22 Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15th through October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. The dates are symbolic as within the 30 day period, several Latin American countries celebrate the anniversary of their independence.

Latinos make up 17% of the United States total population. However with millions of Latinos spread across the country, there is a lack of Latino authors and books for children. How can we expect children to celebrate their culture and heritage if they can’t identify it within the books they read?

Monica Olivera Hazelton (MommyMaestra.com and co-founder of Latinas for Latino Literature) addressed the importance of Latino representation in books:

“Latino children especially need to be actively taught about their heritage. A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, shows that Latino kids who grow up knowledgeable about their culture – and proud of it – are more likely to excel in school, have a strong self-esteem, and develop healthy behaviors. The study reveals that these children develop fewer social problems, and experience less hopelessness, aggression, and substance abuse.”

Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect time to introduce Latino literature and history to children.

Here are 22 Books to Teach Children about Latino Culture and Heritage

Picture/Children’s Books

1. On This Beautiful Island Written and illustrated by Edwin Fontanez
2. Arroz con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes from Latin America Selected and Illustrated by Lulu Delecre
3. Yes! We Are Latinos by Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy and illustrated by David Diaz
4. A Kid´s Guide to Latino History by Valerie Petrillo
5. My Diary From Here to There/Mi diario de aqui hasta alla by Amada Irma Perez and illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez
6. My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz by Monica Brown and illustrated by Rafael Lopez
7. Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx / La juez que crecio en el Bronx (Spanish and English Edition) by Jonah Winter illustrated by Edel Rodriguez
8. The Storyteller’s Candle / La Velita De Los Cuentos by Lucia Gonzalez and illustrated by Lulu Delecre
9. Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter
10. Side by Side/Lado a Lado: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez by Monica Brown and illustrated by Joe Cepeda
11. Dona Flor by Pat Mora and illustrated by Raul Colon

Books for Young Adults

1. An Island Like You by Judith Ortiz Cofer
2. When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
3. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
4. Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
5. Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfu Anaya
6. Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt De La Pena
7. The Girl Who Could Silence The Wind by Meg Medina
8. Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas
9. Latino Americans: The 500 Year Legacy That Shaped a Nation by Ray Suarez
10. Growing Up Latino: Memoirs and Stories edited by Harold Augenbraum, Ilan Stavans
11. Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America by Juan Gonzalez