Hispanic Heritage Month Recommendations
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Celebrate with some great recommendations from Erin Nguyen, Library Children's Services Manager with the Knox County Public Library.
Picture Books
A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle
While visiting her abuelo in Cuba, a young girl helps him sell frutas, singing the name of each fruit as they walk, and after she returns to the United States, they exchange letters made of abrazos--hugs. Includes historical and cultural notes.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story.
Sing with Me = Canta Conmigo by Jose-Luis Orozco
Come along and sing with me! Sing along to your child's favorite songs, from "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to "The Wheels on the Bus," in English and in Spanish! Accompanied by joyful, charming illustrations by Pura Belpré award winner Sara Palacios, this book is for every child who loves to sing, dance, and play.
¡Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third
Little Lobo and Bernabé are delayed in traffic with all kinds of people speaking different languages while bringing supplies to the big celebration in the country across the bridge, but when someone has a grumpy moment, they all come together to make the wait as good as can be.
Mi Casa Is My Home by Laurenne Sala
Bienvenidos a Lucia's home. Lucia lives in her casa with her big, loud, beautiful familia, and she's going to show you around!
Chapter Books
Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina
A spunky young girl from Colombia loves playing with her canine best friend and resists boring school activities, especially learning English, until her family tells her that a special trip is planned to an English-speaking place. Ages 5-8
The Storm Runner by Jennifer Cervantes
To prevent the Mayan gods from battling each other and destroying the world, thirteen-year-old Zane must unravel an ancient prophecy, stop an evil god, and discover how the physical disability that makes him reliant on a cane also connects him to his father and his ancestry. Ages 8-12
Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano
Wanting to be a part of her family's Día de los Muertos preparations, Leonora sneaks out of school to discover her mother, aunt, and older sisters have been keeping a secret. Ages 8-12
Tumble by Celia C. Perez
Before she decides whether to accept her stepfather's proposal of adoption, twelve-year-old Adela Ramírez reaches out to her estranged biological father--who is in the midst of a career comeback as a luchador--and the eccentric extended family of wrestlers she has never met, bringing Adela closer to understanding the expansive definition of family.
Children’s/Teen Graphic Novel
The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez
A collection of three Latin American folktales retold in graphic novel form.
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin
Pedro Martin has grown up in the U.S. hearing stories about his legendary abuelito, but during a family road trip to Mexico, he connects with his grandfather and learns more about his own Mexican identity in this moving and hilarious graphic memoir.
