11 Middle Grade and Picture Books Kids Will Love Written by Latinas
Make room for these Latina-centered middle-grade and picture books for all the chiquititas and mujeres in your life.
Story written by Karina Quiran-Juarez
School is back in session and the little ones are going to need some book recommendations to add to their reading list. Or, maybe you’re just looking for a few quick weekend reads to add to your book shelf (por que you’re never too old for a good middle grade series). Well, make room for these Latina-centered middle-grade and picture books for all the chiquititas and mujeres in your life. From magical adventures to the focus on family and an abundance of stories about celebrating nuestra cultura, here’s a list of eleven books you don’t want to miss!
Here are 11 children’s books written by Latinas your kids will love:
➀ Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure by Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Fallon and Illustrated by Andrea Campos
Jimmy Fallon tapped Jennifer Lopez for this adorable bilingual adventure, where kids can learn the basics of Spanish alongside a plucky chicken named Pollo. Illustrated by Mexican American author, illustrator and visual artist, Andrea Campos.
➁ Tía Fortuna’s New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey by Ruth Behar and Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
From Pura Belpré award-winning author Ruth Behar comes a family story, exploring heritage and embracing new beginnings. Estrella spends the day with her Tía Fortuna, who has to say goodbye to her longtime Miami apartment building called The Seaway to move into an assisted living community. Helping her pack, Estrella learns to find esperanza, much like her ancestors did, wherever she goes. The picture book, accompanied by gouache, watercolor and colored pencil artwork, showcases the family’s Sephardic Jewish and Cuban heritage.
➂ Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene by Emma Otheguy
Cuban-American fifth grader Sofía Acosta tries to figure out where she belongs in her ballet-loving family and affluent New York suburbs in this coming-of-age middle-grade novel from Emma Otheguy. Sofía may love dreaming up costumes, but unlike her parents, who trained under a prima ballerina, she is a ballet disaster. Luckily, the Acostas decide to host their dancer friends from Cuba, where Sofía discovers more to her family than just ballet. After confiding in her best friend Tricia about the dancers’ secret plans to defect to the United States, Sofía learns more about her community and when to speak up.
➃ Solimar: The Sword Of The Monarchs by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Newbery Honor Medal-winning author Pam Muñoz Ryan delivers a Mexican fantasy middle grade following princess Solimar. The latter has to save her kingdom and the monarch butterflies from a greedy king. On the eve of her Quinceañera and official coronation, Solimar is given the gift of being able to predict the near future and must become the protector of the monarch butterflies. Then while her brother and father are away, she must find the courage to save her kingdom when the remaining villagers are taken hostage.
➄ Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramos and Illustrated by Paola Escobar
In this lyrical Puerto-Rican retelling of Sleeping Beauty, NoNieqa Ramos tells the story of Beauty, a proud Boricua of Taíno and African descent loved and cherished by those around her. However, when she becomes aware of how people like her are treated, the community and her family come together to remind Beauty about the importance of embracing her heritage. Paola Escobar’s vibrantly colored illustrations accompany this picture book.
➅ I’ll Always Come Back to You by Carmen Tafolla and Illustrated by Grace Zong
Exploring the topic of separation anxiety in a humorous and touching voice, Carmen Tafolla tells the story of a mother’s daily tasks (some real and others fictional) that may keep her away for some time but reassures her child that she’ll return home. Grace Zong’s lively illustrations express the heroic feats of parenthood.
➆ With Lots Of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez
After Rocio and her family move to the U.S. from Central America, she struggles with homesickness despite doing her best to adjust. She desperately misses her old life, which included piñatas her Abuela made, Abuela’s cooking and Abuela herself. So when Rocio’s birthday arrives, Abuela sends along something special– with lots of love. Accompanying Jenny Torres Sanchez’s lyrical picture book are André Ceolin’s richly colored illustrations.
⑨ Shine On, Luz Véliz! by Rebecca Balcárcel
Luz Véliz finds herself with a knack for coding in this coming-of-age middle grade from Rebecca Balcárcel. After a knee injury takes her off the soccer field and left unsure if she’ll be returning anytime soon, Luz’s left to wonder, without soccer, who is she? In addition, when someone enters the Vélizes’ lives again, nothing is the same. With an upcoming showcase and the intriguing, brilliant Trevor, Luz will learn to accept change and figure out what makes her shine from Pura Belpré Honoree and International Book Award Latino Finalist author Rebecca Balcárcel.
⑪ Esme’s Birthday Conga Line by Lourdes Heuer and Illustrated by Marissa Valdez
Esme lives with her grandparents on the upper floor of the topmost best building, and it’s her birthday. Mimi and Pipo gifted her a guitar but didn’t plan a birthday party. Not to worry, Esme’s great at solving problems, so with the help of her cat Toro and lots of help from her neighbors, she’ll plan the birthday party of her dreams. Lourdes Heuer’s early illustrated chapter book is accompanied by artwork from NYT Bestselling illustrator Marissa Valdez.
➇ Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega
In this middle-grade novel from New York Times Bestselling and award-winning author Claribel A. Ortega, there’s a magical town known as Ravenskill where witchlings participate in a ceremony to be placed into covens and come into their powers as witches. Twelve-year-old Seven Salazar, among two other witches, find themselves becoming Spares and faced with the possibility of never unlocking their full magic. However, once they are tasked with a dangerous quest and are proven successful, they’ll gain their full powers. If not, they’ll be permanently turned into toads.
⑩ Join the Club, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno
In this middle-grade debut from Nina Moreno, Maggie tries to discover her true passion. Unfortunately, her best friends Zoey and Julian are too busy with their school clubs. While Maggie’s mother is fishing her last semester in college, her perfect older sister Caro has sports to attend and a tutoring club. Then Maggie cooks up a plan involving joining as many clubs as possible! But juggling school, friends and all the clubs aren’t what she expected so she may need some help and a bit of magic from the bruja next door.