For information about Rhode Island Latino Arts, contact Marta V. Martínez, RILA'S Executive Director, at marta@rilatinoarts.org.
For general queries, you can also use the "Contact Us" tab on the side of this page.
- ★ Click here to learn how you can participate …
- Adults: Visit this webpage for a list of recommended titles written by Latino authors and take the 2020 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 June 1, 2020 on this website. We will also post the winners in the Children's Room at The Pawtucket Public Library, 13 Summer St. Pawtucket, RI 02860.
Vote Online: We have added an option to submit your ballots and vote for your favorite book online. We also encourage students to visit their local libraries, talk to their children’s librarian and drop off paper ballots.
Before you vote online, we recommend that you download a hard copy of the ballot (see button above) to have on-hand while you read each book. Remember, deadline to vote online is Friday, May 29, 2020. We will announce the winner the next day. Teachers: Please submit any paper ballots to Maria Cotto no later than May 29th.
Happy Reading!
SPECIAL THANKS to the 2020 Latino Books Month Selection Committee:
Maria Cotto, Chair & Bilingual Children’s Librarian, Pawtucket Public Library
Martha Boksenbaum, Youth Services Librarian, Cranston Public Library
Melanie DeSantis, Young Adult Librarian | Westerly Library
Brooke Strachan, Head Lower School Librarian, The Wheeler School
Carla Rennick, Youth Services Librarian, Fox Point Community Library
Dalila Torres, Spanish Teacher, Peace Dale Elementary
Joan Wollin, Library Media Specialist, Central Falls
Jane Yedlin, Assistant Profressor (TESOL Program), Rhode Island College2020 Book List
- 2020 Book List
- Grades K-2
Across the Bay
by Carlos Aponte
Where Are You From?
by Yamile S. Mendez
Illustrated by Jamie Kim
Luca’s Bridge/ El Puente de Luca
by Mariana Llanos
Illustrated by Anna Lopez Real
My Papi has a Motorcycle
by Isabel Quintero
Illustrated by Zeke Peña
Octopus Stew
by Eric Velasquez
Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market
by Raul the ThirdGrades 3-5
Sarai Saves the Music
by Monica Brown and Sarai Gonzalez
Dragon Slayer: Folktales
by Jaime Hernandez
Lety Out Loud
by Angel Cervantes
When We Love Someone We Sing to Them
Cuando Amamos Cantamos
by Ernesto Javier Martínez
Red Panda & Moon Bear
by Jarod Roselló
Love, Sugar, Magic: A Dash of Trouble
by Anna MerianoGrades 6-8
The Other Half of Happy
by Rebecca Balcárcel
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish
by Pablo Cartaya
Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows
by Ryan Calejo
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
by Carlos Hernandez
The Moon Within
by Aida Salazar
Silver Meadows Summer
by Emma OtheguyTeens (High School)
Five Midnights
by Ann Dávila Cardinal
We Set the Dark on Fire
by Thelor Kay Mejia
Blanca & Roja
by Anna-Marie McLemore
Barely Missing Everything
by Matt Menendez
The Grief Keeper
by Alexandra Villasante
Undocumented: A Worker’s Fight
by Duncan Tonitiuh
Don’t Date Rosa Santos
by Nina MorenaDEADLINE to submit your online vote is May 29, 2020
Teachers and Librarians: Here is a sample book display for your library, classroom or bookstore.
Libraries and Schools: Participating libraries and schools may request a poster (size: 11x17) that shows all the book titles for you to display — or download your own copy. You can also download flyers, ballots, spine labels, round stickers and bookmarks to distribute to young readers.
If your local library or school is not participating, contact Maria Cotto, Latino Books Month Coordinator and Children’s Librarian at the Pawtucket Public Library: (401) 725-3714 x 209 or mcotto@pawtucketlibrary.org
- 2019 Winners
Grades K-2
Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor
Grades 3-5
SciFu
by Yehudi Mercado
Grades 6-8
Al Capone Throws Me a Curve - A Tale From Alcatraz
by Gennifer Choldenko
Teens/High School
The Poet X
by Elizabeth Acevedo
- 2019 Book List
- Grades K-2
Dreamers
by Yuyi Morales
(September 4, 2018)
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
(January 15, 2019)
La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya (September 2017)
Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor (September 4, 2018)
Imagine by Juan Felipe Herrera (October 2, 2018)
Yo soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to his Daughter by Mark Gonzales (Aug 2017)
Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community by Susan Verde (September 4, 2018)
Grades 3-5
Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez (January 16, 2018)
Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes (Mar 27, 2018)
Sci-Fu by Yehudi Mercado (March 13, 2018)
Flor and Miranda Steal the Show by Jennifer Torres (June 12, 2018)
Ana Maria Reyes
Does Not Live in a Castle
by Hilda E. Burgos (October 2, 2018)
Merci Suárez
Changes Gears
by Meg Medina (September 11, 2018)
Martí’s Song for Freedom
Martí y Sus Versos por La Libertad
by/por Emma Otheguy (July 2017)Grades 6-8
Al Capone Throws
Me a Curve
by Gennifer Choldenko (May 8, 2018)
Dead Weight:
Murder of Camp Bloom
by Terri Blas (April 24, 2018)
Us In Progress: Short Stories
About Young Latinos
by Lulu Delacre (August 2017)
Jazz Owls:
A Novel of the
Zoot Suit Riots
by Margarita Engle
(May 8, 2018)
Tight
by Torrey Maldonado
(September 4, 2018)Teens (High School)
The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary
by Nonieqa Ramos (February 1, 2018)
Anger is a Gift
by Mark Oshiro (May 22, 2018)
Pitch Dark
by Courtney Alameda (February 20, 2018)
The Poet X
by Elizabeth Acevedo
(March 6, 2018)
An Uninterrupted
View of the Sky
by Melanie Crowder
(June 2017)
I Am Not Your Perfect
Mexican Daughter
by Erika L. Sanchez
(October 2017)DEADLINE to submit your online vote is May 31, 2019
- 2018 Winners
Grades K-2
The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! | ¡El gallo que no se callaba! by Carmen Agra Deedy
Grades 3-5
Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics
by Margarita Engle
Grades 6-8
Lucky Broken Girl
by Ruth Behar
Teens/High School
llegal
by Bettina Restrepo
- 2018 Book List
- Grades K-2
Mama the Alien | Mama la Extraterrestre by René Laínez Colato
The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! | ¡El gallo que no se callaba! by Carmen Agra Deedy
Lucia the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza
All The Way to Havana by Margarita Engle
Olinguito, From A to Z! Unveiling the Cloud Forest | ¡Olinguito, de La A a la Z! Descubriendo el Bosque Nublado by Lulu DelacreGrades 3-5
Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle
Nothing Up My Sleeve by Diana López
Ugly Cat & Pablo by Isabel QuinteroGrades 6-8
Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School by Kimberly Baker
The Epic Fall of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth BeharTeens (High School)
History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
Shame the Stars by Guadalupe Garcia McCal
llegal by Bettina RestrepoDEADLINE to submit your online vote is May 31, 2018
- 2017 Winners
Grades K-2
The Princess and The Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuh
Grades 6-8
How Tía Lola Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez
Grades 3-5
The Only Road by Alexandra Díaz
Teens: Tie
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
Teens: Tie
The Memory of Light by Francisco X. StorkParticipating Public Libraries:
◆ Knight Memorial Library (Providence Community Library)
◆ Pawtucket Public LibraryParticipating School Libraries
◆ West Kingston Elementary School (South Kingston, RI)
- 2017 Book List
- Grades K-2
Maybe Something Beautiful by Isabel F. Campoy
How Do You Say? / ¿Cómo se Dice?
by Angela Domínguez
Juana and Lucas
by Juana Medina
Rudas: Niños Horrendous Hermanitas
by Yuyi Morales
The Princess and The Warrior by Duncan TonatiuhGrades 3-5
Lola Levine Is Not Mean by Monica Brown
The Only Road by Alexandra Díaz
Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer TorresGrades 6-8
How Tía Lola Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez
Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes by Juan F. Herrera
Under The Mesquite by Guadalupe G. McCallTeens (High School)
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin A. Sáenz
The Memory of Light by Francisco X. StorkDEADLINE 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 HouseParticipating 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.
Grades K-2
Dalia’s Wondrous Hair by Lara Lacámara
Grades 3-5
Growing Up Pedro by Matt Tavares
Grades 6-8
I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
Teens
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
- 2016 Book List
- Grades K-2
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
Dalia’s Wonderous Hair by Laura Lacamara
Mango, Abuela & Me by Meg Medina
The Old Man & His Door by Gary SotoGrades 3-5
Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
Luz Makes a Splash by Claudia Davila
Growing Up Pedro by Matt TavaresGrades 6-8
Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin
The Smell of Old Lady Perfume by Claudia Guadalupe MartínezTeens (High School)
Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
The Hunted by Matt de la PeñaDEADLINE to vote online is May 31, 2016!
- 2015 Winners
Grades K-2
The Bossy Gallito by Lucía M. González
Grades 3-5 (Tie)
My Diary From Here to There by Amada Irma Pérez
Grades 3-5 (Tie)
Love Amalia
by Alma Flor Ada
Grades 6-9
Confetti Girl by Diana López
Teens
I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña
- 2015 Book List
- Grades K-2
Maria Had a Little Llama by Angela Domínguez
Book Fiesta! by Pat Mora
Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale by Duncan Tonatiuh
Tito Puente: Mambo King by Monica Brown
The Bossy Gallito by Lucía M. González
The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. VamosGrades 3-5
My Diary From Here to There by Amada Irma Pérez
Love Amalia by Alma Flor Ada
A Crazy Mixed-Up Spanglish Day by Marisa MontesGrades 6-8
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende
Confetti Girl by Diana LópezTeens (High School)
Efrain's Secret by Sofia Quintero
I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña
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
GRADE 3 • TIE
René has two last names • René Tiene Dos Apellidos by Rene Colato Lainez
GRADE 3 • TIE
Mediopollito/ Half-Chicken : A New Version of a Traditional Story by Alma Flor Ada
GRADES 6-8
Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes
La Casa en Mango Street escrito por Sandra Cisneros
HIGH SCHOOL
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- Rhode Island Latino Reads • 2013
- 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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