Junior Rho Kappa Shares Hispanic Heritage Resources

This month is Hispanic Heritage Month. It begins on September 15th and ends on October 15th, in correspondence with when many Spanish-speaking countries celebrate their independence days. Here are some books for your children written by and about Hispanic and Latino people, and some resources for parents to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month:

4k-3rd grade: Areli Is a Dreamer, by Areli Morales, illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Based on the author’s real-life experiences, this picture book shares Areli’s story as a young immigrant from Mexico. It’s a touching story that any child will love — especially if they’ve also experienced the growing pains of adjusting to a new place.

4th Grade - 5th grade: Merci Suarez Changes Gear , by Meg Medina        

Winner of the 2019 Newbery Medal, this coming-of-age tale by New York Times best-selling author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family. (amazon.com)

Middle School: Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya     

Marcus Vega is six feet tall, 180 pounds, and the owner of a premature mustache. When you look like this and you're only in the eighth grade, you're both a threat and a target. After a fight at school leaves Marcus facing suspension, Marcus's mom decides it's time for a change of environment. She takes Marcus and his younger brother to Puerto Rico to spend a week with relatives they don't remember or have never met. But Marcus can't focus knowing that his father--who walked out of their lives ten years ago--is somewhere on the island. So begins Marcus's incredible journey, a series of misadventures that take him all over Puerto Rico in search of his elusive namesake. Marcus doesn't know if he'll ever find his father, but what he ultimately discovers changes his life. And he even learns a bit of Spanish along the way.

  Extra Resources:

• https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnfObXiV3h8

-Damon Melton, Highlands School Student DEI Liaison