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Product Description: The young Mexican American girl at the center of this charming book loves her family — five younger brothers, her two parents, and several visiting relatives — but in such a crowded house, she can never seem to find a moment alone. Told in both English and Spanish, this boldly illustrated title based on the author’s childhood delivers the inspiring story of a California family that pulled together to give a young girl her own corner of the world.

My Very Own Room

Amada Irma Pérez

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: The Upside Down Boy is the sequel to Calling the Doves and award-winning poet Juan Felipe Herrera’s engaging memoir of the year his migrant family settled down so that he could go to school for the first time. Juanito is bewildered by the new school, and he misses the warmth of country life. Everything he does feels upside downBut a sensitive teacher and loving family help him to find his voice and make a place for himself in this new world through poetry, art, and music.

The Upside Down Boy

Juan Felipe Herrera

Illustrator:

Elizabeth Gomez

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: The yellow dress Erandi wants for her birthday will look beautiful with her long, thick braids. But Mama’s fishing net is full of holes, and there isn’t enough money to buy both a new net and a birthday dress. The only solution lies with the hair buyers from the city. But Mama’s hair isn’t nearly as beautiful as Erandi’s. Will Erandi have to choose between her birthday present and her braids? This touching tale of love and sacrifice is sprinkled throughout with Spanish words and expressions.

Erandi’s Braids

Antonio Hernández Madrigal

Illustrator:

Tomie dePaola

Age Level:

6-9

Genre:

Fiction

“Jessenia, her Mami, and her brother, Luis, are off to the suburbs to watch Jessenia swim at a meet. Jessenia is intimidated by the big new suburban pool and the fact that the other team is on a winning streak. Her team is behind, but she manages to win her last matchJessenia’s story is juxtaposed against the memories Mami has of her home in Puerto Rico; as Jessenia swims, the blue of the water reminds her of the expanse of ocean Mami has often described.” — Booklist

Get Set! Swim!

Jeannine Atkins

Illustrator:

Hector Viveros Lee

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: Stolen away from her parents on her first birthday by island sorceress Madam Fate, beautiful Sugar Cane grows up in a tower overlooking the sea, her only consolation her love of music. Then one night, someone does hear her song, but could this young man with a gift for music break the spell of Madam Fate and help Sugar Cane set herself free? Patricia Storace’s lyrical and poignant retelling of the Rapunzel tale in a Caribbean setting is perfectly matched with Raúl Colón’s lush illustrations.

Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel

Patricia Storace

Illustrator:

Raul Colón

Age Level:

6-9

This Taino creation story describes how the island of Puerto Rico came into existence when the Earth was a desert without water. A young boy’s adventures lead to the growth of a beautiful forest on top of a mounatain and then the introduction of the sea and its creatures around the base of the mountain, which becomes an island. The lovely, stylized illustrations are a perfect match for the traditional story.

The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico

Nina Jaffe

Illustrator:

Enrique O. Sanchez

Age Level:

6-9

Far on the other side of the mountains, next to an enchanted castle, grows a tree with three golden oranges. It is there that three brothers must journey if they wish to find a wife. Will the brothers be able to avert misfortune by working together? Will they be strong enough to break the spell that a wicked sorcerer has placed on the castle? Alma Flor Ada offers this poetic retelling of a well-loved traditional story about Blancaflor, a mythical young woman who appears in stories throughout the Hispanic world.

The Three Golden Oranges

Alma Flor Ada

Illustrator:

Stephen Cartwright

Age Level:

9-12

Genre:

Fairytales, Folk Tales, and Tall Tales, Fiction

“Soto takes readers to a Mexican American nuptial, and young Maya, the flower girl, is the lens through which the action is seenCreated with Sculpy clay, acrylic paints, wood, ribbons, and flowers, the art is displayed in large boxes set against pages covered with lace. The doll-like members of the wedding are exaggerated just enough to be amusing; at times, just a body part or two are highlighted, as when Maya’s feet are shown on top of her father’s while they dance.” — Booklist

Snapshots from the Wedding

Gary Soto

Illustrator:

Stephanie Garcia

Age Level:

3-6

Juanito is miserable — his family has just moved to New York, and because he only speaks Spanish, he has no one to talk to. What’s more, his dog, Pepito, is lost! Juanito knows that most of his neighbors won’t understand “Mi perro se ha perdido,” so he asks a man at the bank to help him make a sign in English. Suddenly, people all over the city want to help Juanito find Pepito…and the search is on!

My Dog Is Lost

Ezra Jack Keats

Age Level:

3-6

Genre:

Fiction

The Corn Grows Ripe

Dorothy Rhoads

Illustrator:

Jean Charlot

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: Diego and his family are migrant farmers who move from state to state picking fruits and vegetables. Each day brings a new experience — a different place, a different crop, and different people to meet. But no matter where Diego goes, his radio goes with him — it helps him to learn about the places he’s going and to keep in touch with the people he meets along the way.

Radio Man

Arthur Dorros

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: In this short chapter book, we meet Gloria, who always spends Christmas with Papi, Mama, and Nana. But this Christmas, Papi is away picking oranges and Mama has to work at the hotel where she is a maid. Gloria soon discovers that the lavish decorations and foods piled high on the tables are only for the guests. How Gloria moves from disappointment to understanding makes for a poignant story that honors the true spirit of the Christmas season.

Mama Had to Work on Christmas

Carolyn Marsden

Illustrator:

Robert Casilla

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: It’s the Feast of the Three Kings, and that means the Three Wise Men, or Magi, will ride through the night sky to deliver gifts to children. Four-year-old Federico has misbehaved, and now he is afraid the Magi won’t leave him any presents. As his brother and sister prepare hay and water for the Magi’s camels, Federico wonders if the Magi will really come. This gorgeously illustrated storybook by Beatriz Vidal glows with warmth and holiday cheer, and readers everywhere will surely find themselves scanning the night skies for the Magi.

Federico and the Magi’s Gift: A Latin American Christmas Story

Beatriz Vidal

Age Level:

3-6

Product Description: On Christmas Eve, Carlos is dismayed to see the procession of neighbors and friends coming up the front walk for Las Posadas. His parents and grandfather aren’t home yet — so it’s up to Carlos to take over Grandfather’s role as the Innkeeper. But he’s so frightened, he can hardly breathe, let alone sing! Carlos’s triumph over his shyness, and the joyful celebration that follows, make this a satisfying story for any season.

Carlos, Light the Farolito

Jean Ciavonne

Illustrator:

Donna Clair

Age Level:

6-9

Product Description: In the night sky, the moon hangs low and the fireflies flicker. A young girl in a small town explores the haunted house of the revolutionary Juan Sebastian, discovers music on the cantina’s jukebox, and is chided by her mother for mischievousness. Award-winning poet and writer Lucha Corpi recalls her childhood in Jaltipan, Mexico and shares the discovery that, like Juan Sebastian, each person has a destiny to follow.

Where Fireflies Dance

Lucha Corpi

Illustrator:

Mira Reisberg

Age Level:

6-9

Age Level:

6-9

“Growing up in El Salvador, Maria understands that her father can work for neither the government nor the guerrillas without reprisals from the other side. Now they must barter their handiwork and their furniture for food. Going to market with her father, she takes along her stuffed bear Paco. When Papa leaves Maria in charge, she finds the courage to make good trades, even letting her beloved Paco go in exchange for the food her family needs.” — Booklist

A Bear for Miguel

Elaine Marie Alphin

Illustrator:

Joan Sandin

Age Level:

6-9

“Lucia Zenteno is a mythic character, a woman of great beauty who is perfectly in tune with nature. She is indeed larger than life, and though beloved by the creatures of the countryside, she becomes the target of human hatred and fear and is driven out of her village because she is different. It is only as nature mourns and the river leaves with her that the people realize that they need her. This original (Zapotec) folktale is skillfully told, and is solid and colorfully steeped with imagery of the earth and sky.” — School Library Journal

The Woman Who Outshone the Sun

Alejandro Cruz Martinez

Illustrator:

Fernando Olivera

Age Level:

6-9

What Can You Do With a Paleta?

Carmen Tafolla

Illustrator:

Magaly Morales

Age Level:

3-6

Genre:

Fiction

Reading 101

In the Classroom

Helping All Readers

Books & Authors

Literacy at Home

Book Finder

My Very Own Room

The Upside Down Boy

Erandi’s Braids

Get Set! Swim!

Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel

The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico

The Three Golden Oranges

Snapshots from the Wedding

My Dog Is Lost

The Corn Grows Ripe

Radio Man

Mama Had to Work on Christmas

Federico and the Magi’s Gift: A Latin American Christmas Story

Carlos, Light the Farolito

Where Fireflies Dance

Carmen’s Colors

José! Born to Dance: The Story of José Limón

The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough

My Island and I: The Nature of Puerto Rico

Burro’s Tortillas

Felipa and the Day of the Dead

A Bear for Miguel

The Woman Who Outshone the Sun

What Can You Do With a Paleta?

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