We envision a future where people actively work to dismantle injustices and build a more peaceful, equitable world.

Latinx Reading List

Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano Park

Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano Park

by María Dolores Águila and Magdalena Mora

(Finalist, 2025)

Warrior Girl

Warrior Girl

by Carmen Tafolla

(Finalist, 2024)

Last Beekeeper, The

The Last Beekeeper

by Pablo Cartaya

(Finalist, 2023)

Mama's Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation

Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation

by Edwidge Danticat, illustrated by Leslie Staub

(Honor, 2016)

Sylvia & Aki

Sylvia & Aki

by Winifred Conkling

(Winner, 2012)

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom

by Tim Tingle, illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges

(Honor, 2007)

Composition, The

The Composition

by Antonio Skarmeta and Alfonso Ruano

(Winner, 2001)

Journey of the Sparrows

Journey of the Sparrows

by Fran Leeper Buss

(Winner, 1992)

Children of the Maya

Children of the Maya

by Brent K. Ashabranner

(Honor, 1987)

Lupita Mañana

Lupita Mañana

by Patricia Beatty

(Honor, 1982)

Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice

Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice

by Anna Lapera

(Finalist, 2025)

Spanish Is the Language of My Family

Spanish Is the Language of My Family

by Michael Genhart and John Parra

Linked

Linked

by Gordon Korman

(Finalist, 2022)

Julián is a Mermaid

Julián is a Mermaid

by Jessica Love

(Honor, 2019)

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation

by Duncan Tonatiuh

(Winner, 2015)

Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos, The

The Storyteller’s Candle / La velita de los cuentos

(Honor, 2009)

by Lucia M. Gonzalez, illustrated by Lulu Delacre

Poems to Dream Together / Poemas para sonar juntos

Poems to Dream Together / Poemas para sonar juntos

by Francisco X. Alarcón, illustrated by Paula Barragan

(Honor, 2006)

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Yuyi Morales

(Winner, 2004)

Most Beautiful Place in the World, The

The Most Beautiful Place in the World

by Ann Cameron, illustrated by Thomas Burt Allen

(Honor, 1989)

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez

by María Dolores Águila

(Finalist, 2026)

Undercover Latina

Undercover Latina

by Aya de León

(Winner, 2023)

¡Mambo Mucho Mambo!: The Dance That Crossed Color Lines

¡Mambo Mucho Mambo!: The Dance That Crossed Color Lines

by Dean Robbins, illustrated by Eric Velasquez

(Finalist, 2023)

Land of the Cranes

Land of the Cranes

by Aida Salazar

(Honor, 2021)

Day You Begin, The

The Day You Begin

by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

(Winner, 2019)

Surrender Tree, The: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom

by Margarita Engle

(Winner, 2009)

Color of My Words, The

The Color of My Words

by Lynn Joseph

(Honor, 2001)

Nilda

Nilda

by Nicholasa Mohr

(Winner, 1974)

Viva La Raza!: The Struggle of the Mexican-American People

Viva La Raza!: The Struggle of the Mexican-American People

by Elizabeth Sutherland Martínez

(Honor, 1975)

The Pecan Sheller

by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

(Finalist, 2026)

Until Someone Listens

Until Someone Listens

by Estela Juarez, Lissette Norman, illustrated by Teresa Martínez

(Finalist, 2023)

Seed in the Sun, A

A Seed in the Sun

by Aida Salazar

(Finalist, 2023)

Rima's Rebellion: Courage in a Time of Tyranny

Rima’s Rebellion: Courage in a Time of Tyranny

by Margarita Engle

(Finalist, 2023)

Treasure of the World

Treasure of the World

by Tara Sullivan

(Finalist, 2022)

Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna

by Alda P. Dobbs

(Finalist, 2022)

Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal

Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal

by Margarita Engle

(Honor, 2015)

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

(Winner, 2001)

Circuit, The: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child

The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child

by Francisco Jiménez

(Honor, 1998)

TeachingBooks defines their category of “Latinx” as: “Books focusing on the histories, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of people of Latin American descent living anywhere in the world.”

More Resources

September is Latinx Heritage Month! Learn more here.

Américas Award

Founded to encourage and commend authors, illustrators, and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use. Find out more here.

Pura Belpre Award

Sponsored by the American Library Association, honoring Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. Find out more here.

Tomas Rivera Book Award

Honoring authors and illustrators who create children’s literature depicting the Mexican American experience that is accurate and engaging, avoid stereotypes, and reflects rich characterization. Find out more here.

Jane Addams Peace Association