Below is a small sample of books from our WMS & EMS Learning Commons and Sora to read during Hispanic Heritage Month--and the rest of the year too!
Falling Short by
Best friends and neighbors Isaac and Marco are opposite in looks--Isaac is tall and Marco is short--and in abilities--Isaac excels at basketball, while Marco excels at schoolwork. However, that doesn't stop the sixth graders from having each other's back and helping each other get better.
Shine on, Luz Véliz! by
Before she injured her knee, soccer was everything to sixth grader Luz Véliz; it was part of her identity and formed the bond between her and her father. After her injury, Luz is still struggling to find out what else can define her, recently settling on computer coding and the chance at winning a spot in an advanced robotics class.
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe (a Sal and Gabi Novel, Book 1) by
Sal prides himself on being an excellent magician, but when he starts attending a new school, Gabi Reál discover's Sal's secret: he can reach into other dimensions and pull things into their dimension, including different versions of his dead mother. There's only one problem: Sal's manipulation of time and space is putting the entire universe at risk. Sal, Gabi, and their friends and family, as well as a sassy entropy sweeper, will have to work to make things right.
The Poet X by
Xiomara Batista is a teenage girl living in Harlem who's learned to use her fists to send messages. When she's invited to join her school's poetry club, she knows her religious mother will never allow it. But Xiomara is determined to find a way because she has something to say that can only be shared through her poetry.
Before Takeoff by
Teens James and Michelle are stuck at the Atlanta airport during a layover when they meet. While delayed, they see a strange flashing green light that Michelle discovers is actually a button that she pushes. Now impossible things begin happening inside the airport such as snowstorms and earthquakes. The pair race to find their families and escape the chaos only to find that there is no way out of the airport.
The Go-Between by
She is the envy of every teenage girl in Mexico City. Her mother is a glamorous telenovela actress. Her father is the go-to voice-over talent for blockbuster films. Hers is a world of private planes, chauffeurs, paparazzi and gossip columnists. Meet Camilla del Valle—Cammi to those who know her best. When Cammi’s mom gets cast in an American television show and the family moves to LA, things change, and quickly. Her mom’s first role is playing a not-so-glamorous maid in a sitcom. Her dad tries to find work but dreams about returning to Mexico. And at the posh, private Polestar Academy, Cammi’s new friends assume she’s a scholarship kid, the daughter of a domestic. At first Cammi thinks playing along with the stereotypes will be her way of teaching her new friends a lesson. But the more she lies, the more she wonders: Is she only fooling herself?
The Moon Within by
Told in verse, eleven-year-old Celi Rivera is anxious about her approaching period, and that her mother wants to hold a traditional Mexican moon ceremony to celebrate the occasion, a party she promises she will not attend. Meanwhile, her best friend explores what it means to be gender fluid, which prompts the boy Celi has a crush on to make mean comments, which in turn forces Celi to make some rash decisions.
The First Rule of Punk by
Twelve-year-old Malú was pretty sure of her identity as a lover of punk rock and a maker of zines. But then her mom whisks her off to Chicago, leaving her dad and his record store behind, and enrolling her in a new school that’s mostly Hispanic. The other kids question how Mexican she is, and so she’s forced to balance being Mexican American with her punk side. Forming her own punk band with three of the school’s “misfits” lets her rock on toward the realization that she doesn’t have to pick just one side of herself.
Shadowhouse Fall (the Shadowshaper Cypher, Book 2) by
Sierra and her friends are happy to live as shadowshapers. But a new beast called the Hound of Light will give them a run for their money. In this second volume of the Shaowshaper Cypher series, Sierra and her African and Latin American friends continue to face paranormal monsters as well as the beasts of prejudice and racism that run rampant on the streets of Brooklyn and in the hallways of their high school.
Each Tiny Spark by
Emilia Torres thought her life would return to normal when Dad returned from deployment, but instead she finds it unraveling. Dad shuts himself off from Emilia and her mom and abuela, spending his time working on his classic car. One day, though, Dad invites her in to help him work, and begins teaching Emilia how to weld. Unfortunately, at the same time, one of her classmates, her best friend Gus, finds himself in the middle of a community-rupturing conflict.
Caravan to the North by
Presents a novel in verse following the story of Misael Martínez, a boy from El Salvador who goes with his family to join a migrant caravan heading to the U.S. Sad to leave their beloved home, they still have many terrible reasons to do so, but when they reach Tijuana they are met with protests and tear gas.
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by
As the younger sister of a social media star, Moon Fuentez has reconciled the fact that she takes a backseat to her sister's fame and is destined to be the woman behind the camera. When she's coerced into running the merchandise table for a cross-country tour of social media stars like her sister, she vows to focus on saving money to go to art school. Her plan backfires when she meets her partner and bunkmate Santiago Phillips, who she initially hates, but grows to more than like. Suddenly, Moon isn't feeling like she's a wallflower any longer and that it may be time to step into the limelight with her own dreams.
Lupe Wong No Baila by
Baseball is everything to seventh-grader Lupe Wong. So is championing causes, like expanding the options for race on school tests. Lupe has an agreement with her uncle that if she gets straight As in all her classes, she can meet pitcher Fu Li Hernandez, who is half-Mexican, half-Chinese like Lupe. But when the dreaded square dancing unit begins in gym class, Lupe's afraid that she'll never meet Fu Li. As Lupe starts a campaign to get rid of square dancing, her changing friendships force her to reexamine her priorities and relationships.
Something in Between by
After learning of her family's illegal immigrant status, Jasmine realizes that college may be impossible and that deportation is a real threat, uncertainties she endures as she falls for the son of a congressman who opposes an immigration reform bill.
Where I Belong by
Corpus Christi, Texas teenager Millie Vargas finds herself and her family in the middle of an immigration debate when she's called out as a "deserving" immigrant by a politician amidst an increasingly heated debate over asylum-seekers entering the United States.
With the Fire on High by
Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions—doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.
Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears by
Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna’s jealousy. Things aren't going well at home, either: Merci’s grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately — forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. No one in her family will tell Merci what's going on, so she’s left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family.
Lety Out Loud: a Wish Novel by
When Lety offers to write animal profiles at the local shelter she volunteers at, her classmate, Hunter, decides he'd like to do them instead of her. He sets up a competition to see whose profile gets an animal adopted first. Lety is anxious about competing with Hunter because her first language is Spanish and she's still learning English while Hunter is the only fifth grader in her class who reads and writes at a high school level. But she's determined to try her best.
Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by
After her mother dies and her father is taken by soldiers during the Mexican Revolution, twelve-year-old Petra Luna vows that she will care for her grandmother, sister Amelia, and brother Luisito. As the group flees their burning village, they embark on a long walk across the desert to try to reach the United States where they hope for safety and a better life.
Aniana Del Mar Jumps In by
Twelve-year-old Aniana del Mar loves her involvement in competitive swimming at her Galveston, Texas YMCA, but she and her father keep it a secret from her mother, who lost her brother in Hurricane Georges and because of that, fears water. Lately, however, Ani begins experiencing strange bodily aches and pains that feel different from normal sore muscles. When her condition can no longer be ignored, Ani and her father confess their ruse to her mother, and learn from doctors that she has juvenile arthritis.
The Insiders by
Héctor Muñoz, a gay high schooler, resorts to hiding in the school's janitor's closet from the bully, Mike, who won't leave him alone. One day, though, something magical happens--behind the closet door he suddenly finds himself in a room with a couch, video games, and his grandma's delicious horchata--but also in this magical room are Juliana and Sal, two kids from different parts of the country. The three kids find themselves brought together, feeling like outsiders, to discover the meaning of friendship, adventure, and magic.
The Last Cuentista by
As the daughter of prominent scientists, twelve-year-old Petra Peñs is among the select few boarding a spaceship to another planet before Earth is decimated by a comet. Petra doesn't take after her parents though, she wants to be a professional storyteller like her grandmother. When she wakes centuries later, she realizes that her family and other passengers have no recollections of Earth or what life was like there. After learning that a dangerous cult known as the Collective is responsible, Petra knows it's up to her to preserve the memories of the past.
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything by
Artemisia (Sia) Martinez's mother was deported to Mexico by ICE and disappeared in the Sonoran Desert trying to make it back to her American family. Sia believes that she was effectively murdered by ICE and the sheriff in their small Arizona town on the edge of the national park, and wants revenge against him and his son, Jeremy--but her search for the truth will uncover many more secrets than she counted on.
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by
After moving to a new neighborhood with her mother, 15-year-old Piedad “Piddy” Sanchez enrolls in a new high school and quickly becomes the target of one Yaqui Delgado. As the bullying escalates, Piddy is forced to confront the situation head-on and figure out a way to retake control of her life without sacrificing who she is—a task that's easier said than done, unfortunately, as Piddy's fear and insecurity threaten to get the best of her.
Merci Suárez Plays It Cool by
Sporting a new haircut, Merci Suárez is looking forward to the adventures of eighth grade, with its overnight field trip and nighttime football games. While she's expecting the increased responsibility she'll have to take on with Lolo's Alzheimer's getting worse, she's not prepared for new attention from popular soccer teammate Avery Sanders.
Merci Suárez Can't Dance by
Merci Suarez is having a rough start to seventh grade with new teachers, new friends, and new feelings for boys like Wilson Bellevue, her co-manager at the school store. Then there is Merci's annoying classmate Edna Santos who takes charge of the annual Heart Ball. Merci knows for sure she won't be going to the ball because she can't dance. She wishes she could talk to her grandfather, Lolo, about her troubles at school but his Alzheimer's makes it difficult. Could Merci's Tía Inés, her dancing aunt, help her make sense of it all?
Santiago's Road Home by
The coins in Santiago’s hand are meant for the bus fare back to his abusive abuela’s house. Except he refuses to return; he won’t be missed. His future is uncertain until he meets the kind, maternal María Dolores and her young daughter, Alegría, who help Santiago decide what comes next: He will accompany them to el otro lado, the United States of America. They embark with little, just backpacks with water and a bit of food. To travel together will require trust from all parties, and Santiago is used to going it alone. None of the three travelers realizes that the journey through Mexico to the border is just the beginning of their story.
Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by
After a fight at school leaves Marcus facing suspension, Marcus's mother takes him and his younger brother, who has Down syndrome, to Puerto Rico to visit relatives they do not remember or have never met, and while there Marcus starts searching for his father, who left their family ten years ago and is somewhere on the island.
Lucky Broken Girl by
In this unforgettable multicultural coming-of-age narrative—based on the author’s childhood in the 1960s—a young Cuban-Jewish immigrant girl is adjusting to her new life in New York City when her American dream is suddenly derailed. Ruthie’s plight will intrigue readers, and her powerful story of strength and resilience, full of color, light, and poignancy, will stay with them for a long time. Ruthie Mizrahi and her family recently emigrated from Castro’s Cuba to New York City. Just when she’s finally beginning to gain confidence in her mastery of English—and enjoying her reign as her neighborhood’s hopscotch queen—a horrific car accident leaves her in a body cast and confined her to her bed for a long recovery. As Ruthie’s world shrinks because of her inability to move, her powers of observation and her heart grow larger and she comes to understand how fragile life is, how vulnerable we all are as human beings, and how friends, neighbors, and the power of the arts can sweeten even the worst of times.
Before We Were Free by
Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her 12th birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have emigrated to the United States, her Tío Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government’s secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition of el Trujillo’s dictatorship. Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind.From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl’s struggle to be free.
Lion Island by
Antonio Chuffat, a young man of Chinese and African descent, works as a messenger for Chinese diplomats in Cuba during the 1870s. Surrounded by African slaves and indentured Chinese servants, Antonio meets a boy named Wing and his sister Fan, both refugees who fled San Francisco during the anti-Chinese riots. The three become determined to fight for freedom. But while Antonio prefers to use words, Wing would rather use force.
Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa by
In this middle-grade fantasy duology, twelve-year-old Pilar Ramirez lives with her Mami and Abuela in Chicago. An aspiring documentary filmmaker, she decides to investigate the disappearance of a relative named Natasha, who vanished during the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic years ago.
What If a Fish by
Even since before Papa died, half-Colombian Eddie Aguado has never truly felt Colombian, but now with only his Colombian Papa's third-place fishing trophy to remember him by, he feels even more displaced from his heritage. A chance comes to leave Minnesota and spend the summer in Colombia when his older half brother invites him to an adventure.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears by
Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna’s jealousy. Things aren't going well at home, either: Merci’s grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately — forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. No one in her family will tell Merci what's going on, so she’s left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family.
