Books to Check Out for Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic (or Latine, or Latinx) Heritage Month is September 15-October 15. Below I’ve chosen some books to check out if you’re looking for reading material to explore some new voices this month. I didn’t plan on making them all by women, but those are the ones I’ve been drawn to lately, so there you go. There is such a wonderful variety out there, it was hard to narrow it down. If you have a favorite, let us know in the comments!
What Would Frida Do? A Guide to Living Boldly – Arianna Davis. I haven’t even read this one yet, but it’s in my (endless) queue. With chapter titles like Creativity, Pain, Style, and Identity, each explores an aspect of Frida Kahlo’s life and art, drawing lessons for contemporary creative women.
Finding Latinx In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity – Paola Ramos. Ramos chronicles stories from across the Latinx spectrum across the U.S., exploring the diversity inherent in the term. With almost 60 million people identifying as Latinx in some way, these stories are fascinating, giving glimpses into communities that defy the usual media stereotypes.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter – Erika L. Sanchez. A National Book Award Finalist in 2017, this is the story of Julia, the not-perfect daughter, and her sister Olga, who seems to be perfect in every way. But when Olga suddenly dies, Julia finds out that maybe her sister was not as perfect as she seemed… and maybe she herself can find her own way, perfect or not. Funny, thoughtful, older YA/ new adult.
The Undocumented Americans – Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. The author was one of the first children of undocumented immigrants (DACA) to graduate from Harvard, and she reveals what it’s really like to live undocumented in a variety of places in the U.S., from New York to Miami to Michigan. On the way, she grapples with her own identity as she explores the challenges, heartbreak, and resilience of her fellow DREAMERs.
The Poet X – Elizabeth Acevedo. Winner of the National Book Award as well as many other honors, this verse novel tells the story of Xiomara Batista, a young Afro-Latina slam poet who defies her family and her church to tell her truth when she joins the slam poetry club at school. Powerful, raw, and just such a great read.
Sanctuary - Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher. This is a near-future dystopian YA, where everyone is microchipped and being undocumented is almost impossible. When her mother’s fake chip malfunctions, Vali and her family are forced to flee their quiet Vermont town and try to make it to the sanctuary state of California. Another one on my TBR list.
Martita, I Remember You - Sandra Cisneros. When Corina leaves Chicago to pursue her dream of being a writer in Paris, she has no idea of the challenges she will face or the friends she will make, connecting with a vibrant group of fellow immigrants who make their living in the City of Light. Years later, she rediscovers a letter that draws her back to that time and place. This is written in English and Spanish, so those who know some Spanish can improve their language as well as enjoy a beautiful, intriguing story.
