Latino/Latina Books

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal: When Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela asks her father why she has so many names, she hears the story of her name and learns about her grandparents. (2018, video)

Breaking to the Beat! by Linda J. Acevedo: In the 1970s Bronx, Manolo, a shy Puerto Rican boy, overcomes his fears and insecurities to become part of a new innovative dance style called breaking. (2023)

Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh: Two cousins, one in Mexico and one in New York City, write to each other and learn that even though their daily lives differ, at heart the boys are very similar. (2010, video)

Esquivel!: Space-Age Sound Artist by Susan Wood: Juan Garcia Esquivel was born in Mexico and grew up to the sounds of mariachi bands. He loved music and became a musical explorer. Defying convention, he created music that made people laugh and planted images in their minds. Juan's space-age lounge music popular in the fifties and sixties has found a new generation of listeners. (2016, audiobook)

Let Me Fix You a Plate: A Tale of Two Kitchens by Elizabeth Lilly: A girl describes her family's annual visit with Mamaw and Papaw in West Virginia, then Abuela and Abuelo in Florida, especially the foods and cultural elements that make each kitchen unique. (2021, video)

Lola Out Loud: Inspired by the Childhood of Activist Dolores Huerta by Jennifer Torres: As Lola helps her mother at the family's hotel, she learns about compassion, social injustice, and how one voice can lead to change. Includes author's note on Dolores Huerta, a labor organizer who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. (2022, video)

Martina has Too Many Tias by Emma Otheguy.  To escape the noise of her boisterous tías, Martina imagines a peaceful island where she plays quietly with a little mouse, but when she wants to tell of her adventure, she realizes there is no one around--that is until she hears her tías in the next room. A retelling of the Caribbean folktale La cucaracha Martina. (2023)

Only for a Little While by Gabriela Orozco Belt: When Maribel's family has to move in with Tía Carmen because Papi lost his job, Maribel and her sister feel unsettled. It's not always easy sharing a room or being in a house full of loud cousins, but Papi reminds the girls that it's only por un ratito--just for a little while. In the meantime, there is always someone to play with, the mealtimes are filled with music and laughter, and bedtime is for snuggling in tight. (2023)

Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo: Little Jesús is excited to help Papá at work on Saturday morning. Papa is a gardener and  Jesús is in charge of the water jug, which is also a magical clock! When it's empty, Papá explains, the workday is done. Jesús meets many thirsty animals while on the job and soon the water is gone, but the day is not over yet. Will Jesús be fired? Or will Papá have to tell the truth about the magic jug. (2023)

Remembering by Xelena Gonzalez: A family remembers their beloved pet dog through the traditions of Día de Muertos. (2023)

Spanish is the Language of My Family by Michael Genhart: A young boy bonds with his beloved abuela over a love of Spanish. (2023, video)

Training Day by Raúl the Third: Coach Kooky Dooky helps luchador El Toro train for his next wrestling match. (2021, video)

With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez: Rocio and her family move from Central America to the United States, leaving behind their extended family and many happy memories, but Rocio's abuela finds a way to send her something special for her birthday. (2022, video)

The Yellow Handkerchief by Donna Barba Higuera:  A young girl wishes her family could be more like her friends' families and subconsciously blames her abuela and her yellow handkerchief, but she slowly grows to appreciate and love the language and culture the handkerchief represents. (2023, video)

Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Méndez: A novel-in-verse about a 12-year-old Dominican American girl who must keep her love of swimming a secret from her mother, is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis, and is forced to reimagine the person she is to become. (2023)

Chunky by Yehudi Mercado: Author Yehudi Mercado draws inspiration from his childhood struggle with his weight while finding friendship with his imaginary mascot, Chunky, as he navigates growing up in a working class Mexican-Jewish family. (2021, video)

Cuba in My Pocket by Adrianna Cuevas: In 1961 Cuba, with the threat of military service for children looming, twelve-year-old Cumba's parents send him to Miami, where he lives with a new family and misses his homeland. (2021, video)

A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano: Wanting to be a part of her family's Dia de los Muertos preparations, Leonora sneaks out of school to discover her mother, aunt, and older sisters have been keeping a secret. (2018, audiobook)

The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez: In the three stories, a young girl proves her smarts and bravery, not to mention her skills as a dragon slayer; a woman named Martina Martinez marries a mouse, which leads to an unexpected tragedy; and a boy named Tup considered lazy by his family finds a way to feed them all. (2017)

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros: Efrén Nava’s Amá is his Superwoman, or Soperwoman, named after the delicious Mexican sopes his mother often prepares. Both Amá and Apá work hard all day to provide for the family, making sure Efrén and his younger siblings Max and Mía feel safe and loved. But Efrén worries about his parents; although he’s American-born, his parents are undocumented. His worst nightmare comes true one day when Amá doesn’t return from work and is deported across the border to Tijuana, México. Now more than ever, Efrén must channel his inner Soperboy to help take care of and try to reunite his family. (2020, audiobook)

The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía by Alexandra Alessandri: To save their father's life, a brother and sister must journey across a land full of magical beings from Colombian folklore and find the most powerful and dangerous of them all, the Madremonte. (2023, video) 

Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros: Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home, not without each other’s help. This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team. But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short? (2022, audiobook)

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega: Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby, and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable good hair." But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tía Ruby, she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair. (2022)

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh: This picture-book biography profiles Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), who is remembered primarily for his portrayal of calaveras, the droll skeletons prominent in Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. (2015, audiobook)

The Last Beekeeper by Pablo Cartaya: In a future shaken by climate disasters, twelve-year-old Yoland Ciceron struggles to get away from the grueling life of farming and discovers her only chance of survival may lie in the rediscovery of a long-extinct species--the honeybee. (2022, video)

Latinitas: Celebrating 40 Big Dreamers by Juliet Menéndez: Forty incredible Latinas are highlighted in this collective biography. (2021, video)

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez: Stella Diaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Diaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely. When a new boy arrives in Stella's class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong. Plus, she has to speak in front of her whole class for a big presentation at school! But she better get over her fears soon, because Stella Díaz has something to say! (2019, audiobook)

Valentina Salazar is Not a Monster Hunter by Zoraida Córdova: Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Valentina Salazar grew up as a monster protector until her father's loss, but when a video of a mythical egg appears, Valentina convinces her older brother and sister to help her find and save it--all while avoiding the monster hunters who want to destroy it. (2022)