LATINO LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS

LATINO LITERATURE FOR
CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
Updated: by Bob Nelson
This is a list of fictional books for children and teens. The books
each have as a hero someone of Hispanic background. The main
characters each overcome trials and tribulations having to do with
their background.
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Loves Me, Loves Me Not
By , Anilu Bernardo, 1998, 169 p. Grs 9­12
Call #: YF BER
While trying to win the attention of a basketball star, Maggie, a Cuban
American learns painful lessons about romantic young love
Colibri
By Ann Cameron, 2003, 227 p. Grs 5­7
Call #: JF Cam
Kidnapped as a child and forced to lie and beg for money, a twelve­year­old
Mayan girl wishes she could return to the parents she can hardly remember
All the way to Mexico
By Norma M. Charles, 2003, 158 p. Grs 5­7r
Call #: JF CHA
12­year­old Jacob and his sister are going on their mother's honeymoon with
the groom, & two sons, all crammed into a car, heading for Mexico
Centerfield ballhawk
By Matt Christopher, 1992, 59 p. Grs 3­6
Call #: JF Chrr
Jose Mendez worries about his poor batting performance and fears
disappointing his father, who had an outstanding batting average.
Salt Lake County Library Services 2197 Fort Union Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 Phone: 801­943­4636

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Secret of the Andes
By Ann Nolan Clark 1952, 120 pgs. Gr. 5­8
Call #: JF Cla
Adventures of eight­year­old Cusi who takes care of the llamas in the remote
Andes of Inca culture
Romiette & Julio
By Sharon M Draper, 1999, 236 p. Grs 6­9
Call # YF DRA
Romiette, an Black girl, and Julio, a Hispanic boy, fall in love on the
Internet, but are harrassed by a school gang who object to their dating
Party Girl
By Lynne Ewing, 1998, 110 p. Grs.7­8
Call #: YF EWI
The death of her best friend in a drive­by shooting causes15­yr­old Kata to
question her life in the Los Angeles gang life.
Shark beneath the reef
By Jean Craighead George, 1991, 182 p. 5­7
Call #: JF GEO
A young Mexican fisherman comes of age as he becomes aware of the
politics, corruption, and changes around him
The music thief
By Peni R Griffin, 2002, 154 p. Grs 5­8
Call #: JF GRI
11­yr­old Alma coping with the shooting death of her favorite singer and
family problems, finds herself doing something she knows is wrong.
Kokopelli's Flute
By Will Hobbs, Will, 1995, 165 p. Grs 2­4
Call #: JF Hob
13­yr­old Tepary discovers an old flute in a cliff dwelling in New Mexico,
and through its power he learns about ancient Native American magic
Class President
By Johanna Hurwitz 1990, 85 pgs. Gr. 4­7r
Call #: JF Hur
Julio hides his leadership qualities by helping a friend in his candidacy for
class president while he learns to take pride in his own Puerto Rican heritage
Salt Lake County Library Services 2197 Fort Union Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 Phone: 801­943­4636

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Fourth Grade Fuss
By Johanna Hurwitz, 2004, 132 p. Grs 2­4r
Call #: JF Hur
Julio and his friends have a lot of fun in fourth grade, but they must get
serious about studying as the statewide end­of­year test approaches
And Now Miguel
By Joseph Krumgold 1953, 245 pgs. Gr. 3­5
Call #: JF Kru
Miguel Chavez, twelve­years­old, wants desperately to show he's ready to
tend the sheep at the family's ranch in Taos, New Mexico
Enchanted runner
By Kimberley Griffiths Little1999, 149 p. Grs 5­7.
Call #: JF LIT
12yr­old Kendall, half Anglo and half Acoma, discovers0 his heritage and
his destiny as a runner when he visits his great­grandfather's pueblo
The last Snake Runner
By Kimberly Griffiths Little, 2002, 201 p. Grs 7­9r
Call #: JF Lit
14­yr­old Kendall, half Anglo and half Acoma, Time travels to 16th­century,
New Mexico, to play his destined role as the last member of the Snake Clan
Mick
By Chris Lynch, 1996, 146 p. Grs.7­9
Call #: YF LYN
Friendship with Hispanic students offers 15­yr­old Mick an alternative to the
drunken savagery of his brother and the prejudice of Irish­American Boston
Red Midnight
By Ben Mikaelsen, 2002, 212 p. Grs 5 & up
Call #: YF Mik
After soldiers kill his family, 12­yr­old Santiago and his 4­yr­old sister flee
Guatemala in a kayak and try to reach the United States
Tree Girl
By Ben Mikaelsen 2004, 225 p
Call #: YF MIK
Gabriela sees the destruction of her Mayan village and the murder of its
inhabitants. Only from a Mexican refugee camp can she face her fears
Salt Lake County Library Services 2197 Fort Union Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 Phone: 801­943­4636

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A Crazy Mixed­up Spanglish Day
By Maria Montes, 2003, 120 p. Grs. 2­4
Call #: JF Mon
Maritza Gabriela Morales Mercado struggles with the third grade bully, to
control her temper, and to r to speak Spanish at home and English at school.
Carlota
By Scott O'Dell 1977, 141 pgs. Gr. 5­8
Call #: YF Ode
California in the 1840's is the setting for this novel about a 16 year­old girl's
life against the background of the Mexican­American war.
Cuba 15 : a novel
By Nancy Osa, 2003, 277 p
Call #: YF Osa
Violet Paz, a Chicago student, reluctantly prepares for her upcoming
quince," the celebration of an Hispanic girl's fifteenth birthday.
The Crossing
By Gary Paulsen 1987, 114 pgs. Gr. 5­8
Call #: YF Pau
A 13­year­old orphan gets help from an emotionally disturbed soldier as he
seeks a way to cross the border
Why Does the Coqui Sing?
By Barbara Garland Polikoff, 2004, 213 p. Grs 4­8
Call #: JF POL
When 13­yr­old Luz and her family move back to Puerto Rico, she and her
brother struggle to adjust and to decide where it is they really belong.
Rio Grande Stories
By Carolyn Meyer 1994, 257 pgs
Call #: YSC Rio
Anthology of stories that relate to Hispanic Americans, Native Americans,
African Americans and Anglos in New Mexico
Becoming Naomi Leon
By Mu­noz Ryan 2004, 246 p. Grs 5­8
Call #: JF RYA
When Naomi's mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico
with her great­grandmother and younger brother insearch of her father.
Salt Lake County Library Services 2197 Fort Union Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 Phone: 801­943­4636

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Esperanza Rising
By Pam Mu Ryan, 2000, 262 p. Grs. 5­7
Call #: JF RYA
Esperanza and her mother leave a life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to
work in the labor camps of Southern California
Baseball in April and Other Stories
By Gary Soto 1990, 111 pgs. Gr. 4­6r
Call #: JF Sot
Fresno, California is the setting for these eleven stories about everyday life
in a Mexican­American community
Boys at Work
By Gary Soto, 1995, 134 p. Grs 4­6
Call #: JF Sot
When 10 yr old Rudy a Mexican­ American breaks a Discman at a baseball
game, he comes up with ways to make money to pay for a new one.
I, Juan de Pareja
By Elizabeth Barton de Treviño 1965, 180 pgs. Gr. 5­9
Call #: JF Tre
This novel relates the 16th century life of the son of an African woman and a
Spaniard who is raised by Spanish painter Diego Velasquez
Petty crimes
By Gary Soto, 1995, 157 pgs. Grs. 4­6
Call #: JF Sot
A collection of short stories about Mexican American youth
growing up in California's Central Valley
The Skirt
By Gary Soto 1992, 74 pgs. Gr. 3 & up
Call #: JF Sot
Warm family life in small town California serves as the background for
Miata's clever scheme to recover the treasured folk shirt she has lost.
Taking Sides
By Gary Soto 1991, 138 pgs. Gr. 6­9
Call #: YF Sot
14­year­old Lincoln Mendoza wants to make the basketball team but a coach
who doesn't like Mexicans may be more of an obstacle.
Salt Lake County Library Services 2197 Fort Union Blvd, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 Phone: 801­943­4636