Children's Book Suggestions | Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

These are a few of our favorite books by Hispanic/Latine authors from the past 12 months, but there are many more in the library catalog! You can also search by the name of the country or nationality. A few of the most common regions represented in children's literature are Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador, Colombia, Chile, and Peru.

Other Oregon City Library book lists include last year's Children's Book Suggestions | Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 list and our Finding Diverse Books presentations from 2019-2024.

Bilingual and Spanish-language readers can also browse the online catalog for children's books in Spanish. Use the "Subjects" list on the left side of the page to narrow down your preferred format (picture book, graphic novel, etc.) or topic (humor, animals, etc.)

Updated August 10, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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La noche before Three Kings Day
Colón-Bagley, Sheila
Paper Book
Inspired by Clement Clarke Moore's "The Night Before Christmas," La Noche Before Three Kings Day is a perfect holiday tale.   It's almost Three Kings Day, and while the grownups prepare a large meal, the kids prepare their shoe boxes for los Reyes to arrive later that night. Will...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

The perfect place
de la Peña, Matt
Eloisa's Musical Window
Engle, Margarita
Paper Book
Inspired by stories from her mother's childhood, acclaimed author Margarita Engle and award-winning artist John Parra have crafted a vibrant picture book about a young girl and her family who find joy in the music flowing from outside their window. Eloísa loves music, but with...
The ofrenda that we built
Gutiérrez, Jolene
Paper Book
"A rich, rhythmic ode celebrating Día de Muertos." --School Library Journal,Starred Review  Learn about and celebrate the Day of the Dead! With warmth and energy, this spirited picture book is a joyful ode to family traditions and the memory of...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Desert song
Kemp, Laekan Zea
Paper Book
A family joins the music of the Texas desert night in this tale of tradition and memory from Pura Belpré Honor author Laekan Zea Kemp. It starts with a soft tapping, Uncle Eduardo drumming his hands against his dusty jeans. As the...
Plátanos go with everything
Norman, Lissette
Paper Book
Paletero Man meets Fry Bread in this vibrant and cheerful ode to plátanos, the star of Dominican cuisine, written by award-winning poet Lissette Norman, illustrated by Sara Palacios, and translated by Kianny N. Antigua. Plátanos are Yesenia's favorite food....

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Miguel must fight!
Ofelia, Jamie
Paper Book
★ "A thrilling mini-adventure" --Kirkus Reviews, starred review  ★ "A positive message of creativity over warfare" --Shelf Awareness, starred review In this charming Spanish language story, a young...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Martina has too many tías
Otheguy, Emma
Paper Book
Una niña callada que se abruma fácilmente por su escandalosa familia encuentra una tierra mágica y silenciosa en la que descubre lo que hace que un hogar sea un hogar en esta nueva versión del muy querido, alegre y mágico cuento folclórico caribeño "La cucarachita Martina." Las...
A maleta full of treasures
Sylvester, Natalia
Paper Book
Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Award ALSC Notable Children's Book Anna Dewey Read Together Award Finalist Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices 2025 List From an award-winning author and illustrator, a warm, gentle ode to cherished visits from grandparents and...
?Vamos! Let's Celebrate Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos: A Halloween and Day of the Dead Celebration
Raul the Third
Paper Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection! From New York Times bestselling, three-time Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third, ¡Vamos! Let's Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos follows Little Lobo and friends on a Halloween and Día de los Muertos adventure...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Abuelo, the sea, and me
Williams, Ismaee
Paper Book
Pura Belpré Honor Book for Children's Illustration Abuelo, the Sea, and Me is a tender, heartwarming picture book that vividly explores intergenerational connections, family history, and the immigrant experience. When this grandchild...

Picture Book (Age 4-8)

Free to learn : how Alfredo Lopez fought for the right to go to school
Levinson, Cynthia
Paper Book
From the author of the award-winning The Youngest Marcher comes a picture book about the true story of Alfredo Lopez, an undocumented boy involved in a landmark Supreme Court case that still ensures children's right to education today. Alfredo Lopez has so many questions...

Nonfiction (Age 4-8)

Christopher Columbus and the Taino people
Messner, Kate
Paper Book
Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about Christopher Columbus, and learn all about the Taino people. Perfect for fans of the I Survived books and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean and discovered America....

Nonfiction (Age 9-12)

The circuit : graphic novel
Rostan, Andrew
Paper Book
Poignantly told from a young boy's perspective, the popular and award-winning memoir centered on a Mexican family working California's fields is now a powerful graphic novel that will appeal to readers of Illegal and They Called Us Enemy.  An honest and evocative account...

Children's Graphic Novel (Grades 3-5)

Across so many seas
Behar, Ruth
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR WINNER SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD HONOR WINNER "As lyrical as it is epic, Across So Many Seas reminds us that while the past may be another country, it's also a living, breathing song of sadness and joy that helps define who we are." --Alan Gratz, New York...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Spanish language version available

Sincerely Sicily
Burgess, Tamika
Paper Book
From debut author Tamika Burgess comes the captivating and empowering story of Sicily Jordan--a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride--who learns to use her voice and take pride in who she is while confronting prejudice in the most unexpected of places. ...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Cruzita and the mariacheros
Granillo, Ashley Jean
Paper Book
Praise for Cruzita and the Mariacheros by Ashley Granillo: Pura Belpré Children's Author Honor Book Cruzita is going to be a pop star. All she has to do is win a singing contest at her favorite theme park and get famous. But she can't go to the theme park this summer. Instead, she...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice
Lapera, Anna
Paper Book
Most Anticipated Middle Grade Reads of 2024: Teen Librarian Toolbox, School Library Journal For fans of Donna Barba Higuera''s Lupe Wong Won''t Dance and Aida Salazar''s The Moon Within comes Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice - a contemporary...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Salsa magic
Marrero, Letisha
Paper Book
BEST OF THE YEAR: Chicago Public Library - Kirkus A magical debut middle-grade novel filled with loud but loving family members, santería, and powerful orishas, set in New York City. Thirteen-year-old Maya Beatriz...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Aniana del Mar jumps in
Méndez, Jasminne
Paper Book
Pura Belpre Author Honor Award ** Four starred reviews!** A powerful and expertly told novel in verse, by an award-winning poet, about a twelve-year-old Dominican American swimmer who is diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. Aniana del Mar belongs in the water...

Young Teen Fiction (Grades 5-7)

Spanish language version available

Curveball
Cartaya, Pablo
Paper Book
Roller Girl meets Cardboard Kingdom in this original, contemporary graphic novel for kids, from the New York Times best-selling and award-winning author of A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation, Pablo Cartaya, in partnership with New York Times best-selling...

Young Teen Graphic Novel (Grades 5-7)


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