Hispanic Heritage Month
- Anna Traffanstedt
- Nov 2
- 4 min read
October was filled with books that celebrate Hispanic Heritage! The kids and I had so many favorites (and you've probably seen a couple that they found in the school library). Here are our top 7:
Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas (intentionally written in "Spanglish") was definitely the class favorite! Poor Izzy seems to always make mistakes, so when it's tortilla-making day, she is NOT happy. Her family comes to the rescue by teaching her how to laugh it off and eat (yes, eat!) her mistakes. It's a hilariously beautiful story about a family sharing their mistakes with each other over some yummy tortillas. There's even a "recipe" in the back so you can make mistacos at home!
My favorite part of this book was that it prompted the students to share their mistakes and not feel so bad about messing up sometimes. They were amazed to learn that even I, too, an ADULT, make mistakes. It was a great opportunity to model vulnerability and honesty!
Every year, I look forward to reading this book (find the Spanish version here)! It is a sweet story about a girl's Abuela who has to leave her country to live with her daughter's family. At first, Mia and her Abuela are not able to communicate. Abuela doesn't know English, and Mia doesn't speak Spanish. Mia and Abuela start to teach each other their languages and even get a pet parrot who joins in on the language-learning fun!
Meg Medina did a great job at writing a story full of hope and love. The kids loved the parrot Mango, and many shared their own stories of when they have helped their family members with English. Maybe you can learn something new along with your family, just like Mango, Abuela, and Mia!
Tíos and Primos (find the Spanish version here) is another book about a girl who wants to talk with family but doesn't know enough Spanish. The girl travels with her dad to meet family members that still live in their home country. She is very nervous about her Spanish and feels out of place. "'How can I be close to someone if I can't speak their language?'" But her family is kind and patient and include her in everything. By the end of the trip, the girl "[feels] as close to them as if [she'd] known them forever."
This book shows the beauty and power of speaking Spanish and teaches that love and family can overcome any barrier.
The kids thought this was the coolest book (find it in Spanish here)! Isabel Quintero's story brings her childhood memories to life and honors the hard work of immigrants. She shows the special bond a child and father can have and celebrates the little things in a community many take for granted. This book addresses how neighborhoods change, how immigrants aren't often recognized for their work, but how family and friendship can still shine brightly. If you are feeling discouraged by all that is going on, read My Papi Has a Motorcycle! Know there are many who see you and are thankful for you. Your kids see how much you contribute to the world and are very proud of their heritage!
A vivid, lively book, Adela's Mariachi Band celebrates family, music, and dancing! Throughout the book, a young girl tries to find her talent so she can join her family's mariachi band. Adela eventually discovers she can shout "los gritos" like no other.
The students were very excited about the Author's Note at the end because there are many cool sources to learn more about mariachi and Mexican music. And the kids are now on a similar quest to find their special talent.
Written in both English and Spanish, The Upside Down Boy depicts what it feels like to go school in the United States when you don't speak any English. "When I jump up everyone sits. When I sit all the kids swing through the air. My feet float through the clouds when all I want is to touch the earth. I am the upside down boy." There are a lot of metaphors in this book, but it prompted deep conversations in class. Students were sharing what they feel like when they don't understand something. Empathy is a powerful thing!
We also talked about the importance of having safe, caring adults in our lives. Juan, the main character, has very supportive parents and a teacher who believes in him. Because of this, Juan grows more and more confident at school.
The Dominican Republic is often forgotten about in Hispanic Heritage Month. My class and I loved learning more about the DR and its history through Islandborn (find the Spanish version here)! We learned that a country can be both beautiful and dangerous at the same time. We talked about how healing can be a long process and how many people have to leave their homes that they love to be safe. And even if you don't remember where your family comes from, that culture is still a special part of you.
Leo Espinosa made this book extra notable with his colorful illustrations. The students kept asking to look through the book because they loved the pictures. It is amazing how art can bring words to life!
