By Lara Neel, Trade Marketing Manager
September is Hispanic Heritage Month and Rosh Hashanah begins on September 29. To help you get ready for either (or both!) of those, here’s a list of books you may want to consider for displays, featured reads, or anything else!
Hispanic Heritage Month
Luis Paints the World
Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 4
Luis wishes Nico wasn’t leaving for the Army. To show Nico he doesn’t need to go, Luis begins a mural on the alleyway wall. Their house, the river, the Parque de las Ardillas—it’s the world, all right there. Won’t Nico miss Mami’s sweet flan? What about their baseball games in the street?
But as Luis awaits his brother’s return from duty, his own world expands as well, through swooping paint and the help of their bustling Dominican neighborhood.
Astronaut Ellen Ochoa
From the Series STEM Trailblazer Bios
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
When Ellen Ochoa was young, male American astronauts walked on the moon. But girls were not allowed to be astronauts. Girls didn’t often study science either—but Ochoa didn’t let that stop her. In high school, Ochoa loved math and science. In college, she studied physics and engineering, and later she became a scientist and inventor. Eventually NASA began accepting women into their astronaut training program. While there, Ochoa developed technology, became the first female Hispanic American astronaut, and logged 1,000 hours in outer space. Learn about Ochoa’s hard work and perseverance on her journey toward becoming a scientist, inventor, and astronaut.
Believe Your Eyes: Book 1
From the Series Cici: A Fairy’s Tale
Interest Level: Grade 2 – Grade 5
A lot is changing for Cici. Her parents are separating, her wacky abuela is moving in, and on her tenth birthday, she wakes up with fairy wings! Cici’s new magical powers let her see people as they truly are. But what she learns about her friends and family isn’t always easy to accept. She has only one day to decide whether to keep her wings. When Cici wishes life could just be normal again, will she choose to believe in the power of fairies?
The Truth Is
Interest Level: Grade 9 – Grade 12
A powerful exploration of love, identity, and self-worth through the eyes of a fierce, questioning Puerto Rican teen.
Fifteen-year-old Verdad doesn’t think she has time for love. She’s still struggling to process the recent death of her best friend, Blanca; dealing with the high expectations of her hardworking Puerto Rican mother and the absence of her remarried father; and keeping everyone at a distance. But when she meets Danny, a new guy at school—who happens to be trans—all bets are off. Verdad suddenly has to deal with her mother’s disapproval of her relationship with Danny as well as her own prejudices and questions about her identity, and Danny himself, who is comfortable in his skin but keeping plenty of other secrets.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah Is Coming!
Interest Level: Preschool
Crack the eggs. Hear the sound?
Make this braided challah round.
Rosh Hashanah is coming.
This sweet board book celebrates the Jewish New Year, and is the fourth in Tracy Newman’s Jewish holiday series. As Kirkus said of Shabbat is Coming!, a previous book in this series, “. . . the bouncy verse and Garofoli’s richly colored, slightly three-dimensional cartoons against canvas-textured background provide a compelling introduction to the weekly celebration.”
Apple Days: A Rosh Hashanah Story
Interest Level: Preschool – Grade 2
Katy’s favorite holiday is Rosh Hashanah, when she gets to pick apples and make applesauce with her mother. But what happens when the tradition is interrupted by the early arrival of her baby cousin?
Chelm for the Holidays
Interest Level: Grade 3 – Grade 9
Celebrating Jewish holidays has never been sillier than in Chelm, the Village of Fools! While the Chelmites try to solve problems—like outsmarting bees to get Rosh Hashanah honey, and keeping menorah candles lit without enough oil—their foolishness causes even more chaos. Enjoy these tall tales, old and new, one for each of ten holidays throughout the Jewish year.
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