Hispanic Heritage Month spans from September 15 to October 15. This month honors the history, traditions, and lives of hispanics. There are several books and authors who depict the lives of these individuals.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

This book is a collection of vignettes told by the perspective of Esperanza who lives in Chicago. She tells the stories of her neighborhood. Esperanza tends to tell the stories of her neighbors and her family. 

This book is perfect for anyone who likes short stories. This coming of age novel brings readers on a thrilling ride of emotions.  This book allows readers to read several short stories in and out of order and the readers can still understand the life of the characters.

Sandra Cisneros is an American author, born in Chicago, Illinois. She is of Mexican descent and currently lives in Mexico. The House on Mango Street was her debut novel at the age of 30. 

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez

This book follows the story of Mirabel and Mayor, a Mexican girl and a Panamanian boy. Mirabel’s family, the Riveras, leave Mexico after a near fatal accident and hope to live the American Dream.  Throughout the novel, there are stories of the other people who live in the same apartment complex as the Riveras. This novel portrays the struggles of immigration, family dynamics, and a complex friendship between two adolescent people.

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys coming of age stories. This realistic fiction novel leaves readers wanting to know more. This book offers a unique perspective on immigration and the challenges many immigrants face in a new country.

Cristina Henríquez is an American writer, born in Delaware. She is of Panamanian descent and spent her childhood summers in Panama. Many of her stories are based on the joy and family life she witnessed from her father’s family. 

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez

This book is about a family who was forced to move after their father tried to overthrow the tyrannical dictator in 1960 Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic, the Garcia’s were wealthy and could afford luxuries, when they started over in New York they could not enjoy such luxuries and had to fend for themselves. The 4 Garicia sisters were forced to lose their Spanish ways and try to fit in with the American culture.

This book is an excellent pick for anyone who likes historical fiction novel with a some coming of age aspects. This book allows a persepective of how a country can truly change someone and how people adapt to new settings.

Julia Alvarez is a Dominican author who moved to New York at the age of 10 in 1960. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents was her first published novel in 1991. 

When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago

This book is a memoir about Esmeralda growing up in poverty in rural Puerto Rico. When her mother moves to New York with seven kids, Esmeralda has to take on new challenges and take responsibility for her new life. She shares her story of going from the bottom and climbing the ranks up to the most prestigious level she can.

This book is an excellent pick for anyone who like memoirs. Many Puerto Ricans claim that they could relate to the story being told within the book.

Esmeralda Santiago is a Puerto Rican author who moved to New York in 1961. Most of her writing career stems from her work in the film industry.

What do you think about when you hear the word ‘art’? Many would think maybe a drawing or painting but, in reality, art can be a lot of things. It can range from a simple landscape drawing to a poem or a dance. Art has been around for generations upon generations and it’s always used mainly for one thing: To express oneself.

Now, what is cultural arts? Cultural arts include things such as writing, photography, dancing, singing, or more which are tools that help develop the mind and the body. They give people a chance to express their thoughts and their feelings, reflecting and representing their customs and values as a person or a society. It helps many people explain the world, let their voices be heard, highlight unique characteristics of different cultures, or make a change in the world. There is no limit to one’s creativity at all.

If you want to express yourself but let your work be seen, I suggest you definitely go around and see what places offer the best for you. In Bloomfield, there are many places such as the Oakeside Cultural Center, Multi Media Arts Center, Broadway Performing Arts, as well as the Westminster Arts Center at our dear Bloomfield college. These places host organizations and events, Bloomfield college has much to offer to their more creatively passionate students! 

Of course, this may not be for everyone and if you’d like an alternative in a smaller group where you’re just there for fun or you’d like to start small, why not join the art club right here in BHS! There you can make new friends, expand your knowledge in drawing or domestic arts. If you enjoy writing, you can also join the poetry club or maybe you want to practice your acting skills by participating in one of the many plays planned for this year! If you’re interested in designing clothes, you can join the fashion club or if you want to try out wood crafting there is also the wood crafting club! If there is anything to be taken away from this article, it’s that art knows no bounds. Your creative mind is always more than enough, there is no “one is better than the other”. All art is unique and great in its own way, so why not start your journey now?