During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we recognize and celebrate the heritage, culture and contributions that Hispanic and Latino Americans have made for our country. Scholastic is the proud publisher of many diverse books that celebrate Hispanic culture. Below are some of our new favorites that we will be reading during this month and all year round.
El Chavo: Una aventura a lo grande / A Great Big Adventure by María Domínguez & Juan Pablo Lombana (Ages 4–8: Meet El Chavo and his quirky neighborhood friends. In this English/Spanish storybook, Chavo and his pals are on a mission to steal a delicious plate of cookies from Don Ramon. But Chavo is convinced that Doña Clotilde put a spell on them! What happens next is a crazy, hilarious adventure involving catapults, tiny shrinking kids, a giant spider, and a whole lot of fun.
Emma is on the Air: Big News! by Ida Siegal (Ages 7–10): In this first book in the newEmma Is On the Air series, Emma Perez is getting ready for family dinner when she sees a field reporter on the nightly news. Even though she thinks the news is super boring, Emma realizes that TV newscasters get to be in the spotlight every day—her dream! She immediately decides to launch her own broadcast career, with a little help from her journalist dad. Emma gets her first lessons in story-telling and problem-solving when a gross mystery throws her lunchroom into chaos: her classmate Javier finds a worm in his hamburger. Emma begins gathering clues, interviewing witnesses, and filing video reports in an effort to crack the case. But will she find out the truth about the offensive insect before the health inspector shuts down the cafeteria?
Moving Target by Christina Diaz Gonzalez (Ages 8–12): Moving Target by award-winning author Christina Diaz Gonzalez is an exciting action-packed adventure that’s a fast-paced thrill-ride filled with twists, rich riddles and myth that will keep readers on edge until the very end.
While studying in Rome Cassie has her world ripped apart when someone tries to kill her father, an art history professor at an Italian university. What would anyone want with a middle-aged art history professor? As Cassie sets out to uncover what is happening, she quickly learns she is a member of an ancient secret bloodline and the key to using a legendary object that can alter the future called the Spear of Destiny. With the help of her friend Simone and her guardian Asher, she must decipher the clues that will lead her to the Spear. Her life and the fate of the world depend on it.
A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord (Ages 8–12): Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord writes powerful middle-grade novels that touch upon sensitive topics like autism in Rules (2006) and Alzheimer’s disease in Half a Chance (2014). Now, award-winning Lord returns with A Handful of Stars; illuminating the world of migrant workers and the power of friendship.
When Lily’s blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it’s Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season. After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily’s grandfather. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, Salma and Lily’s friendship transforms. They’ll have to face some tough truths about friendship, migrant life and belonging.
Becoming Maria by Sonia Manzano (Ages 12 and up): Emmy Award-winning actress and writer Sonia Manzano plunges us into the daily lives of a loving and yet deeply troubled Latino family with her young adult memoir, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx. Sonia’s story starts with her earliest memories, hiding from an alcoholic father and a rotating cast of noisy and sometimes frightening relatives. Sonia turns to the TV and to her own creative drive to escape from her painful reality. A school trip to see West Side Story on Broadway opens a new world of possibilities for Sonia and she realizes she must leave the barrio behind to pursue her acting dreams. Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx paints a heartbreakingly humorous portrait of a resilient little girl who becomes her own strong, successful woman and inspires millions.
