Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Through Books

September 15–October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and uplifting Hispanic heritage, cultures, achievements, and history. Now more than ever, it is important to support and uplift Hispanic communities in the face of fear and harm inflicted upon them by the current administration.

Priscilla Weddle, Current OEP Board Member and Former Children's Peace Formation Coordinator, has compiled a list of children’s books by Hispanic authors that highlight themes of activism, courage, and culture. From the community’s powerful stand to create Chicano Park in Barrio Rising to the meaningful cross-border visits in My Two Border Towns, these stories showcase the resilience and richness of Hispanic heritage.

Through music, family traditions, and acts of resistance, each book invites young readers to explore real experiences that celebrate identity and inspire strength.

Barrio Rising: The Protest that Built Chicano Park By María Dolores Águila

This book tells the story of San Diego’s Chicano Park and how the community used nonviolent activism to claim the space they were promised. In Barrio Logan, a historic Chicane neighborhood, residents took action when they discovered the city was building a police station instead of the long-promised park. Through a powerful twelve-day land occupation, neighbors came together to defend their community and culture.

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez By Kathleen Krull

This book tells stories from Cesar Chavez’s childhood, and how Chavez became an activist for change.

The Composition By Antonio Skármeta

Pedro is a young boy who likes to play soccer. At school, Pedro and his classmates are asked by the government to write a composition about what their families do at night. Pedro does not want the government to find out that his parents secretly listen to the radio at night, so he leaves this part out of his composition.

Dreamers By Yuyi Morales

Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story and how the public library helped her feel like she belonged.

I Love Saturdays y Domingos By Alma Flor Ada

On Saturdays, a young girl visits her grandparents who have a European-American background. On Saturdays, she visits her abuelita and abuelito who are Mexican-American. She details what she does with each grandparent while visiting.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music By Margarita Engle

This story is about a girl who breaks the rules to become a drummer.

Alma and How She Got Her Name By Juana Martinez-Neal

Alma, whose full name is Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela, thinks she has too many names, so she asks her dad about them. He explains the various people she was named after to honor them. 

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln By Margarita Engle 

This book tells the inspiring story of Teresa Carreño, a young piano prodigy who fled Venezuela as a refugee and later played for President Abraham Lincoln. From an early age, Teresa used music to express her emotions, composing her own pieces and performing in grand spaces. After arriving in the United States, she faced the challenges of a new language, a divided country, and the heartbreak of war. Still, her extraordinary talent brought comfort and hope to others, eventually leading her to the White House during one of the nation’s darkest times.

Islandborn By Junot Díaz

When Lola’s teacher asks the class to draw a picture of where their family is from, all the kids are excited—except Lola, who left The Island as a baby and doesn’t remember it. With the help of family and friends, she gathers memories that are joyful, magical, and sometimes painful. Through their stories and her imagination, Lola begins to reconnect with her roots and understands that a place can live inside you, even if you don’t remember it.

My Two Border Towns By David Bowles

In this heartfelt picture book, a young boy and his father make their regular Saturday trip across the U.S.-Mexico border to visit loved ones and favorite spots. Their journey includes stops for food, a visit with family, and errands that reflect the rhythm of daily life in two connected towns. Most meaningful of all is their visit to people seeking asylum, where they offer supplies and compassion.