With it being Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th-October 15th), our teen book spotlight this week is on books that are authored by Latino and Latina authors!!! These books are amazing and so many of these authors have written more than just the titles that are being featured--so if you like this one there are others you can read as well. All of the titles featured are standalones so if you want a book that has a beginning, middle, and end these may be a perfect choice! These books and more can be found by searching the catalog using the search tag #yahispanicheritage as well as on Libby and Hoopla. Check back next week for a new teen book spotlight and if you have any book suggestions, please let us know!!
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez--Julia refuses to conform to her Mexican family's expectations of her, wanting to become a writer instead of following her older sister Olga on the path of community college, part-time job, and taking care of their parents. Then, Olga dies mysteriously, and her best friend Angie hints to Julia that there may have been more to Olga than everyone thought. Julia and her best friend, Lorena, investigate, and in the meantime Julia has to figure out how to fall in love with Connor, a white boy whom she is sure could never understand her family.
The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz--A touching coming-of-age story centered around three high school seniors who are each struggling to find their place in an ever-changing world while facing personal tragedies and mounting frustrations. Sal and his adoptive gay, Mexican American father take in Sal's best friend Sam after her life takes a tragic turn, and try to cope with their own grief over the news that Sal's grandmother is dying from cancer. And when Sal and Sam befriend Fito, the three teens bond in their attempt to find purpose in their lives.
With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo--Bi-racial high school senior Emoni Santiago balances school with her job and raising her two-year-old daughter in Philadelphia. Her supportive abuela helps develop Emoni's love of cooking, but Emoni also knows that to pursue culinary school is impossible. But in the end, Emoni, despite the challenges, has no choice but to follow her passion.
Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Peña--Sixteen-year-old Danny searches for his identity amidst the confusion of being half-Mexican and half-white while spending a summer with his cousin and new friends on the baseball fields and back alleys of San Diego County, California.
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera--Sixteen-year-old Aaron Soto learns about a memory-reprogramming procedure pioneered by the Leteo Institute. Aaron is determined to try it to forget his father's suicide, the murders of his friends, his poverty, and the fact that he's gay. But when Aaron begins growing close to fellow teen Thomas, Aaron is forced to question whether giving up a future with Thomas is really what he wants.
Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick My Ass by Meg Medina--After moving to a new neighborhood with her mother, 15-year-old Piedad “Piddy” Sanchez enrolls in a new high school and quickly becomes the target of one Yaqui Delgado. Yaqui thinks Piddy is full of herself and is determined to make Piddy the object of her terror. At first, Piddy seems capable of avoiding Yaqui while maintaining her grades and her after-school job. As the bullying escalates, however, Piddy is forced to confront the situation head-on and figure out a way to retake control of her life without sacrificing who she is—a task that's easier said than done, unfortunately, as Piddy's fear and insecurity threaten to get the best of her.