Celebrate decades of bold storytelling by Latino authors that the whole family will love. From the ranches of Mexico to the United States Supreme Court, there's plenty to discover this National Hispanic Heritage Month. These stories feature contributions of Hispanic Americans and Latino authors from many Latin American countries. Listen to poetry together with your child. Hear stories from children's books packed with creativity and culture. We're celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by lifting up powerful Latino voices while bringing families together.
You can find the Spanish version of this list .
Best bud or scary, mythical monster? For 12-year-old Jorge, who has just moved in with his grandparents, his new friend Carter might be one and the same. After finally finding a buddy to pal around with, Jorge discovers that Carter–his young Chupacabra friend–is on the short-list of suspects for killing some cattle. But could fun-loving Carter (with awesome taste in sneakers) really be a cold-blooded cattle killer? Jorge is torn. From always-comedic George Lopez comes a soon-to-be kid classic that pairs humor with heart and teaches kids–and adults, too–that you can’t always judge a book by its cover.
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has always wanted to make the world a better place and help people–even from the time she was a little girl. Just Help!, a book by Sonia Sotomayor, dives into the nightly tradition of Sonia’s Mami asking her a simple, powerful question–how did you help today? Listeners will learn to discover a neighborhood-wide journey where people of all ages, races, and occupations do something radical–help one another. The objective to build a better world and create a stronger community together is at the center of it all. What will kids learn from this listen? How to make the world a better place–one small action at a time.
The back and forth, pros and cons, and blessings of being part of a family can sometimes feel like a wrestling match. For some, that’s just an expression–but for Adela “Addie” Ramirez, a 12-year-old on a mission to understand her biological father, it’s an actuality. Pressed with the question of whether or not she’d like to be adopted by the stepfather she adores, Adela takes on the quest to get to know her father and his side of the family–who just so happen to be luchadores. Listeners will tag along as Adela learns the good, the bad, and the bizarre about what it means to be part of a luchadore family.
Sometimes making a scene is what it takes to protect–and stand up for–the people you love. When Sofia Acosta meets her immigrant parents' famous Cuban ballerina friends, she's relieved to hear there's more to life than dancing (which she's not so skilled at). When she accidentally spills a secret to her best friend that could ruin her new friend's plans to defect to the United States, Sofia realizes something powerful–there are people in this country who might not want immigrant families like hers to stick around. Should Sofia stay quiet and let prejudice sink deeper into the fabric of her community? Or should she stand up, make a scene, and let the world know that her family–and families like hers–belong here, too? Listeners will love this story about heart, healing, and standing up for what's right.
Home life might not be perfect, but almost- sixth-graders Isaac and Marco have devised the perfect plan to remedy that. From improving grades to snagging a coveted spot on the school basketball team, both boys are sure that with a little improvement, they can right the wrongs that are happening at home. But how can these two boys change things out of their control, and further, how can they help each other from falling short of their lofty goals? From Ernesto Cisneros comes a painfully accurate picture of youthful friendship and how sometimes, a little support from the ones you love can take you further than you thought you could go.
For listeners seeking an epic follow-up to the fantasy adventure Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, you’ve finally found it. Packed with can’t-stop-listening adventure, plenty of twists, and lots of important life lessons along the way, Cece Rios and the King of Fears is all about taking fate into your own hands. Listeners will love how the Rios sisters tackle whatever challenge gets in their way and always have each other’s backs. This best-selling, award-winning book is a must for thrill-seeking listeners who love a good story.
From Julian Andall comes a tale of family secrets, gentrification, overcoming obstacles, and facing our demons–even when that demon is the fearsome Dominican boogeyman. Applauded for how tightly it grips listeners, Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is a story of how one girl’s quest to free her cousin turns into a lesson on change, acceptance, and becoming your own person. Listeners will love Pilar Violeta “Purp” Ramirez’s brave spirit, fighting nature, and commitment to what’s right–they also won’t be able to get enough of how author Julian Andall enraptures them in a world of butterfly shape-shifters, blended fiction, and important life lessons.
Perfect for middle-graders looking for a story with plenty of heart and humor, Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish is the brave tale of a curious boy on the hunt for his father who walked out on his family ten years ago. As Marcus Vega tackles Puerto Rico in search of the man he never knew, his life is changed forever, and along the way Marcus Vega becomes more familiar with himself than ever before. Perfect for listeners who love a story of growth, change, and evolution, Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish is all about how one boy experiences a life-changing week–and learns a little bit of Spanish, too.
She’s a teeny-tiny person with plenty of names–but how did such a small girl acquire six different names? When Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela turns to her family to learn more about her name, she receives more than just an explanation–she receives a lesson in her own history and the bright, kind, and colorful people who helped define it. A vibrant story about culture, family, joy, and inheritance, this coming-of-age listen gives audiences a peek at what makes each of us–and our names–so special in their own right.
A book lover at heart, Ana can’t get enough of the stories she reads in books. But in her small town, the few books just don’t cut it–so when a traveling library on a burrow’s back falls into her lap, her entire life changes forever. Based on the beautiful efforts of librarian Luis Soriano who created mobile libraries all over rural Colombia, Waiting for the Biblioburro tells the awe-inspiring story of how books, stories, and literacy can change the lives of children everywhere. Listeners will love the sweet story of Ana and her literacy infatuation–and audiences of all ages will be inspired by the real-life efforts of mobile librarian Luis Soriano who made it his mission to bring literacy to children all over Colombia.
This bilingual listen is more than just a story listeners will enjoy hearing; it’s the awe-inspiring tale of 11 American Latinas who made history by accomplishing something that had never been done before. From the true-life tale of Antonia Novello, the first female Surgeon General in America, to the stories of Rita Morena, the first Latina to bring home an Oscar, this listen is packed with awe-inspiring tales of powerful, bold, and brave Latina women who made big impacts in the United States.
The many voices of Latinos in America have been silenced throughout the centuries, but author Margarita Engle now welcomes them to speak through her poetry. In Dreams from Many Rivers, take a dive into American history through the eyes of Latinos who have been contributing through the centuries. Explore the varied impacts of immigrants from Latin America, plus the ways Latino people have influenced US culture, history, and more. Listen as a family and learn more about the struggles and triumphs of Latino community members from the beginning of the US to the present day. Latin America has always been our neighbor; here's how her people have been a part of us.
Celebrate creativity, diversity and the power of the imagination with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Díaz's delightful debut audiobook for children. Islandborn follows Lola as she explores her heritage with the help of family and friends. Lola's abuela says it best: 'Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you.' The best part? This listen is enriched with musical moments your kids will love.