Children's Book Suggestions | Hispanic Heritage Month 2026

A few of our favorite books by Hispanic/Latine authors published in 2025. For more book ideas, view our lists from past years (2023, 2024, and 2025), browse the library catalog in English or Spanish, and search by country or nationality (Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, etc.)

More great books are honored annually with the Pura Belpré Award.

Updated January 30, 2026
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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When sun rises
Salazar, Aida
Derived from Mexican Indigenous wisdom, this is the third title in a series of poetic board books centering around establishing an authentic, heartfelt connection with nature. Using Mexican concepts, this poignantly lyrical series invites young children to pay witness to nature...

Board Book (Age 0-2)

The interpreter
Abtahi, Olivia
Paper Book
A sharp and heartfelt picture book about a young soccer-loving girl who's an interpreter for her Spanish-speaking parents. Some kids have one job- to be a kid! Cecilia has two. When she isn't on the soccer field scoring goals, she's accompanying her parents to all kinds of grown...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Perla and the pirate
Allende, Isabel
In the second children's book written by critically acclaimed, New York Times-bestselling superstar Isabel Allende, Perla, the mighty dog, saves her human brother, Nico Rico, after he gets lost on the way home from school. Perla is a mighty dog who has two superpowers-...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

I am la chiva! : the colorful bus of the Andes
Hernández, Karol
Paper Book
For fans of The Little Blue Truck, Red Truck and The Little Engine That Could, a rhyming ode to a colorful South American bus and the collective spirit of its people, from a debut author and the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Magical Yet

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Dream for the land
Kemp, Laekan Zea
Paper Book
In this lyrical picture book about the importance of caring for our Earth, a child and her father wish for a brighter, greener future for the parched land around their home. When a girl finds a horned toad among the rain-starved squash, tomatoes, and poblanos on her family's...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Dreaming of a quinceañera
Méndez, Yamile Saied
Perfect for fans of The Proudest Blue and Alma and How She Got Her Name -- a warm tale about celebrating sisterly love, family, and quinceañeras by Pura Belpré winner, Yamile Saied Méndez! Two sisters, Ellie and Isabella, have been dreaming of Isabella's quinceañera...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Just shine! : how to be a better you
Sotomayor, Sonia
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER . Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the author of Just Ask! shares a sweet and powerful tale inspired by her own mother's story. How will being true to yourself and shining your brightest help other people shine? There once was a...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

My cousin, the quinceañera
Mora, Julissa
It's time for a fiesta de quince! Get ready for a beautiful 15th birthday party filled with Latine traditions in this Step 2 Reader that includes over a dozen Spanish words or phrases! It's my cousin's birthday! She's turning fifteen and it's tradition to have a big party...

Early Reader (Grades K-2)

Mixed-up
Garcia, Kami
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia has returned with a middle grade graphic novel about the struggles of a game-loving girl who gets diagnosed with dyslexia and her loving support network that help her along in the journey. Stella knows fifth grade will be...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

Pacheco and the witch of the mountain : a graphic novel
Zambrano, Juan E.

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

It's all or nothing, Vale
Arango, Andrea Beatriz
Paper Book
A poignant novel in verse in which, after a life-changing accident, one girl finds her way back to her life's passion. From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All. A BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR All these months of staring at...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Taco Tuesdays
Mancillas, Mónica
Nacho average foodie WISH book! Mónica Mancillas explores themes of family, food, and identity wrapped up in a sweet, commercial title. Dulce doesn't want to spend the summer helping at her family's restaurant, but with the business needing all the help it can get, she doesn't have a choice. ...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Graciela in the abyss
Medina, Meg
Paper Book
"A thrilling, action-packed journey filled with heart, bravery, and ghostly exploits." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) A sea ghost, a mortal boy, and a dangerous enchanted harpoon . . . A Newbery Medalist takes us far beneath the waves in this extraordinary foray into...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

The extraordinary orbit of Alex Ramirez
Paulino, Jasminne
A powerful debut novel in verse about a neurodivergent seventh grader who dreams of traveling to the stars one day. A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year "This story is about a boy who is certain of his own magic in the midst of the doubtful adults...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

El Niño
Ryan, Pam Muñoz
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of Esperanza Rising comes a riveting story that blends myth, fantasy, and reality into an entrancing adventure, perfect for fans of Meg Medina, Kate DiCamillo, and Rick Riordan. "An inventive, absorbing novel." --...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Speak up, Santiago! : a Hillside Valley graphic novel
Anta, Julio
Paper Book
Welcome to Hillside Valley! 12 year-old New York city kid Santi is heading upstate, in the debut of this irresistible contemporary graphic novel series about friends, family, community and identity-just right for fans of Mexikid and the Click series! How can you speak up if...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Miss Camper
Fajardo, Kat
A companion to Miss Quinces, Kat Fajardo's bestselling, award-winning middle-grade graphic novel! Sue is heading to Camp Willow this summer! She's looking forward to hiking, archery, and making comics in the fresh air. She's especially excited about LARPing (live-action role-playing...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

How to say goodbye in Cuban
Miyares, Daniel
Here is the dramatic coming-of-age graphic novel memoir of 12-year-old Carlos (who would grow up to become the author's father), his life during the Cuban Revolution, and his family's harrowing escape to America. A Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) Outstanding Comics...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

Halfway to somewhere
Pimienta, Jose
Paper Book
New school, new country, but only half a family?! Embark on a coming of age journey with a middle school teen navigating their parent's divorce while moving to a new country in this stunning graphic novel. A STONEWALL BOOK AWARD WINNER . A BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)

A festa for Luana
Pastro, Joana
A young Brazilian American girl navigates the concept of belonging when she celebrates the Brazilian Festa Junina festival with her family in this remarkable picture book about embracing all aspects of one's identity. Pretty little details can help... tell the...

Holiday Book (Age 4-8)


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