who must rely on their Bribri heritage to survive high school and abuse at home. Learn more about the author and where to buy this book on the author's website. Use WorldCat to look for this book at a library near you.
8. Sanctuary (Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher): A YA novel set in the not-too-distant future, this book tells the story of The USA in the year 2032. Citizens are tracked by the government using microchips and living undocumented is harder than ever. Learn more about the authors and where to buy this book on Paola Mendoza's website. Use WorldCat to find this book at a library near you.
9. Undocumented: A Worker's Fight (Duncan Tonatiuh): Written for ages 12 and up, this graphic novel tells the story of Juan, an undocumented immigrant who fights for better pay for himself and other underpaid workers. Learn more about the author or find out where to buy his books on his website.
10. The Wicked Bargain (Gabe Cole Novoa): This YA novel features a transmasculine nonbinary protagonist who must take on the Devil when he comes to claim their father's soul. Learn more about the author and where to find his books at the author's website or use WorldCat to find this book at a library near you.

Sources

• 9 Must-Read Children's Books for National Hispanic Heritage month (American Defamation League): https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/9-must-read-childrens-books-national-hispanic-heritage-month?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0bunBhD9ARIsAAZl0E3Wehl3yk6oFSC28F1shkcvzAwfB3lryalIbIvi1tVX-6GF0-MBylwaAlPGEALw_wcB 
• 10 Books by Latinx Authors Coming Out in 2023 (HipLatina): https://hiplatina.com/latinx-books-2023/ 
• Children's & YA Books by Latine Authors (Brightly): https://www.readbrightly.com/childrens-ya-books-latinx-authors/ 
• Dreamers (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Dreamers-Yuyi-Morales/dp/0823440559 
• Hispanic Heritage Month: https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/ 
• Hispanic Heritage Month (National Archives News): https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/hispanic-heritage-month 
• How Tia Lola Came to Stay (Julia Alvarez): https://www.juliaalvarez.com/ 
• The Making of Yolanda La Bruja (Lorraine Avila): https://www.lorraineavila.com/the-making-of-yolanda-la-bruja 
• Merci Suarez Changes Gears (Meg Medina): https://megmedina.com/ 
• Mexikid (Pedro Martin): https://www.mexikid.com/ 
• National Hispanic Heritage Month (U.S. Department of Education): https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/national-hispanic-heritage-month/ 
• Nosotros Means Us (Paloma Valdivia): https://palomavaldivia.cl/ 
• Pedro Martin Books: https://pedromartinbooks.com/ 
• Sanctuary (Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher): https://iampaolamendoza.com/ 
• Saints of the Household (Ari Tison): https://www.aritison.com/ 
• Undocumented (Duncan Tonatiuh): https://duncantonatiuh.com/store/ 
• The Wicked Bargain (Gabe Cole Novoa): https://www.gabecolenovoa.com/ 
• WorldCat: https://www.worldcat.org/ 
• Yuyi Morales: http://www.yuyimorales.com/news.htm 

Want to join the conversation? Follow Underground Bookshelf on social media.

Like what you read? Share Underground Bookshelf with your network.