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Latino Books Month • RI, initiated by RI Latino Arts and now in its third year in Rhode Island, promotes books by and for Latinos. This month-long celebration is sponsored by the Association of American Publishers (AAP), which encourages librarians, teachers and booksellers to promote books written by and for Latinos and it encourages communities to read Latino books in both English and Spanish.

Discover a new author or re-read a favorite book this month to celebrate Latino authors and the fiction, poetry, drama, autobiography, art that they create! By launching Latino Books Month in Rhode Island, it is RILA’s encourages Latino young people to aspire to become authors, writers and to unleash their creative spirit in words on paper. We also wish to highlight bilingual literature in all its shapes and forms.

For information about RI Latino Books Month, contact Marta V. Martinez via the "Contact Us" tab at the top of this page.
★ Here’s How You Can Participate
Adults: Visit this webpage for a list of recommended titles written by Latino authors and take the 2018 Reading Challenge!

Young Readers: Below are some titles which we would like to recommend for Latino Books Month • RI. Most of the books can be found in Spanish and English at all the libraries in and around the State of Rhode Island. If your library does not have the book on its shelves, ask your librarian to order a copy from one of the other libraries in Rhode Island. By providing books in English and Spanish on this list, our goal is to encourage parents to read to their children in their native language, so be sure to ask your mamá or papá to read with you every day!

If you have any advice for other readers, you may post comments at the bottom of the list after you've read the book.

RI LATINO BOOKS MONTH/RI AWARD • Young Readers
Read at least three (3) books from the titles you see below, then vote for your favorite. Voting will take place at participating schools and libraries and the winning title will be announced on May 31, 2018 on this website. We will also post the winners in the Children's Room at The Pawtucket Public Library, 3 Summer St. Pawtucket, RI 02860.

NEW: Vote Online - We have added an option to submit your favorite book online. But we will not activate it until later in 2018 as we encourage students to visit their local libraries, talk to their children’s librarian and drop off ballots.

Before you vote online, we recommend that you download a hard copy of the ballot to have on hand while you read each book. Remember, deadline to vote online is Wednesday, May 31, 2018.

Libraries and Schools: Participating libraries and schools will receive a poster (size: 11x17) that shows all the book titles to distribute to young readers. If your local library or school is not participating, contact Maria Cotto at the Pawtucket Public Library: (401) 725-3714 x 209 or mcotto@pawtucketlibrary.org

Happy Reading!

ANNOUNCING: The 2018 Latino Books Month Nominees
Grades K-2

1. Mama the Alien | Mama la Extraterrestre by René Laínez Colato

2. The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! | ¡El gallo que no se callaba! by Carmen Agra Deedy

3. Lucia the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza

4. All The Way to Havana by Margarita Engle

5. Olinguito, From A to Z! Unveiling the Cloud Forest | ¡Olinguito, de La A a la Z! Descubriendo el Bosque Nublado by Lulu Delacre
Grades 3-5

1. Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle

2. Nothing Up My Sleeve by Diana López

3. Ugly Cat & Pablo by Isabel Quintero
Grades 6-8

1. Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School by Kimberly Baker

2. The Epic Fall of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya

3. The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez

4. Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
High School

1. History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

2. Shame the Stars by Guadalupe García McCall

3. Illegal by Bettina Restrepo
2017 Winners
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Grades K-2
The Princess and The Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh
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Grades 6-8
How Tía Lola Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez
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Grades 3-5
The Only Road by Alexandra Díaz
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Teens: Tie
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
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Teens: Tie
The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork
Participating Public Libraries:
◆ Knight Memorial Library (Providence Community Library)
◆ Pawtucket Public Library
Participating School Libraries
◆ West Kingston Elementary School (South Kingston, RI)
2017 Book List
Grades K-2
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Maybe Something Beautiful by Isabel F. Campoy
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How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo se Dice?
by Angela Domínguez
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Juana and Lucas
by Juana Medina
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Rudas: Niños Horrendous Hermanitas
by Yuyi Morales
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The Princess and The Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh
Grades 3-5
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Lola Levine Is Not Mean by Monica Brown
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The Only Road by Alexandra Díaz
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Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres
Grades 6-8
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How Tía Lola Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez
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Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan F. Herrera
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Under The Mesquite by Guadalupe G. McCall
Teens (High School)
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Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
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Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina
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The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin A. Sáenz
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The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork

DEADLINE to submit your vote is May 25, 2017!

2016 Winners
Participating Public
Libraries:
◆ Newport Public Library
◆ Woonsocket Harris Public Library
◆ East Smithfield Public Library
◆ Warwick Public Library
◆ Mount Pleasant Library (Providence Community Library)
◆ Smith Hill Library (Providence Community Library)
◆ Knight Memorial Library (Providence Community Library)
◆ Rochambeau Library (Providence Community Library)
◆ Cranston Public Library (Central Library)
◆ Pawtucket Public Library

Organizations:
◆ Federal Hill House
Participating School Libraries & Organizations:
◆ West Kingston Elementary School (South Kingston)
◆ Curvin McCabe Elementary School (Pawtucket)
◆ Agnes Little Elementary School (Pawtucket)
◆ Peacedale Elementary School (Peacedale)
◆ Wakefield Elementary School (Wakefield)
◆ Sophia Academy Middle School (Providence)
◆ French-American School of Rhode Island (Providence)
◆ International Charter School (Pawtucket)
◆ Kent Heights Elementary School (East Providence)

THANK YOU to the Rhode Island Teen Book Award (RITBA) Committee for donating $40 for the cake and drinks for the closing reception. And to the Episcopal Charities Foundation, Coastway Community Bank and Navigant Credit Union for providing funds so we can give free books to local school children.
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Grades K-2
Dalia’s Wondrous Hair by Lara Lacámara
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Grades 3-5
Growing Up Pedro by Matt Tavares
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Grades 6-8
I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
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Teens
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
2016 Book List
Grades K-2
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Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
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Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
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Dalia’s Wonderous Hair by Laura Lacamara
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Mango, Abuela & Me by Meg Medina
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The Old Man & His Door by Gary Soto
Grades 3-5
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Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
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Luz Makes a Splash by Claudia Davila
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Growing Up Pedro by Matt Tavares
Grades 6-8
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Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
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I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
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The Smell of Old Lady Perfume by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez
Teens (High School)
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Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older
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Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
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The Hunted by Matt de la Peña

DEADLINE to vote online is May 31, 2016!

2015 Winners
Participating Public
Libraries:

Catherine Gould, Head of Children's Services
Newport Public Library

Chris Wallace Goldstein , Children's Librarian
Woonsocket Harris Public Library


Carol Decosier
East Smithfield Public Library

Ellen E. O'Brien, Coordinator of Children's Services
Warwick Public Library

Emily Mehrer, Youth Services Librarian
Mount Pleasant Community Library



Jennifer Romans
Smith Hill Community Library

Allison Riendeau, Youth Services Librarian
Knight Memorial Community Library

Judanne Hamidzada
Rochambeau Community Library

Sarah Gluck, MSLIS, Library Manager
Olneyville Community Library

Tien Tran, Library Manager
South Providence Community Library

Stefanie Blankenship
Cranston Public Library
Oaklawn Branch


Diana Ferguson
Central Falls Public Library
Adams Memorial Library


Participating School/Agency Libraries:

Sandra Blackman
Federal Hill House

Deanna Brooks, MLIS, Teacher Librarian
Kent Heights Elementary School

Theresa Quigley, School Librarian
Sophia Academy

Julia Johnston, School Librarian
French-American School of Rhode Island

The International Charter School
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Grades K-2
The Bossy Gallito by Lucía M. González
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Grades 3-5 (Tie)
My Diary From Here to There by Amada Irma Pérez
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Grades 3-5 (Tie)
Love Amalia
by Alma Flor Ada
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Grades 6-9
Confetti Girl by Diana López
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Teens
I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña
2015 Book List
Grades K-2
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Maria Had a Little Llama by Angela Domínguez
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Book Fiesta! by Pat Mora
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Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales
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Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale by Duncan Tonatiuh
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Tito Puente: Mambo King by Monica Brown
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The Bossy Gallito by Lucía M. González
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The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos
Grades 3-5
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My Diary From Here to There by Amada Irma Pérez
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Love Amalia by Alma Flor Ada
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A Crazy Mixed-Up Spanglish Day by Marisa Montes
Grades 6-8
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Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
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City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende
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Confetti Girl by Diana López
Teens (High School)
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Efrain's Secret by Sofia Quintero
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I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña
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The Lightning Dreamer by Margarita Engle
2014 Winners
Participating Public Libraries:

Central Falls (Adams Memorial)
Newport Public Library
Pawtucket Public Library
Warwick Public Library
Woonsocket Public Library

Participating School Library:

The Sophia Academy, Providence
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GRADE 3 • TIE

René has two last names • René Tiene Dos Apellidos by Rene Colato Lainez
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GRADE 3 • TIE

Mediopollito/ Half-Chicken : A New Version of a Traditional Story by Alma Flor Ada
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GRADES 6-8

Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes
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La Casa en Mango Street escrito por Sandra Cisneros
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HIGH SCHOOL

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Rhode Island Latino Reads • 2013
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As a community organization long recognized for developing projects of cultural and educational importance to the local Latin American community, RILA launched a “RI Latinos Read” community reading program in 2013, and selected Bless Me, Última by Pulizer Prize winner Rudolfo Anaya.

Bless Me, Última is Anaya's best known work and was awarded the prestigious Premio Quinto Sol in 1976. In 2008, it was one of 12 classic American novels selected for The Big Read, a community-reading program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, and in 2009, it was in the list of the United States Academic Decathlon.

The book also became the focus of our Summer Reading Challenge, where the Providence Community Libraries and the Club de Lectura, coordinated by Carolina Briones, participated.

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