Latino Books

Picture Books |  Fiction | Folklore | Poetry and Song | Nonfiction

The books recommended below were published within the last several years. Grade levels are only suggestions; the individual child is the real criterion.

Picture Books
Suggested grade level listed with each entry

Hairs/Pelitos written by Sandra Cisneros, illustrated by Terry Ybanez (Apple Soup)
In this inspired tale of diversity, a young girl describes her family members’ different types of hair. Grade level: K–3. 25 pages.

Abuela written by Arthur Dorros, illustrated by Elisa Kleven (Dutton)
A young girl imagines flying over Manhattan with her grandmother in this exuberant tale that carefully integrates Spanish words into the text. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Isla written by Arthur Dorros, illustrated by Elisa Kleven (Dutton)
In this follow-up to Abuela, Rosalba accompanies her grandmother to her beloved island home, soaring over rainforests, harbors, and markets. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Numero Uno written by Alex Dorros and Arthur Dorros, illustrated by Susan Guevara (Abrams)
Simple Spanish dialogue is easily accessible as brainy Socrates Rivera and brawny Hercules Hernandez argue over the building of a bridge. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Fiction
Suggested grade level listed with each entry

Party Girl by Lynne Ewing (Knopf)
After her best friend is killed in a drive-by shooting, gang member Kata seeks revenge and then understanding in this unromanticized novel. Grade level: 7 and up. 111 pages.

Class President written by Johanna Hurwitz, illustrated by Sheila Hamanaka (Morrow)
In this encouraging school story, unassuming Julio would love to be fifth-grade president but campaigns for a friend instead. Grade level: 4–6. 85 pages.

Red Glass by Laura Resau (Delacorte)
Sixteen-year-old Sophie and her family of survivors (a legalized Mexican immigrant, a Bosnian war refugee) take in the six-year-old survivor of an ill-fated border crossing. Grade level: 7 and up. 275 pages.

The Afterlife by Gary Soto (Harcourt)
Murder victim Chuy rises from his body to observe Latino neighborhoods of Fresno in this ghostly romance. Grade level: 7 and up. 161 pages.

Boys at Work written by Gary Soto, illustrated by Robert Casilla (Delacorte)
The summertime story of two boys who need to raise money is given an interesting twist as Soto once again integrates Latino culture with universal ten-year-old hopes, fears, and fun. Grade level: 4–6. 135 pages.

Help Wanted: Stories by Gary Soto (Harcourt)
These tales of Mexican-American kids dealing with family, friends, and love introduce convincing characters and memorable images. Grade level: 7 and up. 216 pages.

Mercy on These Teenage Chimps by Gary Soto (Harcourt)
In this rollicking novel featuring Latino protagonists experiencing the painful beginnings of adolescence, thirteen-year-old Joey takes to a tree after his coach publicly humiliates him. Grade level 4–6. 147 pages.

Folklore
Suggested grade level listed with each entry

Red Ridin’ in the Hood: And Other Cuentos written by Patricia Santos Marcantonio, illustrated by Renato Alarcao (Farrar)
Eleven familiar tales are recast in the American Southwest with humor and humanity, enhanced by satirical illustrations. Grade level: 4–6. 186 pages.

Poetry and Song
Suggested grade level listed with each entry

Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States edited by Lori Marie Carlson (Holt)
Carlson presents a spirited collection of poetry encapsulating both the challenges and delights of growing up Latino. Grade level: 7 and up. 123 pages.

Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States edited by Lori Marie Carlson (Holt)
Established poets and new voices capture the potent emotion of adolescence in this ten-years-later follow-up to Cool Salsa. Grade level: 7 and up. 140 pages.

Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers written by Pat Mora, illustrated by Paula S. Barragan (Lee)
Mora offers a complex collection of narrative poems penned by established and emerging Latino writers celebrating mothers and grandmothers. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

De Colores: And Other Latin-American Folk Songs for Children translated by Jose-Luis Orozco, illustrated by Elisa Kleven (Dutton)
Twenty-seven folk songs representing countries from Panama to Paraguay are complemented by vibrant, detailed illustrations. Grade level: K–3. 56 pages.

A Fire in My Hands: A Book of Poems written by Gary Soto, illustrated by James M. Cardillo (Scholastic)
In poems depicting Hispanic culture in California’s Central Valley, Soto elevates ordinary events and emotions to significance. Grade level: 4–6. 64 pages.

Neighborhood Odes written by Gary Soto, illustrated by David Diaz (Harcourt)
Complemented by evocative black-and-white illustrations, Soto’s poems celebrate the lives of children in a Hispanic neighborhood with humor, sensitivity, and insight. Grade level: 4–6. 67 pages.

Nonfiction
Suggested grade level listed with each entry

Fiesta U.S.A. by George Ancona (Lodestar)
The dance, music, and food of four Latino holidays are depicted by colorful photographs of celebrations around the United States. Grade level: K–3. 48 pages.

Barrio Streets Carnival Dreams: Three Generations of Latino Artistry by Lori Marie Carlson (Holt)
An eclectic and emotional collection of poetry, essays, paintings and photography from Latino artists. Grade level: 7 and up. 127 pages.

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