Wendy Woodfill, the Juvenile section librarian from Hennipen County Library, highly recommends these books with Latino characters and themes.

Tómas and the Library Lady
written by Pat Mora

While helping his family in their work as migrant laborers far from their home, Tomas--spurred by his grandfather--finds an entire world to explore in the books at the local public library.  Ages 3 to 8 . 

I Love Saturdays y domingos
written by Alda Flor Ada
Illustrated by Elivia Savadier

A young girl enjoys the similarities and the differences between her English-speaking and Spanish-speaking grandparents.  Ages 3 to 8 .

Elena's Serenade
written by Campbell Geeslin
Illustrate by Ana Juan

In Mexico , a little girl disguised as a boy, sets out for Monterrey determined to master the art of glassblowing, and in the process, experiences self-discovery along the way. Ages 5 to 8 .

How Tía Lola Came to visit Stay 
written by Julia Alvarez

Although ten-year-old Miguel is at first embarrassed by his colorful aunt, Tia Lola, when she comes to Vermont from the Dominican Republic to stay with his mother, his sister, and him after his parents' divorce, he learns to love her. Ages 8 to 12 .

Esperanza Rising
written by Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California , where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression. Ages 8 to 12 .

The Skirt
written by Gary Soto
illustrated by Eric Velasquez

When Miata leaves the skirt that she is to wear in a dance performanace on the school bus, she needs all her wits to get it back without her parents' finding out that she has lost something yet again. Ages 7 to 10 .

The Circuit
written by Francisco Jimenez

A realistic portrayal of the lives of migrant workers, based on the author's own experiences, movingly chronicles a family's perseverance in the face of extreme hardship. Ages 10 to 14.

Cubanita
written by Gaby Triana

Seventeen-year-old Isabel, eager to leave Miami to attend the University of Michigan and escape her overprotective Cuban mother, learns some truths about her family's past and makes important decisions about the type of person she wants to be.  Ages 14 and up.

Romiette and Julio
written by Sharon M. Draper

An Afro-American girl and a Latino boy fall in love after meeting on the Internet, but they are harrassed by a gang who objects to their interracial dating. Ages 14 and up

Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood
written by Benjamin Alire Saenz

As a Chicano boy living in the unglamorous town of Hollywood , New Mexico , and a member of the graduating class of 1969, Sammy Santos faces the challenges of "gringo" racism, unpopular dress codes, the Vietnam War, barrio violence, and poverty. Ages 15 and up.