Hispanic Heritage
In this booklist, you'll find a range of titles — young adult novels by award-winning Hispanic-American authors, bilingual poetry, biography, memoir — celebrating Latino culture and examining the immigrant experience.
The House on Mango Street
Age Level: 12-14
This classic of Latin American literature tells the story of Esperanza, who lives in a poor Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago. Told in a series of vignettes, Esperanza tries to leave, while realizing the house on Mango Street will always be with her.
Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story
Age Level: 16-18
Eddie Guerrero was a WWE star who grew up in a family of famous Mexican wrestlers. This autobiography details Guerrero's rise from Tijuana to fame in the United States as a professional wrestler. Unfortunately, soon after completing the book, Guerrero died suddenly of heart failure, possibly brought on by his past drug and alcohol abuse.
So Hard to Say
Age Level: 12-14
A middle-school boy begins to question his sexual orientation, while dealing with the crush his female friend, 13-year old Hispanic Xio, has on him. Sanchez is sensitive and insightful when talking about both gay and Hispanic culture, and he's created a delightful heroine in Xio.
Romiette and Julio
Age Level: 14-16
African-American Romiette begins dating Hispanic Julio when he moves to her Cincinnati high school from Texas in this retelling of Romeo and Juliet.
The Afterlife
Age Level: 14-16
Our narrator Chuy is dead! He was stabbed in a nightclub bathroom by another teen who misunderstood something he said. As he floats around in the afterlife, he not only learns about being dead, but he also comes to understand his short life.
Cuba 15
Age Level: 12-14
Every girl wants to celebrate her quinceañera, or 15th birthday, right? Not necessarily, as half-Cuban, half-Polish Violet can barely speak Spanish. As the plans move forward, Violet comes to terms with her heritage in this warm and funny novel.
When I Was Puerto Rican
Age Level: 16-18
This memoir of a girl who grew up in Puerto Rico in the 1960's, and then moved to Brooklyn at age 13, is as compelling as any novel.
Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States
Age Level: 14-16
Latino poets, writing in English and Spanish, offer poems on a range of subjects — identity, romance, family — sure to appeal to teens.
The Tequila Worm
Age Level: 12-14
Sofia is a Mexican-American living in Texas. When she is accepted to a prestigious, predominantly white boarding school, she learns how to meld her Mexican-American roots with her new life. The author includes lots of detail about Mexican culture and heritage.
Crossing the Wire
Age Level: 12-14
Fifteen-year-old Victor decides to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexican border to earn more money to support his family. With no money to hire a "coyote" to assist his journey, he begins his trek alone. The border patrol is only one of his worries, which also include drug dealers, extreme temperatures, and fellow migrants. This is an eye-opening look at what draws the vast number of immigrants to the U.S., and the risks they take to enter the country.
Becoming Naomi León
Age Level: 9-12
Naomi and her younger brother Owen have lived with their grandmother in a small trailer for many years, ever since they were abandoned by their mother. When Mom Terri Lynn suddenly returns, does she really have the kids’ best interests at heart? This is a wonderful, realistic portrayal of working-class families.
