Children's Book Suggestions | Hispanic Heritage Month 2023

A few recent favorites (and a couple of under-the-radar gems) for readers age 0-14. Bilingual books are noted in the recommendation and links to Spanish editions have been included whenever available.

Updated August 22, 2023
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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The last cuentista
Higuera, Donna Barba
Paper Book
A multi-award winning and bestselling novel, blending science fiction and Mexican folklore to explore the power of storytelling.
Gustavo the shy ghost
Drago, Flavia Z.
Paper Book

If you enjoy Gustavo, be sure to try Leila the Perfect Witch and Vlad the Fabulous Vampire, too! (Picture Book Age 3-7)

Gustavo the shy ghost
Drago, Flavia Z.
Paper Book
The last cuentista
Higuera, Donna Barba
Paper Book
A multi-award winning and bestselling novel, blending science fiction and Mexican folklore to explore the power of storytelling.
And now for some award-winning science fiction about the power of storytelling! (Young Teen Fiction Age 10-14)
Twin cities
Pimienta, Jose
Paper Book
FOUR STARRED REVIEWS . A critically acclaimed graphic novel with rave reviews about this timely story featuring middle school twins living on the Mexico-US border and trying to discover exactly who they are - together or apart. "Transcendentally good."-Kirkus Reviews, starred...
Finding your place in middle school is hard. Doing it when your twin is attending school in another country is harder. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Age 10-14)
Ghost squad
Ortega, Claribel A.
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! Coco meets Stranger Things with a hint of Ghostbusters in this action-packed supernatural fantasy. For Lucely Luna, ghosts are more than just the family business. Shortly before Halloween, Lucely...

Get ready for spooky season with this Afro-Latine ghost story set in St. Petersburg, FL! (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

El Cucuy is scared, too!
Higuera, Donna Barba
Paper Book
In El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!, a boy and his monster confront their mutual fears in this unlikely friendship story that's rooted in Mexican folklore from Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Award-winning author Donna Barba Higuera and illustrator Juliana Perdomo.

In addition to being a Newbery-winning novelist, Donna Barba Higuera writes charming picture books for younger readers as well! (Picture Book Age 4-8)

Reina Ramos works it out!
Otheguy, Emma
Paper Book
"A sparkling tale starring a resilient young protagonist" --Kirkus (starred review) Reina Ramos Works It Out is a Level Two I Can Read story about Reina Ramos, a loyal friend whose high-spirited antics sometimes cause chaos, but who always finds a way to make things right. Perfect for...

A fun series for beginning readers (Easy Reader Level 3, Age 5-8)

Reina Ramos works it out!
Otheguy, Emma
Paper Book
"A sparkling tale starring a resilient young protagonist" --Kirkus (starred review) Reina Ramos Works It Out is a Level Two I Can Read story about Reina Ramos, a loyal friend whose high-spirited antics sometimes cause chaos, but who always finds a way to make things right. Perfect for...
Team up
Raúl the Third
Paper Book
"Fantastically fun! Kids will drink in every imaginative detail in El Toro's wild world!" --Jeff Kinney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series From New York Times bestselling, three-time Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Raúl...

Great for fans of Elephant & Piggie and luchadores by the inimitable Raúl the Third! His Little Lobo series of picture books are also worth checking out. (Easy Reader Level 2 Age 5-8)

Dia de Muertos: Numeros : A Day of the Dead Counting Book
Tonatiuh, Duncan.
Ebook
From award-winning and beloved author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes this celebratory bilingual picture book centering on a Día de Muertos ofrenda (Day of the Dead altar), constructed annually to honor the memory and welcome the spirit of a loved one. The book uses a counting structure, from one...

Duncan Tonatiuh's illustrations inspired by pre-Columbian Mixtec art are one-of-a-kind! He has so many good books that it was hard to choose just one for this list. (Picture Book Age 3-7)

Back-to-school blitz
Torres, Jennifer
Paper Book
David Suárez gets stuck in the middle of a prank war when the neighborhood twins and triplets compete to rule the school. This is the first book of this hilarious, highly illustrated early chapter book series. David can't wait to go back to school and get far away...

While Oregonians are more familiar with her books for older readers, like this year's OBOB pick Flor and Miranda Steal the Show, this early chapter book series is great for kids just moving into longer stories. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

Sal & Gabi break the universe
Hernandez, Carlos Alberto
Paper Book
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents a brilliant sci-fi romp with Cuban influence by Carlos Hernandez, winner of the 2020 Pura Belpré Award. "I love this book in every possible universe! With a surprise on every page and two of the most cosmically awesome, vividly unique...

Great for fans of Doctor Who and the Marvel multiverse! Be sure to check out some other Rick Riordan Presents series, including Paola Santiago and the River of Tears and The Storm Runner (Young Teen Fiction Age 10-14)

Feúcho y Pablo
Quintero, Isabel
Paper Book
From the 2015 winner of the ALA William C. Morris Award comes a humorous chapter book series about a not-so-attractive cat and his well-dressed mouse friend.Ugly Cat is dying for a paleta, or ice pop, and his friend Pablo is determined to help him get one by scaring a little girl who is enjoying a...

A charming early chapter book (and sequel!) from the author of the amazing My Papi Has a Motorcycle. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

Falling short
Cisneros, Ernesto
Paper Book
Ernesto Cisneros, Pura Belpré Award-winning author of Efrén Divided, is back with a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways. A great next pick for readers who loved Ghost by Jason Reynolds or The First Rule of Punk by Celia...
A great middle school sports story by an author some of you may have discovered when he did a virtual author visit for the Oregon City School District in 2021. (Young Teen Fiction Age 10-14)
Feu?cho y Pablo
Quintero, Isabel
Paper Book
From the 2015 winner of the ALA William C. Morris Award comes a humorous chapter book series about a not-so-attractive cat and his well-dressed mouse friend.Ugly Cat is dying for a paleta, or ice pop, and his friend Pablo is determined to help him get one by scaring a little girl who is enjoying a...
Red Panda & Moon Bear
Rosello?, Jarod
Paper Book
Two Latinx kids battle supernatural threats to their working-class neighborhood with the power of science, magic, and a pair of very special hoodies. Red Panda and Moon Bear are the defenders of their community! Together, these brave siblings rescue lost cats, scold bullies, and...

Real world superhero siblings fightin' monsters and stuff in their Miami neighborhood! (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Miss Quinces
Fajardo, Kat
Paper Book
Rising star Kat Fajardo's debut middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who would rather do anything other than celebrate her quinceañera! A funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about navigating the expectations of family and cultural tradition. Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and...
To quince or not to quince? A great choice for middle school age fans of Raina Telgemeier. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Age 10-14).
Book of questions : selections = Libro de las preguntas : selecciones
Neruda, Pablo
Paper Book
A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2022 A Marginalian (fka Brain Pickings) Favorite Book of 2022 A New York Times Bestseller!A USBBY Outstanding International Book of 2023 A 2023 Bologna Ragazzi Award Amazing...

An illustrated version of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's poem, "Book of Questions" in both Spanish and English. (Children's Nonfiction Age 5-12)

Mexikid : a graphic memoir
Martin, Pedro
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER * An unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican American boy's family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico "One of those books that kids will pass to their friends as soon as they have finished it."-...

And if you're more of a Sisters fan (because road trips!), Mexikid might be right up your alley. (Young Teen Graphic Novels Age 10-14)

Chunky
Mercado, Yehudi
Paper Book
In this full-color middle grade graphic memoir for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft, 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...

A super funny memoir about trying to figure out what you're good at when sports just aren't your thing. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Age 10-14_


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