Happy Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

 

Hispanic Heritage Month—also known as Latinx Heritage Month—began in 1968 to recognize and honor the enduring contributions and importance of Hispanic and Latinx Americans to the prosperity of the United States. The month-long celebration begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days in September (the 16th and 18th, respectively). Día de la Raza falls within this period as well (October 12).

During this month of significant Hispanic/Latinx holidays and national recognition, we celebrate the many heritages and cultures of Americans who are from (or have ancestors from) Mexico, the Caribbean, Spain, and Central and South America. To kick it off at Bay View, we have compiled an all-ages list of stories and resources that explore the diverse Hispanic/Latinx experience in the United States. They are grouped into five categories:

• Picture Books (ages 3–8)
• Chapter Books (ages 5–12)
• Young Adult (ages 12 and up)
• Non-Fiction
• Other Good Reads

We hope you enjoy!

Picture Books

Alma and How She Got Her Name, by Juana Martinez-Neal

 

Abuela, by Arthur Dorros

 

Arrorró, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games, by Lulu Delacre

 

Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña

 

Turning Pages, by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Lulu Delacre

 

Mango, Abuela, and Me, by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez

 

La Princesa and the Pea, by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

 

Frida Kahlo: The Artist Who Painted Herself, by Margaret Frith, illustrated by Tomie dePaola

 

Lord Help Me, by Emme Muñiz, illustrated by Brenda Figueroa

 

Chapter Books

Juana and Lucas (series, 5–8), by Juana Medina

 

My Year in the Middle (8–12), by Lila Quintero Weaver

 

The First Rule of Punk (8–12), by Celia C. Pérez

 

Merci Suárez Changes Gears (9–12), by Meg Medina

 

Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish (10+), by Pablo Cartaya

 

Young Adult

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, by Erika L. Sánchez

 

Sanctuary, by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher

 

Before We Were Free, by Julia Alvarez

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, by Meg Medina

 

The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

The Go-Between, by Veronica Chambers

 

Non-Fiction

Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics, by Frederick Luis Aldama 

 

Latino USA: A Cartoon History, by Ilan Stavans

 

Bird of Paradise: How I Became Latina, by Raquel Cepeda

 

An African American and Latinx History of the United States, by Paul Ortiz

 

My Time Among the Whites: Notes From an Unfinished Education, by Jennine Capó Crucet

 

Other Good Reads

Hispanic vs. Latino vs. Latinx: A Brief History of How These Words Originated (Remezcla), by Yará Simón

Preserving Latinx History Through Vintage Photos (NY Times), by Isabelia Herrera

How Do Latinos Really Feel About Hispanic Heritage Month? (Remezcla), by Yará Simón