Books with Latino Characters

From fun and fanciful picture books to historical fiction, fantasy, biography, romance, science fiction, and coming-of-age tales, these books show Latino and Latina characters in various national and cultural contexts. They're great reads during Hispanic Heritage Month and any time of year. For more Latino stories, you can also check out our Bilingual Books list and our Spanish-language content on Common Sense Latino.

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Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border Poster Image
BOOK

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

age 3+

Heartwarming Christmas story set at the U.S.-Mexico border.

By: Mitali Perkins (2019)
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music Poster Image
BOOK

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music

age 3+

Gorgeous, magical story of a girl with music in her heart.

By: Margarita Engle (2015)
Book cover: Latina girl blows out candles at birthday party
BOOK

El cumpleaños de mi hermana Dulce/ My Sister Dulce's Birthday

age 3+

Sweet birthday tale shows Mexican traditions, piñata.

By: Erika Said (2022)
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost Poster Image
BOOK

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost: The World of Gustavo, Book 1

age 3+

A ghostly sweet tale of courage and friendship.

By: Flavia Z. Drago (2020)
Nosotros Means Us: A Bilingual Story Poster Image
BOOK

Nosotros Means Us: A Bilingual Story

age 3+

A heartfelt ode to the bond between mother and child.

By: Paloma Valdivia (2021)
Cartoonish skeleton girl on a swing with ghosts
BOOK

Skeletina and the In-Between World

age 3+

Kind story of dealing with worries has great illustrations.

By: Susie Jaramillo (2022)
All the Way to Havana Poster Image
BOOK

All the Way to Havana

age 4+

Celebration of Cuban family and ingenuity has gorgeous art.

By: Margarita Engle (2017)
Galapagos Girl / Galapagueña Poster Image
BOOK

Galapagos Girl / Galapagueña

age 4+

Colorful bilingual book about the Galápagos Islands.

By: Marsha Diane Arnold (2018)
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You Poster Image
BOOK

Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You

age 4+

Gorgeous, upbeat book about strength in our differences.

By: Sonia Sotomayor (2019)
Just Help! How to Build a Better World Poster Image
BOOK

Just Help! How to Build a Better World

age 4+

Inspiring portrait of service urges kids to give back.

By: Sonia Sotomayor (2022)
Little Skeletons / Esqueletitos: Countdown to Midnight Poster Image
BOOK

Little Skeletons / Esqueletitos: Countdown to Midnight

age 4+

Fun, rhythmic, bilingual Day of the Dead romp.

By: Susie Jaramillo (2018)
Mamá the Alien/Mamá la Extraterrestre Poster Image
BOOK

Mamá the Alien/Mamá la Extraterrestre

age 4+

A fun, bilingual take on being a documented immigrant.

My Abuelita Poster Image
BOOK

My Abuelita

age 4+

Robust artwork with a Latino touch celebrates storytelling.

By: Tony Johnston (2009)
My Two Border Towns Poster Image
BOOK

My Two Border Towns

age 4+

Beautiful, timely tale of life and hope along the border.

By: David Bowles (2021)
Niño Wrestles the World Poster Image
BOOK

Niño Wrestles the World

age 4+

Boy plays Mexican wrestler in exuberant bilingual tale.

By: Yuyi Morales (2014)
Octopus Stew Poster Image
BOOK

Octopus Stew

age 4+

Octopus adventure celebrates imagination, Latino culture.

By: Eric Velásquez (2019)
Paletero Man Poster Image
BOOK

Paletero Man

age 4+

Refreshing tale celebrates Chicano culture and community.

By: Lucky Diaz (2021)
A Latina abuela snuggles her two granddaughters at a table full of platanos.
BOOK

Plátanos Are Love

age 4+

Delightful tale of Latina family connecting through food.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré Poster Image
BOOK

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

age 4+

Lively bio of New York's first Puerto Rican librarian.

Poco Loco Poster Image
BOOK

Poco Loco

age 4+

Zany mouse inventor tale spiced with Spanish.

By: J.R. Krause , Maria Chua (2013)