Hispanic Heritage Month - WMS/EMS Learning Commons: Poetry & Graphic Novels

Dreams from Many Rivers by Margarita Engle; Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez (Illustrator) Presents a collection of poems from Hispanic American children about Hispanic American and indigenous history in the United States, from the days of colonialism and conquest up to the present. Particularly highlights the unique experiences of Hispanic Americans and Latinos in relation to the majority American culture.

Inheritance by Elizabeth Acevedo; Andrea Pippins (Illustrator) Illustrated poem by the author describes the intersection between White societal norms and Black and Latinx hair, explaining her experiences with pressures from others to change and "fix" her hair according to White standards of beauty.

The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan; Peter Sís (Illustrator) Through the use of poems, prose and questions, author Ryan has created a fun-to-read, fictionalized account of poet Pablo Neruda's childhood. Frail and shy, Neftali Reyes (Neruda's real name) tries to reconcile his own dreams and reflections about the natural world with his father's plans to have him become a doctor.

THE LATIN DELI : PROSE AND POETRY by by COFER, JUDITH ORTIZ Presents a collection of stories, essays, and poems on growing up Puerto Rican in the United States.

I Remember by Lee Bennett Hopkins (Editor) Contains a collection of illustrated poems by writers and illustrators from diverse backgrounds who reflect on their different heritages and traditions.

Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanos (Illustrator) Wordless graphic novel follows young Marisol whose Cuban parents send her to live in the United States after Fidel Castro takes power in 1961 through a Catholic refugee program.

A Fire in My Hands by Gary Soto Few writers capture the everyday moments of life like Gary Soto. In direct and vivid poems, he draws from his own youth in California's Central Valley to portray the joys and sorrows of young people. His writing focuses on Latino characters, yet speaks to readers of all ethnicities.

They Call Me Güero by David Bowles Twelve-year-old Mexican American Güero--which is a nickname in Spanish for guys with pale skin whether they are Latino or Anglo--is red-headed and freckled, a nerd, and loves his friend squad of misfits. His seventh-grade "woke" English teacher helps him express himself through poetry and make it cool.

Miss Quinces: a Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo (Illustrator) Sue is down about a family trip to Honduras that's causing her to miss a comics sleepaway camp with her friends. After they arrive at her grandparents' country home, Sue learns they're throwing a quinceañera for her and she feels pressure to participate in the elaborate party.

I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin; Lee White (Illustrator) When her beloved country, Chile, is taken over by a militaristic, sadistic government, Celeste is sent to America for her safety and her parents must go into hiding before they "disappear."

Invisible: a Graphic Novel by Christina Diaz Gonzalez; Gabriela Epstein (Illustrator) When five middle school kids are thrown together to complete community service hours in the local cafeteria, Miguel, Dayara, Sara, Nico, and George, who come from different backgrounds, learn that they've been put together because administrators only see them as Latinx

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo Sixteen-year-olds Camino Rios, of the Dominican Republic, and Yahaira Rios, of New York City, are devastated to learn of their father's death in a plane crash and stunned to learn of each other's existence. A novel in verse told in two voices.

I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña While orphan Kidd struggles for a sense of belonging, he falls in love with the wealthy and secretive Olivia. Devon, however, is less than satisfied with this turn of events and so vows to destroy Kidd's fleeting happiness by revealing painful truths.