List

Celebrating Stories of Latin-American Teens

By Grace Menary-Winefield

Read these recently published, heartfelt, and engaging young adult novels that put Latin-American heritage into the spotlight all year.

Shut Up, This Is Serious
2024 by Ixta, Carolina
Belén hides from her depressing home life by hopping trains around the Bay Area, helping her best friend navigate her teen pregnancy, and jumping headfirst into a new relationship. But can ignoring your problems really help make them go away? This astonishing coming-of-age story garnered four starred reviews and is worth every reading minute.

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Relit: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories
2024
Reimagine Edgar Allen Poe, Jane Austen, and even Goldilocks and the Three Bears in this anthology of stories remixed with Latine protagonists and cultural experiences. It's genre-bending in the best way with a diverse cast that truly displays the wide spectrum of Latin heritage and traditions.

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Brownstone
2024 by Teer, Samuel
It's the summer of 1995, and Almudena is sent to live with her estranged Guatemalan father as he renovates a brownstone building. She hates it: the crumbling construction, the "otherness" of her mixed heritage, and the struggle of getting to know her father--he doesn't even speak English! This colorful and heartwarming graphic novel shows the warmth of community, the dangers of gentrification, and the beautiful journey of connecting to one's heritage.

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The Diablo's Curse
2024 by Novoa, Gabe Cole
Dami is a demon who only wants to be human again, and it should be easy: end all the contracts they made with mortals and they'll gain their humanity. But it turns out their final contractee--Silas--has unfinished business of his own, and he's not so keen on cancelling his deal. A standalone novel in Novoa's Wicked Bargain universe that can be read happily on its own.

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Canto Contigo
2024 by Garza Villa, Jonny
Rafie is determined to be the lead vocalist in his new school's mariachi band and lead them all to glory at the Extravaganza Nacional competition. The only problem? His ex-flame Rey is already heading the team. Rafie isn't going to let an old attraction stand in his way, but when their undeniable aconnection returns, can he put his heart second to the spotlight? A gorgeous queer romance about navigating positive change and redefining traditional customs.

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Call Me Iggy
2024 by Aguirre, Jorge Augusto
When Colombian-American Iggy accidentally spills some of his abuelito's ashes, his grandfather's ghost appears! And to make things even weirder, he starts to meddle in Iggy's love life, something that Iggy definitely did not sign up for! This funny and heartfelt graphic novel is set around the 2016 election when attacks against the Latine community were at an all-time high.

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10 Things I Hate about Prom
2024 by Rose, Elle Gonzalez
Joaquin and Ivelisse have been best friends and neighbors forever--and Ivelisse might have to admit that her feelings have changed to something more. So when Joaquin asks popular girl Tessa to the prom, and asks Ive to help him with a fancy promposal, she's hurt and annoyed that he doesn't seem to realize love was right in front of his face all along. This romantic comedy is absolutely adorable and perfect for fans of Becky Albertelli and Jenny Han.

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Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice
2024 by Lapera, Anna
Manuela "Mani" Semilla has no interest in going to Guatemala with her mother, a place she was always told is dangerous. It's why her family left! But when she finds letters in the attic between her mother and Tía Beatriz, she begins to get a different story as to why they came to the United States. And the letters might be the push she needs to stand up for herself at school. This middle grade novel is perfect for readers of Donna Barba Higuera and anyone who loves stories of young women grasping their power.

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Hot Boy Summer
2024 by Jiménez, Joe
Flor, Mikey, Mac, and Cammy are the Fierce Bitches Club, and they are determined to make the summer before their senior year their best yet! There are strong vibes on every page with fresh and witty slang, colloquial Spanish words and phrases, and a freedom of narration that challenges readers to let go and have fun.

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I Am Not Alone
2023 by Stork, Francisco X.
Alberto is living his life with schizophrenia, determined not to let the voice inside his head rule his choices--especially when he meets Grace and they fall hard for each other. But when Alberto is accused of murder and robbery, he can't fully remember the circumstances and has to rely in Grace to prove his innocence. Stork is an incredible writer whose stories are highly empathetic, deeply emotional, and wonderfully satisfying.

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Café Con Lychee
2022 by Lee, Emery
In the tradition of enemies-to-lover romances--and how relationships seem to blossom over food--this sweet novel brings two rival boys together as they strive to save their café businesses in the face of a third, potentially disastrous competitor. Fans of Salt and Sugar; and With or without You will eat this book whole!

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Does My Body Offend You?
2022 by Cuevas, Mayra
Malena has only just arrived in Florida from Puerto Rico when she becomes a victim of her new school's biased, sexist, and outdated dress code. Teaming up with her friend Ruby, she takes on the administration and starts a movement for women's rights for ALL women--no matter their color or shape. This empowering novel is written by two authors and successfully tackles themes of activism, allyship, and body shaming.

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Saints of the Household
2023 by Tison, Ari
When two BriBri (Indigenous Costa Rican) brothers beat up their school's star soccer player after an assault on their cousin, they are suspended from school. But what most people don't know is that the brothers also live with fury at home, sparked by their father's temper. This reflective, compelling debut in both prose and verse shows the power of cultural connection in healing and how pain and legacy doesn't have to mold one's identity.

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Queerceañera
2024 by Crespo, Alex
Joaquin's queerceañera is going to be the event of year, even if his traditional Catholic mother doesn't support his coming-out. When Felix, her mother's godson and Joaquin's first crush, offers to be his escort to try and ease the relationship between mother and son, things quickly escalate. This romantic comedy with nuanced characters and endearing development is filled with witty banter, "will they/won't they" tension, and a celebration of found family and community support.

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