Hispanic & Latinx American Literature

From September 15 to October 15, we honor the history, diversity, and talent of the Hispanic and Latinx American communities. You can use this collection to choose texts that explore the literary contributions of Latinx and Hispanic authors.

The Sunbearer Trials

by Aiden Thomas

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Hope, Loneliness, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Animals, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Wins & Losses

Tags Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Mythology

... Read The Sunbearer Trials Summary

The Tequila Worm

by Viola Canales

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Education, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Poverty, Diversity, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Arts & Culture

The Tequila Worm, published in 2005 by Random House, (first edition) is a middle grade novel about a young Mexican American girl, Sofia, who comes from a family of storytellers. The tales Sofia hears strengthen her ties to her family and their traditions in the Texas barrio where they live. Though poor, the family does not struggle, finding riches in the practice of making Easter cascarones, (colored eggs) celebrating Dia de los Muertos, (Day of... Read The Tequila Worm Summary

The Underdogs

by Mariano Azuela

Publication year 1929

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Education, Education, Latin American Literature, World History, Historical Fiction

Mariano Azuela’s The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution first appeared in a newspaper serialization in 1915, was published in its complete form in 1920, and was first translated into English in 1929. The Underdogs is considered among the finest works of fiction to focus on the Mexican Revolution. The author served as a medic in the conflict, bringing authenticity and insight to the story. The book can be read as a critique of... Read The Underdogs Summary

The Unworthy

by Agustina Bazterrica, Transl. Sarah Moses

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Hope, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Death, Future, Self Discovery, Community, Good & Evil, Power & Greed

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, LGBTQ+

... Read The Unworthy Summary

The Wind Knows My Name

by Isabel Allende

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Apathy, Shame & Pride, Family, Justice, Equality, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Politics & Government, Immigration

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, World War II, Holocaust, Social Class, World History, History of the Americas, US History, Immigration & Refugeeism, Military & War, Politics & Government, Social Justice, Music, Trauma & Abuse, Race & Racism

... Read The Wind Knows My Name Summary

This Is How You Lose Her

by Junot Díaz

Publication year 2010

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

This Is How You Lose Her is a short story collection published in 2012 by the Dominican American author Junot Díaz, and his second story collection. The book is comprised of nine stories, most of which were originally published in The New Yorker magazine. Eight of the stories feature the same narrator, Yunior, who also appears as a character in Díaz’s other major works, Drown and The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. This Is... Read This Is How You Lose Her Summary

Tight

by Torrey Maldonado

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Trust & Doubt

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Tight Summary

Touching Spirit Bear

by Ben Mikaelsen

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Forgiveness

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Touching Spirit Bear is a young adult fiction novel written by Ben Mikaelsen and originally published in 2002. It is a bildungsroman and adventure story and the first in a two-part series. Ben Mikaelsen was inspired by his own pet black bear, Buffy, to whom he dedicated the book; the novel also takes cultural inspiration from the Tlingit Tribe of Alaska. Touching Spirit Bear is the recipient of nine awards, including the Nevada Young Readers’... Read Touching Spirit Bear Summary

Trust

by Hernan Diaz

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History

... Read Trust Summary

Tumble

by Celia C. Perez

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Gender Identity, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Sports, Latin American Literature, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Tumble Summary

Under The Mesquite

by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Immigration, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Dramatic Literature, Immigration & Refugeeism, Poverty, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Arts & Culture

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall is a coming-of-age story about the importance of family, heritage, and perseverance. This young adult novel comes directly from McCall’s own experiences as a young Mexican immigrant, a writer with a dream, and a teenager who watches her mother die from cancer. Under the Mesquite infuses poetic form, free verse, imagery, and sprinkles of the Spanish language in order to portray a bildungsroman in which a young girl... Read Under The Mesquite Summary