Game of Freedom: Mestre Bimba and the Art of Capoeira by Duncan Tonatiuh

Game of Freedom: Mestre Bimba and the Art of Capoeira by Duncan Tonatiuh is a beautiful picture book that tells the story of a sport and the man who really made it popular. The illustrations are a tribute to the culture of the illustrator. This is a book to add to any school level library, including high school. It's a good read with solid information and amazing graphics.

Día de Muertos: Números: A Day of the Dead Counting Book by Duncan Tonatiuh

Día de Muertos: Números: A Day of the Dead Counting Book by Duncan Tonatiuh is a beautiful picture book to add to all libraries. It is a good read aloud to young people or to add in a lesson. Add this to your school library.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

Wow! Great story. I listened to the audiobook from the public library. The of stories to change direction. A great story. Look out Hunger Games Here comes The Last Cuentista. Great story Enjoy.

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez

 It's a good read.  This story reflects what is going on in the U. S.  I would say add this to your high school library.  A touching story.  

Dreams from Many Rivers by Margarita Engle

 Margarita Engle does it again!  Add this one to your library.  Told in poetry, the story of so many peoples over hundreds of years.  Latino people who were treated unfairly, taken advantage of and discriminated.  How actions can affect so many.  It's a good read.

In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

 The world has been filled with dictators over the years and, currently we have two dangerous ones.  Maybe three.  This is a time from 1960s.  This is a time when sisters dared to stop a dictator.  This is a time when they gave their people hope.  This is a time when they paid the deadly price of choosing to do what they did.  This is the time to read their story.

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

A lovely book about the importance of names.  Alma has lots of names and her father explains how she got each of her names.  The images are sweet, simple and sophisticated.  Enjoy.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

OMG, this is one great crazy Gothic story. Paranormal and creepy.  Definitely adult.  Well crafted.  Reminds me of House of Usher by Poe meets Stephen King.  It's a good read if you like horror.  Not what I expected.  Audio book a good listen.

Mango, Abuela, and Me by Medina & Dominguez

Great book to talk about how families are connected, culture and language.  Enjoy.

My Year In The Middle by Lila Quintero Weaver

  I loved this book.  Turns out the author used her life experiences to create this story.  I was 5 years old in the 1970s when this story takes place and there is a lot that came back to me when I read this story.  Of course I lived in California and watched in the news.  This story works well for looking at history of the 1970s in the US.  A good read.  Enjoy.

Afterlife by Julia Alvarez

Sisters band together to help a sister with some mental health issues.  The sister does end up committing suicide.  It's a story about family and grief and so much more. It's a good read.

Once Upon A Quinceanera by Julia Alvarez

Julia Alavarez did a study on the rite of passage of Hispanic girls turning 15 and how it has evolved over the years and traveled around different countries.  It's a great study and incorporates women of all ages.  The book reads easily and is also reflective of the author's life as well.  It's an important read.  Add this to your reading list.

Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

This is a metaphysical story.  It's good but I think it wouldn't fit my high school.  I'm glad the public library carries this book. 

Vamos! Let's Go To The Market by Raul the Third

I liked this book.  It's a picture book and is using both Spanish and English.  I can see this in the classroom. 

Dancing Hands by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez

A lovely book highlighting a very special moment in history.  A little girl who had the gift of music making a lovely connection with President Lincoln.  Add this one to your library.  Enjoy.  Plus beautiful images.

The Cholo Tree by Daniel Chacon

This is literature.  It's been written beautifully.  There is content that makes it hard to read but it brings to life Victor's world.  There is some gang fighting and drugs, which is part of Victor's life. It is set in Fresno, so if you are from Fresno, you'll recognize City College, Fresno State, Woodward Park and other places.  Victor has the soul of an artist.  He can draw.  He has an amazing teacher who encourages his art work.  Victor has lots of challenges in life.  It is a good read.  I liked the book and it reminded me of students I have had in the past.  I believe it is an important read.

Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

Based on the true story of a family making a positive change, this picture book captures what we all should learn about.  The images are beautiful.  A 1940's feel but with echoes of an ancient Aztec style depiction of people.  Also using photos of texture incorporated into the illustrations give the story an interesting feel.  This book is a must for all libraries.

Accidental Love by Gary Soto

Gary Soto writes about Fresno in a way teens can connect.  Bringing in Hispanic culture and teen life to make it relevant to real life.  It's a good read.

Baseball in April by Gary Soto

This should be in every high school library.  I think I have it on my but now I'm going to double check.  It's a good read.  Enjoy these short stories.

90 Miles to havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis

This is perfect for any middle and high school library.  It's well crafted.  Not only does it give us insight into history but also handling bullies.  It's a good book.