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
Winner of the Newbery Medal--a brilliant journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us human. "Gripping in its twists and turns, and moving in its themes -- truly a beautiful cuento."--New York Times Había una vez . . .  ...
Gustavo, the shy ghost
Drago, Flavia Z.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season -- or anytime. Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through...

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

Spanish Is the Language of My Family
Genhart, Michael
Paper Book
An intergenerational story of family ties, cultural pride, and spelling bee victory following a young boy who bonds with his beloved abuela over a love of Spanish. As a boy prepares for his school's Spanish spelling bee, he asks his grandmother for help with some of the words he...
Gustavo, the shy ghost.
Drago, Flavia Z.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season -- or anytime. Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through...
The last cuentista
Higuera, Donna Barba
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal--a brilliant journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us human. "Gripping in its twists and turns, and moving in its themes -- truly a beautiful cuento."--New York Times Había una vez . . .  ...
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)

Barefoot dreams of Petra Luna
Dobbs, Alda P.
Paper Book
2022 Pura Belpré Honor Book NYPL Best Book of 2021 Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection NPR Best Book of 2021 Based on a true story, the tale of one girl's perilous journey to cross the U.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican...

The combination of Mexican history and desert survival story will hook fans of I Survived. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Spanish is the language of my family
Genhart, Michael
Paper Book
An intergenerational story of family ties, cultural pride, and spelling bee victory following a young boy who bonds with his beloved abuela over a love of Spanish. As a boy prepares for his school's Spanish spelling bee, he asks his grandmother for help with some of the words he...
A Spanish spelling bee story inspired by the author's mother's childhood experiences of not being allowed to speak Spanish at school. (Picture Book Age 4-8)
Team up
Raúl the Third
Paper Book
An ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children Selection "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,...

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)

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 Pablo
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)

Red panda & moon bear. [online electronic book]
Rosello, Jarod.
Ebook

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

Miss Quinces. [online electronic book]
Fajardo, Kat
Ebook
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
Where is the center of the sea? Why do the waves never break there? A book containing unanswerable, fantastical questions, inviting us to be curious, while simultaneously embracing what we cannot know. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the 21st Century (So Far)

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_

Stella Diaz has something to say
Dominguez, Angela
Paper Book
In her first middle-grade novel, award-winning picture book author and illustrator Angela Dominguez tells a heartwarming story based on her own experiences growing up Mexican-American. Stella Díaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Díaz is not a...
A gentle elementary school story with Amber Brown vibes. Be sure to check out Angela Dominguez's picture books, too! (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

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