Hispanic Heritage Month Booklist September 15 ‐ October 15, 2015 Powering Growth & Influence Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year to honor the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, México and Chile. Hispanic Americans also include those with South American, Cuban, and Puerto Rican origins. It is a time for all Hispanic Americans, our largest and fastest growing community, to celebrate their culture! The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute has chosen this year’s theme to be "Powering Growth & Influence." In honor of this month, here is list of books, websites, and videos that will help you learn more about Hispanic American history and culture. This includes juvenile fiction and nonfiction, young adult fiction and nonfiction, adult fiction and nonfiction, DVDs, and websites. All books and videos are available at the Norfolk Public Library. FICTION The following selected fiction includes titles by award winning authors, recent best sellers, novels that are acclaimed, or titles that provide important insight into the history of Hispanic Heritage. The Amado Women (Désirée Zamorano) Mercy Amado raised three daughters in Southern California and became a teacher with little help from her ex‐husband. Now she watches helplessly as those sisters drift apart as adults. Investment manager Celeste and artist Nataly barely speak, and Sylvia lives in wealthy suburbia with an abusive husband. When Sylvia's marriage crumbles, the Amado women test the strength of their family ties. Barrio Boy (Ernesto Galarza) First published in 1971, Galarza’s classic chronicles the story of a young Mexican boy who moves from a small town to the barrio of Sacramento in the early part of the 1900s. The Book of Unknown Americans (Cristina Henriquez) The story takes place in an apartment building in Delaware, home to nine families who arrived in the States from various South and Central American countries, each looking to better the lives of the next generation. In alternating chapters, these men and women share stories of how their adopted country has left its mark on them, for better and worse. Also available in large print, as an eBook, and in Spanish as El Libro de los Americanos Desconocidos. Collected Fictions (Jorge Luis Borges) Acclaimed as one of the greatest Spanish‐language authors of this century, all of Jorge Luis Borges’s dazzling fictions are gathered into a single volume. From his 1935 debut with The Universal History of Iniquity, through his immensely influential collections “Ficciones” and “The Aleph,” these enigmatic, elaborate, imaginative inventions display Borges' talent for turning fiction on its head by playing with form and genre and toying with language. The House of the Spirits (Isabel Allende) In one of the most important and beloved Latin American works of the twentieth century, Isabel Allende weaves a luminous tapestry of three generations of the Trueba family, revealing both triumphs and tragedies The House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros) Acclaimed by critics, beloved by readers of all ages, taught everywhere from inner‐city grade schools to universities across the country, and translated all over the world, The House on Mango Street is the remarkable story of Esperanza Cordero. Told in a series of vignettes, it is the story of a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, inventing for herself who and what she will become. The Ladies of Managua (Eleni N. Gage) "Revolutionaries make bad husbands," Maria’s abuela tells her. But what kind of mothers do they make? It's a question that hounds three generations of Vasquez women. Reunited in Nicaragua, they confront the tumultuous history of their country and their family in this vibrant story about radical acts of womanhood. Like Water for Chocolate (Laura Esquivel) This classic love story takes place on the De la Garza ranch, as the owner, Mama Elena, chops onions at the kitchen table in her final days of pregnancy. While still in her mother's womb, her daughter to be weeps so violently she causes an early labor, and little Tita slips out amid the spices and fixings for noodle soup. This early encounter with food soon becomes a way of life. Also available in large print and DVD. One Hundred Years of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez) The rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo comes to life through the history of the Buendia family. Randy Lopez Goes Home (Rudolfo Anaya) From the author of the classic Bless Me, Ultima, Anaya’s newest work is both allegorical, touching and witty. Randy Lopez as he returns to his hometown of Aqua Bendita where he begins a spiritual journey after a chance meeting of a series of spirits. 2
This is How You Lose Her (Junot Diaz) On a beach in the Dominican Republic, a doomed relationship flounders. In the heat of a hospital laundry room in New Jersey, a woman does her lover’s washing and thinks about his wife. In Boston, a man buys his love child a first baseball bat and glove. At the heart of these stories is the irrepressible, irresistible Yunior, a young hardhead whose longing for love is equaled only by his recklessness‐‐and by the extraordinary women he loves and loses. The stories in the New York Times‐
Bestselling This Is How You Lose Her lay bare the infinite longing and inevitable weakness of the human heart. They remind us that passion always triumphs over experience, and that “the half‐
life of love is forever.” Also available in large print and audiobook format. NONFICTION The following list is selected nonfiction by award winning authors, recent best sellers, titles that are acclaimed, or titles that provide important insight to the history of Hispanic heritage and culture. The Crusades of Cesar Chavez: A Biography (Miriam Pawel) Cesar Chavez founded a labor union, launched a movement, and inspired a generation. He rose from migrant worker to national icon, becoming one of the great charismatic leaders of the 20th century. Two decades after his death, Chavez remains the most significant Latino leader in U.S. history. Yet his life story has been told only in hagiography, until now. A Cup of Water Under My Bed: A Memoir
(Daisy Hernández) In this lyrical, coming‐of‐age memoir, Daisy Hernández chronicles what the women in her Cuban‐Colombian family taught her about love, money, and race. A heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and language. Enrique's Journey: The True Story of a Boy Determined to Reunite With His Mother (Sonia Nazario) Documents the journey of a Honduran teen who braved hardship and peril to reunite with his mother after she was forced to leave him behind and seek migratory work in the United States. Also available as an eBook and in Spanish as La travesía de Enrique. Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America (Juan González) The first new edition in ten years of this important study of Latinos in U.S. history, Harvest of Empire spans five centuries‐from the first New World colonies to the first decade of the new millennium. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States, and their impact on American popular culture‐from food to entertainment to literature‐is greater than ever. Hit List: The Best of Latino Mystery (Edited by Sarah Cortez) An anthology of short stories by Latino mystery authors that includes a range of mystery genres from noir to the police procedural. 3
Hunting Season: Immigration and Murder in an All‐American Town (Mirta A Ojito). The true story of an immigrant's murder that turned a quaint village on the Long Island shore into ground zero in the war on immigration. This 2014 International Latino Awards Finalist is also available as an eBook. The Latino Generation: Voices of the New America (Mario García) Latinos are already the largest minority group in the United States, and experts estimate that by 2050, one out of three Americans will identify as Latino. Though their population and influence are steadily rising, stereotypes and misconceptions about Latinos remain. By presenting thirteen riveting oral histories of young, first‐generation college students, Mario T. Garcia counters those long‐held stereotypes and expands our understanding of what he terms "the Latino Generation." By allowing these young people to share their stories and struggles, Garcia reveals that these students and children of immigrants will be critical players in the next chapter of our nation's history. Latino Stats: American Hispanics by the Numbers (Idelisse Malavé) Respected movement builder and former leader of the Tides Foundation, Malavé Idelisse distills a profusion of data, identifying the most telling and engaging facts to assemble a portrait of contemporary Latino life with glimpses of the past and future. From politics and the economy to popular culture, the arts, and ideas about race, gender, and family, Latino Stats both catalogs the inequities that plague Latino communities and documents Latinos’ growing power and influence on American life. Molina: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty (Bengie Molina) Written with the emotional power of sports classics such as Field of Dreams and Friday Night Lights, Molina is a love story between a formidable but flawed father and a son who, in unearthing answers about his father's life, comes to understand his own. Also available as an eBook and in Spanish as Molina: La Historia del Padre que Crió una Improbable Dinastía del Béisbol. My Beloved World (Sonia Sotomayor) The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting Justice, she recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself also available as an eBook, eAudiobook, and in Spanish as Mi Mundo Adorado. Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States (Felipe Fernández‐Armesto) Maps the influence of America's Hispanic past, from the explorers and conquistadors who helped colonize Puerto Rico and Florida, to the missionaries and rancheros who settled in California and the 20th‐century resurgence in major cities like Chicago and Miami. 4
Rita Moreno: A Memoir (Rita Moreno) In this luminous memoir, Rita Moreno shares her remarkable journey from impoverished Puerto Rican girl to Hollywood legend‐‐and one of the few performers, and the only Hispanic, to win an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and two Emmys. Still Dreaming: My Journey from the Barrio to Capitol Hill (Luis V Gutierrez) The 11‐term Congressman recounts his life between two worlds: too Puerto Rican in America, where he was born and yet was told to 'go back to where you came from'; too American in Puerto Rico, where he was ridiculed as a 'gringo' who couldn't speak Spanish. JUVENILE FICTION The following selected fiction is to educate young people about Hispanic heritage and culture through contemporary and historical fiction novels by award winning authors, recent best sellers, novels that are acclaimed, or titles that provide important insight to the history of the Hispanic heritage and culture. Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin (Duncan Tonatiuh) From first‐time Mexican author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh, comes the story of two cousins, one in America and one in Mexico, and how their daily lives are different yet similar. Spanish words are scattered among the English text, providing a wonderful way to introduce the language and culture of Mexico to young children. Inspired by the ancient art of the Mixtecs and other cultures of Mexico, Tonatiuh incorporates their stylized forms into his own artwork. The Dreamer (Pam Munoz Ryan) Much to his father's disappointment, Neftali is not like other children. Frail and shy, he spends most of his time alone: collecting treasures, reading, writing, and daydreaming. While his father plans to build him into a doctor, Neftali has other longings stirring inside him. The natural world in his native Chile and the painful injustices he witnesses there move him equally. How Neftali reconciles his own dreams with his father's is at the heart of this inspiring, radiant, and profoundly moving story of self‐discovery. Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music (Margarita Engle) Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese‐
African‐Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells an inspiring true story for dreamers everywhere. 5
Finding the Music (Jennifer Torres) When Reyna accidentally breaks Abuelito’s vihuela (a small guitar‐
like instrument) she ventures out into the neighborhood determined to find someone who can help her repair it. Along the way, Reyna gathers stories and mementos of Abuelito and his music. Finding the Music is a heartwarming tale of family, community, and the music that brings them all together. Gaby Lost and Found (Angela Cervantes) Gaby loves volunteering at the local animal shelter. She plays with the kittens, helps train the dogs, and writes adoption advertisements so that the strays can find their forever homes. Gaby has been feeling like a bit of a stray herself, lately. Her mother has recently been deported to Honduras and Gaby is stuck living with her dad. She's confident that her mom will soon come home so that they can adopt Gaby's favorite shelter cat together. When the cat's original owners turn up at the shelter, however, Gaby's plans for the perfect family seem to fall apart. But she's determined not to let go of her dream so easily. A Handful of Stars (Cynthia Lord) When Lily's dog slips his collar and runs away, 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 meeting, Salma and Lily bond and Salma's friendship transforms Lily's summer. But when Salma decides to run in the Blueberry Queen pageant, they'll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Set amongst the blueberry barrens and by the sea, this is a gorgeous new novel by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord that tackles themes of prejudice and friendship, loss and love. Also available as an eBook. I Lived on Butterfly Hill (Marjorie Agosin) Celeste Marconi is a dreamer. She lives peacefully among friends and neighbors and family in the idyllic town of Valparaiso, Chile—until one day when warships are spotted in the harbor and schoolmates start disappearing from class without a word. Celeste doesn’t quite know what is happening, but one thing is clear: no one is safe, not anymore. Also available as eBook. The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano (Sonia Manzano) There are two secrets Evelyn Serrano is keeping. Her true feelings about growing up in her Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and her attitude about Abuela. Then events erupt that change everything. A Puerto Rican activist group, ignites a powerful protest and Abuela steps in to take charge. Evelyn is thrust into the action and learns important truths about her Latino heritage and the history makers who shaped a nation. Infused with actual news accounts from the time period, Sonia Manzano has crafted a gripping work of fiction based on her own life growing up during a fiery, unforgettable time in America, when young Latinos took control of their destinies. 6
Secrets in the Hills: A Josefina Mystery (American Girl Beforever Mysteries) (Kathleen Ernst) Josefina has heard tales and legends all her life, told around the fire on long, dark evenings. There are tantalizing rumors of gold and silver treasure buried in the New Mexico hills, and stories of La Llorona, a ghostly Weeping Woman who haunts the countryside, searching for her lost children. But Josefina has never imagined that such tales might be true...until the day a mysterious stranger arrives at her rancho. Could all these stories lead to the discovery of a long‐lost treasure or a terrifying omen? Additional American Girl Josefina titles available. 'Twas Nochebuena (Roseanne Thong) It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re invited to a Nochebuena celebration! Follow a family as they prepare to host a night filled with laughter, love, and Latino tradition What Can You Do with a Paleta? (Carmen Tafolla) As she strolls through her barrio, a young girl introduces readers to the frozen, fruit‐flavored treat that thrills Mexican and Mexican‐American children. In this bilingual paperback edition, discover the joys of a paleta‐the traditional Mexican popsicle treat sold from the wagon with the tinkly bell that brings children running from every direction. 7
JUVENILE NONFICTION The following list of selected nonfiction is to educate young people about Hispanic Heritage and culture by award winning authors, recent best sellers, or titles that provide important insight to the history of the Hispanic heritage and culture. The Legend of Ponciano Gutiérrez and the Mountain Thieves (Casimiro Paiz) Recounts Ponciano's run‐in with Vicente Silva and his bandits, who history confirms murdered, stole, and rustled cattle throughout the 1880s. It's the story of a farmer outwitting Silva in a folktale that shapes our understanding of the cultures of northern New Mexico. Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes (Juan Herrera) This visually stunning book showcases twenty Hispanic and Latino American men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, politics, science, humanitarianism, and athletics. Gorgeous portraits complement sparkling biographies of Cesar Chavez, Sonia Sotomayor, Ellen Ochoa, Roberto Clemente, and many more. Complete with timelines and famous quotes, this tome is a magnificent homage to those who have shaped our nation. Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx (Jonah Winter) The inspiring and timely story of Sonia Sotomayor, who rose up from a childhood of poverty and prejudice to become the first Latino to be nominated to the US Supreme Court. Viva Frida (Yuyi Morales) Frida Kahlo, one of the world's most famous and unusual artists is revered around the world. Her life was filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases. Distinguished author/illustrator Yuyi Morales illuminates Frida's life and work in this elegant and fascinating book. Who was Roberto Clemente? (James Buckley, Jr.) Growing up the youngest of seven children in Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente had a talent for baseball. His incredible skill soon got him drafted into the big leagues where he spent 18 seasons playing right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Who Was Roberto Clemente? tells the story of this remarkable athlete: a twelve‐time All‐Star, World Series MVP, and the first Latin American inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. YOUNG ADULT FICTION The following selected fiction is to educate young people about Hispanic history and culture through contemporary and historical fiction novels by award winning authors, recent best sellers, novels that are acclaimed, or titles that provide important insight to the history of the Hispanic heritage and culture. Gabi, A Girl In Pieces (Isabel Quintero) Gabi Hernandez chronicles her last year in high school in her diary: college applications, Cindy's pregnancy, Sebastian's coming out, the cute boys, her father's meth habit, and the food she craves. And best of all, the poetry that helps forge her identity. The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba’s Greatest Abolitionist (Margarita Engle) Opposing slavery in Cuba in the nineteenth century was dangerous. The most daring abolitionists were poets who veiled their work in metaphor. Of these, the boldest was Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda, nicknamed Tula. In passionate, accessible verses of her own, Engle evokes the voice of this feminist and abolitionist who bravely resisted an arranged marriage at the age of fourteen, and was ultimately courageous enough to fight against injustice. Historical notes, excerpts, and source notes round out this exceptional tribute and Pura Belpré Award winner. 8
The Living (Matt de la Peña) After an earthquake destroys California and a tsunami wrecks the luxury cruise ship where he is a summer employee, high schooler Shy confronts another deadly surprise. This action‐packed Pura Belpré Author Honor Award Winner is also available as an eBook. The Tequila Worm (Viola Canales) Sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions: making Easter cascarones, celebrating el Dia de los Muertos, preparing for quincea–era, rejoicing in the Christmas nacimiento, and curing homesickness by eating the tequila worm. When Sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to an elite boarding school, she longs to explore life beyond the barrio, even though it means leaving her family to navigate a strange world of rich, privileged kids. It's a different mundo, but one where Sofia's traditions take on new meaning and illuminate her path. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass (Meg Medina) A Latina teen is targeted by a bully at her new school ‐‐ and must discover resources she never knew she had. Winner of the 2014 Pura Belpré Author Award. Also available as an eBook. YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION The following list of selected nonfiction is to educate young people about Hispanic history and culture by award winning authors, recent best sellers, or titles that provide important insight to Hispanic heritage and culture. Diego Rivera: An Artist for the People (Susan Goldman Rubin) Diego Rivera offers young readers unique insight into the life and artwork of the famous Mexican painter and muralist. The book follows Rivera's career, looking at his influences and tracing the evolution of his style. His work often called attention to the culture and struggles of the Mexican working class. Believing that art should be for the people, he created public murals in both the United States and Mexico. The book contains a list of museums where you can see Rivera's art, a historical note, a glossary, and a bibliography. Extraordinary Hispanic Americans (Cèsar Alegre) Includes 200 short biographies of prominent Hispanic Americans including figures throughout history, political and sports figures, and those in entertainment. A Fire in My Hands (Gary Soto) In direct and vivid poems, Gary Soto draws from his own youth in California's Central Valley to portray the joys and sorrows of young people. His writing focuses on Latino characters, yet speaks to readers of all ethnicities 9
Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States (Lori Carlson) The poets collected here illuminate the difficulty of straddling cultures, languages, and identities. They celebrate food, family, love, and triumph. In English, Spanish, and poetic mixtures of both, they tell us who they are, where they are, and what their hopes are for the future. DVD The following selected films are to provide important insight to Hispanic heritage and culture through fictional accounts or documentaries. Bless Me, Ultima (PG‐13) New Mexico in the time of WWII, a young man goes to an aged medicine woman and forms a relationship which helps him challenge the fight amid the good and the evil that storms through his village. Also available in Trade Paperback and Audiobook format. Book of Life (Rated PG) In the Mexican town of San Angel, Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoë Saldana) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) have been friends ever since childhood. Although their lives have taken different paths ‐‐ Maria was sent to Europe, Joaquin joined the military, and Manolo studied to become a bullfighter ‐‐ one thing remains the same: Manolo and Joaquin both want to marry Maria. Little does the trio know that battling husband‐and‐wife deities have made a high‐stakes wager on the love triangle's outcome. Cantinflas (Rated PG‐13) The true story of Mexico's most famous comedy film star, known in this country mostly for the film "Around the Word in 80 Days" (1956), in which he starred as Passepartout, Phileas Fogg's right‐hand man and the movie's comic relief. "Cantinflas" focuses on the period in his life when Broadway producer Mike Todd (Michael Imperioli) decides to make his Hollywood debut with a big‐budget, all‐star production of the Jules Verne novel. How the Garcia Girls Spent their Summer (Rated R) In the summer heat of a small Arizona border town, sparks fly for three generations of women. Seventeen‐year‐old Blanca discovers romance for the first time with the new bad boy in town. Lolita, her mother, had hit a dry spell until the husband of one of her customer’s husband pays her a visit. Blanca’s grandmother, Doña Genoveva enlists her gardener Don Pedro to give her driving lessons and learns about more than cars in the process. 10
Latino Americans: The 500‐Year Legacy that Shaped a Nation Sharing the personal struggles and successes of immigrants, poets, soldiers, and many others, this companion to the PBS miniseries explores the lives of Latino American men and women over a 500‐year‐span who has made an impact on history. Also available in book format. Love in the Time of Cholera (Rated R) Based on the bestselling novel by Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, this epic love story spans a lifetime, set against the breathtaking backdrop of South America during the turn of the century. Also available in regular and large print book formats. Maya & Miguel (Juvenile) This series chronicles the adventures of 10‐year‐old Latino twins. Episodes deal with Abuela Elena’s blind date, a destroyed baseball card, Maya’s protection of a boy with only one arm, and the bad luck that ensues when they rearrange their cursed apartment. Primarily in English with some Spanish language exposure La Misma Luna/Under the Same Moon (Rated PG‐13) After the grandmother who is raising him dies, a young Mexican boy risks his life by traveling to the U.S. to find his mother who is working in LA. No (Rated R) The close examination of the 1988 referendum campaign called for by Chile's military dictator Augusto Pinochet provides not only a fascinating peak inside politics, but it also is a true story of how the Chilean people successfully staged a bloodless revolution to free themselves from the power of a dictator. This Academy Award nominee uses substantial bits of archival film footage that enhance the impact of this moment in history. Sin Nombre (Rated R) Honduran teenager Sayra reunites with her father, an opportunity for her to potentially realize her dream of a life in the U.S. Moving to Mexico is the first step in a fateful journey of unexpected events. 11
DATABASES Databases are subscription resources that contain reliable, timely, and authoritative online sources of information. Links to these are found on the Library’s website at www.norfolkpubliclibrary.org/Research. Use your Norfolk Public Library card number for access to these resources: Encyclopedia of World Biography A multicultural biographical electronic book that covers notable individuals from every part of the world and from all time periods who have made significant contributions to human culture. World Book Online Containing every article from the 22‐volumn printed set plus thousands more, this database has multimedia maps, videos, and articles including contributions of Hispanic Americans to world history. WEBSITES The following is a selected list of websites that provide an overview of Hispanic Americans history and culture. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute www.chci.org A resource devoted to developing the next generation of Latino leaders. A great site for both parents and students Hispanic Heritage Foundation www.hispanicheritage.org Identifies, inspires, promotes, and prepares Latino leaders through national leadership, cultural, educational, and workforce programs. National Historical Heritage Month http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov The official home of Hispanic Heritage Month hosted by the Library of Congress in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution, The U.S. National Archives, and other government agencies. U.S. Army: Hispanic Americans in the U.S. Army www.army.mil/hispanicamericans Resources on Hispanic Americans who have served in the U.S. Army. U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/population/hispanic/ Provides social, economic, and profile reports from census data, plus links to Hispanic Heritage Month facts. 12