As a Latino, I’m always happy to see complex and interesting portrayals of Latino characters in my favorite novels. it makes me feel seen and included in so many different kinds of genres and narratives, and representation matters. Here are some of my favorite books that: feature a Latino main character or cast, are written by an author who identifies as Latino, or both!
1. margarita engle’s rhyming rebellion
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An inspiring coming-of-age story told in “sober and lyrical” prose and verse (the book of horns magazine) by award-winning author margarita engle about a girl who falls in love for the first time while finding the courage to protest for women’s right to vote in Cuba in the 1920s.
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2. your heart, my daisy engle sky
acclaimed author margarita engle tells a “deeply heartfelt and gripping” (horn book magazine)love story in a time of famine inspired by her own family’s struggles during a dark period in the Cuban history.
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3. don’t ask me where i’m from by jennifer de leon
When Liliana Cruz transfers to a rich, almost all-white suburban high school, she does whatever it takes to fit in. to achieve this, he builds walls around him. however, when racial tensions at school reach a fever pitch, the dividing walls feel impassable. but a wall is not always a barrier. it can be a foundation for something better. And Liliana must choose: use this base as a platform to tell the truth about her, or risk crumbling under her weight.
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4. sia martinez and the beginning of everything in the moonlight by raquel vasquez gilliland
This beautifully written book follows sia, a Mexican-American teenager who discovers deep connections between immigration, folklore, and extraterrestrial life. three years have passed since the deportation of sia martinez’s mother and her fateful walk through sonorense. Then one night, Sia’s life and the world as we know it are thrown open. because a spaceship with blue light crashes in front of sia’s car… and takes her mom, who is very much alive.
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5. a cuban girls guide to tea and tomorrow by laura taylor namey
Lila Reyes never planned on spending the summer in England, but when her life seems to be falling apart, her parents have the perfect plan. move in with her friends in winchester, england to relax and reboot. But with a lack of sunshine, a grumpy inn cook, and a small town that lacks the flavor of Miami (food and otherwise), what would be a dream trip to some feels more like a nightmare to Lila. ..until he meets orion maxwell. Soon, a new future begins to form in Lila’s mind, one that would mean leaving behind everything she ever planned.
See Also: 5 Character Tools You Absolutely Need to Know – WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
6. jazz owls by margarita engle
In this timely novel, Margarita Engle explores World War II on the home front, as seen through the eyes of those who were part of the Los Angeles Zoot Suit Riots. Told entirely in verse, this important but often overlooked part of American history is also a great choice for lovers of poetry.
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7. barely missing everything by matt mendez
Matt Mendez’s debut novel is beautifully written and explores how hard it is to make it in life when you, your life, brown lives, don’t matter. Juan and JD both have plans. juan is going to get out of el paso, texas, on a basketball scholarship and jd is going to be a filmmaker. fabi no longer has a plan, not since she got pregnant at sixteen. When Juan and JD embark on a road trip to visit Juan’s father on death row (someone Fabi always claimed was dead), we discover there are some things you just can’t plan…
See Also: 5 Character Tools You Absolutely Need to Know – WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
8. trying in dreams by lilliam rivera
I loved Lilliam Rivera’s first book, The Education of Margot Sanchez, and was so excited for her new book to come out! Set in the distant future, sixteen-year-old Nalah leads the fiercest girl team in the mega city, but quickly grows tired of her questionable lifestyle and dreams of living in the mega towers. To get there, Nalah must prove her loyalty to the city’s benevolent founder and cross the border in search of the mysterious band of Ashè horsemen. The closer she gets to her target, the more she loses sight of everything, and everyone, that matters to her.
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9. the universal laws of marco by carmen rodrigues
The summer before eighth grade, Marco Suarez kissed his best friend Sally Blake. this was his first spark. and then at the end of that year, she disappeared, leaving without even saying why. And now in her senior year, Sally unexpectedly returns and Marco shudders. still, she clings tightly to her carefully choreographed life. a life that is full of reasons why the first sparks don’t matter, the main reason? He has a girlfriend. sometimes i wonder what would happen if he found my first love again years later and if you feel the same then this book is perfect!
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10.the education of margot sanchez by lilliam rivera
margot sanchez is someone with whom I identify deeply; Having grown up in the South Bronx and straddling home environment and private school life, it’s definitely a good read for a laugh and the emotions behind finding one’s place in the world when you feel like you don’t exactly fit in anywhere. place.
See Also: 5 Great Books for Middle School Teachers – Top Education Degrees
After “borrowing” her father’s credit card to finance a dressier wardrobe, Margot Sanchez suddenly finds herself grounded. and by grounding, she means working as a maid in her struggling family’s grocery store to pay off her debts.
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11. aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe by benjamin alire sáenz
I love aristotle and dante. Watching their friendship blossom and grow and how they complement what the other lacks so well, combined with Saenz’s writing, makes for a harrowing but ultimately uplifting journey of love and discovery.
Aristotle is a teenager angry with a brother in prison.
dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of seeing the world.
When the two meet at the pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners begin to spend time together, they discover they share a special friendship, the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it’s through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.
continue ari & Dante’s Love Story In the sequel, Aristotle and Dante dive into the waters of the world.
See Also: 5 Character Tools You Absolutely Need to Know – WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®
12. analee, in real life by janelle milanes
analee, also known as kiri in her favorite online game, has trouble expressing herself outside of the game she spends hours on. trying to bring her online persona to her real life self while navigating high school drama is a lot, but following her dual identities is a great journey and one I can relate to relate a lot plus, she has one of my favorite romantic tropes: fake dates! This book was clearly made for me.
“ever since her mother died three years ago, analee echevarria has had trouble expressing out loud the strange thoughts that settle in her head. With a best friend who hates her and a father who marries a yogi she can’t stand, Analee spends most of her time avoiding reality and playing Kiri, the night elf hunter at the center of her life. favorite online game.
also check out janelle milanes other book, victory on my head!
13. How Luna Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
When her twin sister achieves social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister lurking in the background, destined to be nothing more than her sister’s camerawoman. But this summer, Moon also takes a job as the “merchandising girl” on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers, and her destiny begins to change in the best possible way.
See Also: 5 Character Tools You Absolutely Need to Know – WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®