Top Picks for Hispanic Heritage Month—What Everyone Should Have

by the editors of Críticas -- Críticas, 8/15/2007

In light of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place every year from Sept 15 to October 15, we have compiled our top choices for books and videos of the year that best represent and/or celebrate our heritage. This list, which consists of titles reviewed in Críticas since September 2006 that successfully explore themes relevant to Hispanics living in the United States, is meant to help librarians, booksellers, and educators plan their festivities. Fiction books for adults retell historical events, analyze the relationship between the Catholic Church and Latin America, or depict Latino life here or abroad in the 20th century. Nonfiction works encourage immigrant parents to help their children succeed in school and life and show Spanish speakers how to establish financial security; reference works will ensure that the Spanish-language continues to thrive in U.S. Hispanic communities. Meanwhile, the children's fiction illustrates the immigrant experience and the struggle to fit in, it highlights prominent Hispanic literary figures or celebrities, and it teaches children about our traditions, legends, music, and food. As with our "Best Books" selections every year, it is impossible to pick every single good book, and we encourage you to tell us which are your favorite titles for Hispanic Heritage Month.

The list below quotes from the Críticas review of each book and is arranged alphabetically by author; click on the title to read the full review.

ADULTS' BOOKS

Desmoronamiento.
(Deterioration)
Castellanos Moya, Horacio.
Spain: Tusquets, dist. by Urano Pub. 2006. 210p. ISBN 84-8310-349-4. pap. $19.95. FICTION
Though he began his career as a journalist, Castellanos Moya has established a reputation for himself through his novels. [In t]his novel, he examines the microcosm of Central American politics and its inherent violence. [His] subtle treatment of damaged family relations, and by extension, of Central America's inane rivalries, is seemingly removed to the point of indifference. By not emphasizing bloodshed and political credos, he shows that despite violence and death, life continues. [Críticas, 4/1/07]

Cuentos inolvidables según Julio Cortázar.
(Unforgettable Stories According to Julio Cortázar)
Cortázar, Julio.
Argentina/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2006. 343p. bibliog. ISBN 978-987-04-0567-2. pap. $16.95. STORIES
The Argentine author Cortázar was an educator, writer, translator, and Tolkienesque inventor of words. … Inspired by an essay he wrote titled "Some Aspects of the Short Story," this anthology gathers some of Cortázar's favorite stories, as listed in that article and in other places, by other authors from around the world…. Each tale has its singular merits and is a well-considered addition to the collection. [Críticas,6/15/07]

Voces sin fronteras. Antología Vintage Español de literatura mexicana y chicana contemporánea.
(Bordering Fires: The Vintage Book of Contemporary Mexican and Chicana and Chicano Literature)
García, Cristina, ed.
tr. by Liliana Valenzuela. U.S.: Vintage Español: Random House. 2007. 252p. ISBN 978-1-4000-7719-9. $13.95. STORIES
García is a Cuban native raised in New York City. Here, she compiles the literary works by Mexican, Chicano, and Latin American writers. These short stories portray common social obstacles that Latin Americans face when migrating to the United States, as well as their struggles with identity, culture, religion, traditions, and nationality. [Críticas, 6/15/07; starred]

Cien años de soledad.
(One Hundred Years of Solitude)
García Márquez, Gabriel.
Spain/U.S.: Real Academia Española & Alfaguara: Santillana. 2007. bibliog. glossary. ISBN 978-84-204-7183-9. $15.95. FICTION
In conjunction with Santillana, the Real Academia Española (RAE) and the Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española have published this commemorative edition of the contemporary classic to mark its 40th anniversary, García Márquez's 80th birthday, and the 25th anniversary of the author's receiving the Nobel prize. [T]his publication includes an author profile by Álvaro Mutis, an introduction by Carlos Fuentes, and critical essays by Mario Vargas Llosa, Víctor García de la Concha, and Claudio Guillén. … This affordable hardcover edition, which includes a comprehensive glossary and a genealogical map of the legendary Buendía family, simply reconfirms this as the most important Latin American novel of the 20th century. [Críticas,6/1/07; starred]

El corrido de Dante.
(The Ballad of Dante)
González Viaña, Eduardo.U.S.: Arte Público. 2006. 312p. ISBN 1-55885-314-6. pap. $16.95. FICTION
González Viaña here sends illegal immigrant Dante Celestino on a journey from his home in Oregon throughout the Southwest in search of his runaway daughter Emmita. Dante spends three years in his quixotic quest with a donkey as his silent companion. Along the way he reminisces about his wife and his life in Mexico while meeting several characters (including many other illegal immigrants) who share their histories, especially the stories of their passages to the United States. … González Viaña uses Dante's life to illustrate the immigrant experience in the United States and to criticize the way immigrants are treated. [Críticas, 11/15/06]

Nuestras vidas son los ríos.
(Our Lives Are the Rivers)
Manrique, Jaime.
tr. by Juan Fernando Merino. U.S.: Rayo: HarperCollins. 2007. 381p. ISBN 978-0-06-082072-5. pap. $13.95. FICTION
Manrique skillfully describes the tumultuous last years of colonial South America as seen through the eyes of Manuela Saenz (1797-1856), the Ecuadorian mistress of Venezuelan General Simón Bolívar. They meet after Peru's successful independence in 1820s. Manuela is married, against her will, to a wealthy Englishman, and Bolívar cannot recover from the death of his wife. However, passion between the two grows, and Manuela becomes the "liberator of the Liberator." [Críticas, 3/15/07]

México ante Dios.
(Mexico Before God)
Martin Moreno, Francisco.
Mexico/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2006. 619p. bibliog.. illus. ISBN 9707706511. pap. $24.95. HISTORICAL FICTION
The thesis of this work is unmistakable, repeated fervently throughout the novel: the Catholic church has long been Mexico's most damaging enemy. In a grim prison cell in late 19th century Mexico, … a freethinking journalist at the end of his life offers his younger cellmate a detailed chronicle of the abuses the Catholic church carried out in exercising its vast power. His narratives and the recollections of the younger man… span close to 100 years of history. Moreno's wildly popular brand of historical fiction is a conscious alternative to official Mexican textbook versions of events…. [Críticas, 4/1/07; starred]

Los ejércitos.
(The Military)
Rosero, Evelio.
Spain: Tusquets, dist. by Urano Pub. 2007. 203p. ISBN 978-84-8310-391-3. pap. $19.95. FICTION
[A]warded the first Premio Tusquets Editores de Novela at last year's Guadalajara International Book Fair, this is the story of Ismael, a retired professor who lives with his wife, Otilia, in the small town of San José, tucked away in the verdant mountains of Colombia. For 40 years they have lived peacefully there, but then the violence that has ravaged the entire country comes to their door. … With undeniable elegance and a masterly command of the Spanish language, Rosero offers a profound exploration of human life in the face of irrational violence, … [and] the powerful cast of characters that populates this novel … will continue to haunt readers long after the last page is turned. [Críticas, 6/1/07; starred]

Las crónicas de Jackson Heights.
(The Jackson Heights Chronicles)
Tobón, Orlando.
U.S.: Atria: S&S. 2006. 208p. ISBN 0-7432-8659-6. pap. $13. STORIES
[P]oignant and gripping chronicles about the neighborhood in which [the author] has lived, worked, and helped for decades. Based on true events, Tobón's stories reveal the lives of Colombian immigrants in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY—a.k.a. Little Colombia. Rarely done before, this book brings to light the working-class immigrant neighborhood, contrasting the lives of those who consume cocaine in corporate restrooms and fancy nightclubs with the lives of mules—people who smuggle small bags of cocaine in their stomachs into the United States in search of a better life. [Críticas, 11/15/06]

NONFICTION

Cómo promover la lectura. 
(How To Encourage Reading)
Actis, Beatriz.
Argentina: Longseller. 2006. 127p. ISBN 987-550-640-0. pap. $7.95. PARENTING
Actis, a professor of children's literature and education, emphasizes the importance of reading and literature. The author suggests that parents should introduce books to children at an early age and provide appropriate reading material in a variety of genres while partnering with schools and libraries to encourage literacy. … A unique work stressing that reading is fundamental for education. [Críticas, 6/1/07]

Microempresa, megavida. Cinco pasos para una gran vida a través de tu pequeña empresa.
(Small Business, Big Life: Five Steps to Creating a Great Life with Your Own Small Business)
Barajas, Louis.
tr. by Hubert Valverde. U.S.: Grupo Nelson. 2007. 204p. ISBN 978-0-88113-222-9. pap. $16.99. BUSINESS
When he was a child, Barajas, a son of Mexican immigrants, helped his dad run his small, independent business. After going to college and working for a big accounting firm, Barajas decided to start his own company and give Hispanic immigrants advice on how to open and run a small business. … [This book] is targeted mainly toward immigrants who have very little, or nothing, to invest [and] contains useful appendixes that explain financial planning methods, as well as a list of resources. The author's direct and friendly tone will appeal to readers of all backgrounds. [Críticas. 6/1/07]

Tan lejos de Dios.
(Far from God)
Contreras, Joseph.
Mexico/U.S.: Grijalbo: Random House Spanish. 2006. 276p. ISBN 0-307-34458-4. pap. $18.95. CURRENT AFFAIRS
Contreras, Newsweek's regional editor for Latin American since 2002, has written a comprehensive historical account of the political, economic, and cultural changes that have occurred in [Mexico], focusing on how these changes have affected [its] people and their way of life. … The author explores and explains Mexico's immigration to the United States and the social transformation immigration has caused in both countries. … An excellent tool to understanding the economic and political changes that Mexico has undergone in recent years. [Críticas, 12/15/06]

Consiga un trabajo hoy.
(How To Write a Résumé and Get a Job)
Cortés, Luis, Jr.
tr. by Vicente Echerri. U.S.: Atria: S&S (Serie Esperanza). 2007. 111p. ISBN 978-0-7432-8807-1. pap. $7.99. REFERENCE
Rev. Cortés explains everything a Hispanic immigrant needs to know, from what kind of job to look for (given his or her skills), to where to look for it, how to write a good résumé, to how to behave in job interviews. Also, the author provides sample résumés and cover letters and examples of employment forms issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Rev. Cortés relates the topic to Christian principles in his long introductions but otherwise is secular in his approach, objectively describing the processes of getting a job. [Críticas, 6/1/07]

Ayude a sus hijos a tener éxito en la escuela. Guía para padres latinos.
(Help Your Children Succeed in School)
Dabbah, Mariel.
U.S.: Sphinx Publishing. 2006. 106p. ISBN 1-57248-547-7. pap. $8.95. PARENTING
For Latinos new to the United States, navigating the local school system may be overwhelming. In this small guide, Dabbah addresses basic issues such as registration, the school calendar, transportation, meal programs, grade placement, dress codes, and books. She explains bilingual education and English as a Second Language [and] describes the different levels of education, types of schools, school curriculums, and standardized tests. [Dabbah speaks of] the rights and responsibilities of parents, describes how to prepare for parent-teacher conferences, and stresses the importance of learning English. This useful and inexpensive book will help families adjust to education in this country. [Críticas, 11/15/06; starred]

Guía sobre la Hepatitis C para la comunidad Hispana.
(Guide to Hepatitis C for the Hispanic Community)
Daniel, Samuel J., M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G. et al.
U.S.: Hilton Publishing Co. 2006. 198 p. illus. ISBN 0-974-31445-5. pap. $16.95. HEALTH
Written by experts in the field with the Hispanic population in mind, this book begins by explaining what Hepatitis C is (a liver disease), the different stages of development and how it compares with Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and HIV. The authors also describe the different treatments available, other illnesses, and other factors; common side effects; liver transplants; and other complications. …The appendixes cover additional topics and a list of different U.S. organizations and Spanish-language web sites. [Críticas, 11/15/06; starred]

La gramática descomplicada.
(Uncomplicated Grammar)
Grijelmo, Álex.
Mexico/U.S.: Taurus: Santillana. 2006. 463p. ISBN 970-770-066-1. pap. $24.95. LANGUAGE
Grijelmo is not a grammarian but a journalist who for ten years was the main proofreader of El País, the most important newspaper in Spain. Unlike many books on grammar, his most recent work makes the subject easy to understand, eschewing the old systems inherited from the study of Latin for a more practical approach that deemphasizes memorization. … Any Spanish speaker, advanced Spanish student, and even those who hate grammar will find this book useful. [Críticas, 1/15/07; starred]

Crecer en una familia bilingüe.
(Growing Up in a Bilingual Family)
Montanari, Elke.
tr. José Dimas Borja Álvarez. Spain/U.S.: CEAC: Planeta. 2007. 198p. ISBN 978-84-329-1864-3. pap. $18.95. PARENTING
Montanari presents research demonstrating that children raised in a bilingual environment learn to speak and do as well in school as those raised with a single language, and quotes from parents raising bilingual children and from people raised in bilingual homes reinforce these findings. She also incorporates tips that will help parents teach their children languages effectively. [Críticas, 8/15/2007]

Guía para el cuidado de nuestros mayores. Cómo planificar el futuro de sus padres.
(The Eldercare Handbook: Difficult Choices, Compassionate Solutions)
Mora Henry, Stella.
tr. by Rosana Elizalde. U.S.: Rayo: HarperCollins. 2006. 283p. ISBN 0-06-088719-2. pap. $14.95. SELF-HELP
This is a clear, comprehensive, and sensitive guide through the painful and confusing process of deciding how to care for elderly parents. … Addressing both the emotional and the practical aspects of caring for elderly parents, Henry considers the ten signs that your parents need attention, dealing with their denial, the shift in roles, the types of care assistance available, and legal and financial issues. … An excellent introduction to a delicate and difficult problem facing many Latino families. [Críticas, 9/15/06; starred]

Las hijas de Juárez.
Rodríquez, Teresa, et al.
(The Daughters of Juárez)
tr. by Vincente Echerri. U.S.: AtriaEspañol: S&S. 2007. ISBN 978-0-7432-9302-0. 344p. pap. $14. HISTORY
In this powerful account, Rodríguez, a journalist for the Spanish-language network Univision, chronicles the atrocities against women and girls that have been recurring in vast numbers since 1993 in the outskirts of Mexico's Ciudad Juarez. The bodies of over 400 victims of brutal rapes, mutilations, and murders have been found…. Rodríguez presents many of the theories surrounding these as-yet-unsolved crimes, ranging from gang involvement, the work of a serial killer(s), satanic sacrifices, and political corruption. [Críticas, 7/15/07]

Todo para la diabetes. Tratamientos, enfermedades asociadas, alimentación…
(Everything for Diabetes: Treatments, Related Diseases, Nutrition…)
Rovira, Adela & Clotilde Vázquez.
Spain/U.S.: Aguilar: Santillana (Biblioteca de Manuel Toreiglesias, Guías práticas de Saber Vivir, 11). 2007. 270p. illus. ISBN 978-84-03-09731-5. $19.99. HEALTH
Rovira and Vázquez, endocrinologists specializing in diabetes care, offer a primer on diabetes that is comprehensive and easy to understand. Using two case histories, the doctors explain all aspects of this disease, from the history of diabetes, to an explanation of glucose regulation in the body, to diagnosis, genetics, prevention, and treatment. They also discuss special situations…and sum up their discussion with a list of ten important things that diabetics must watch. This is an excellent manual for diabetics, those who care for diabetics, and anyone interested in the disease. [Críticas, 7/15/07; starred]

Breve historia de Cuba.
(Cuba: From Columbus to Castro and Beyond)
Suchlicki, Jamie.
tr. by Pureplay Press. U.S.: Pureplay Press 2006. 356p. ISBN 0-9714366-8-1. pap. $28.95. HISTORY
In this first translation of a work already in its fifth edition, Suchlicki—who heads the Cuban and Cuban American Institute at Miami University—offers a comprehensive study of key historical events in the development of Cuba. … Free of political jargon, this book is an excellent introduction to Cuban history and contains a detailed chronology from 1492 to 2005. [Críticas, 12/15/06]

VIDEOS

Ciudadanía. Éxito en su entrevista con el C.I.S.
(Citizenship: Success in Your C.I.S. Interview)
(U.S., 2006) color. Spanish. 75 mins. Citizenship Resources. 2006. DVD/VHS. $24.95. INSTRUCTION
Aimed specifically at those who qualify for the Spanish-language naturalization interview offered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), this helpful, straightforward video lets viewers determine whether they are exempt from the English-language interview in the first place. … Its interactive component is one of the strengths of this well-conceived learning tool, and the many useful tips it offers will relax interviewees by clearing up some of the uncertainty of an often intimidating process. [Críticas, 3/15/07]

El cuidado de salud.
(Healthcare)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 25 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. (Éxito en el Norte). 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

REVIEWED WITH:
El sistema legal.
(Legal System)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 22 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

La ayuda pública.
(Public Assistance)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 20 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

La educación.
(Education)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 20 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

La inmigración.
(Immigration)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 20 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

Las finanzas.
(Finances)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 22 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

Los impuestos.
(Taxes)
(USA, 2006) color. Spanish. 34 mins. Experience Education in collaboration with Iowa State University 
Extension and Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center. 2006. DVD. $59.95. REFERENCE

Spanish-speaking immigrants will find a wealth of practical, instantly useful information in these videos. […] Each…blends advice from experts with appealingly clear graphics and scenes of everyday people dealing with relevant life-skills situations. The production values are high, and the information is sound and detailed enough to be of immediate benefit. The producers suggest viewing these at home or in small groups; they would indeed be excellent supplements in ESL and other adult education courses. [Críticas, 3/15/07]

No te rindas. Todos estamos en la lucha.
(Don't Give Up: We Are All in the Fight Together)
(U.S, 2006) color. Spanish (English subtitles) 60 mins. Esperanza USA, dist. by CanZion Group. 2006. DVD. $15.99. DRAMA

[T]his movie takes viewers directly to the heart of HIV/AIDS in the Latino community from a Christian perspective, using a fictitious couple to dramatize the issue. Fernando and Aleida, husband and wife, immigrate to the United States and have a son. They eventually become Christians, join a Protestant church, and become very active and helpful within their community. A few years later, Fernando comes down with pneumonia and discovers, while in the hospital, that he has AIDS. Aleida and their son are both tested; Aleida, who is expecting their second child, tests positive. The family then faces criticism and prejudice from their church. Despite the predictable plot, this film serves as a call to action for religious institutions and its members not to ignore the growing number of Hispanics infected with HIV/AIDS. [Críticas, 5/1/07]

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Celebra la Navidad y el Día de los Reyes Magos con Pablo y Carlitos.
(Celebrate Christmas and Three Kings' Day with Pablo and Carlitos).
Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy.
illus. by Walter Torres. U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana.(Cuentos para celebrar) 2006. 32p. pap. ISBN 1-59820-124-7. $9.95.

REVIEWED WITH:
Celebra el Halloween y el Día de los Muertos con Cristina y su conejito azul.
(Celebrate Halloween and the Day of the Dead with Cristina and Her Blue Bunny).
Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy.
illus. by Ivanova Martinez. U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana.(Cuentos para celebrar) 2006. 32p. pap. ISBN 1-59820-120-4. $9.95.

Celebra el Día de Acción de Gracias con Beto y Gaby.
(Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with Beto and Gaby).
Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy.
illus. by Claudia Rueda. U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. (Cuentos para celebrar) 2006./n/32p. pap. ISBN 1-59820-121-2. $9.95.

K-Gr 1–Each title starts with a story about a family preparing and celebrating the holiday, followed by a chapter on facts about the holiday—origins, meaning, and traditional celebrations in different cultures. In Celebrate Christmas, Carlitos and Pablo are writing letters to the three kings detailing the gifts they would like to receive on Three Kings' Day. In the Halloween book, Cristina and her brother Daniel prepare homemade costumes with their friends. When Cristina loses her favorite toy, a blue bunny, her mother suggests that she place a picture of him on the Day of the Dead altar. [Críticas, 11/06]

Cheech y su autobús escolar.
(Cheech and His School Bus)
Marin, Cheech.
tr. by Orlando Ramirez. illus. by Orlando R. Ramírez. U.S.: Rayo: HarperCollins. 2007. 32p. ISBN 978-0061132049. $16.99.
K-Gr 3–When a group of children put together a mariachi band, they name it Los Cheecharones in honor of their beloved bus driver, Cheech. The problem starts when the band enters a rock-and-roll competition. How can the only mariachi group compete against the cool rock bands? In the end, their long practices and passion for their music pay off and everything turns out "Groovanova." [Críticas, 07/07]

¡Jonrón!
(Out of the Ballpark!)
Rodríguez, Alex.
illus. by Frank Morrison. U.S.: Rayo: Harper Collins. 2007. unpaged. ISBN 978-0-06-115197-2. $16.99.
K-Gr 2–The future All Star whiffs at pitches over his head and lets a ball roll between his legs in a big playoff game, but he gets over his fears to become even more determined, waking up at 5 a.m. to practice, and working hard at school all the while. Frank Morrison's (Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent winner for Jazzy Miz Mozetta) paintings convey the enthusiasm and movement of young A-Rod and his teammates, on and off the field. [Críticas, 04/07]

GR 3-5

Ecos del desierto.
(Echoes From the Dessert)
Dubovoy, Silvia.
illus. by René Almanza. Mexico/U.S.: Fondo de Cultura Económica (A la orilla del viento). 2007. 63p. ISBN 978-968-16-8396-2. pap. $ N/A.
Gr 3-4–A page turner, this inspiring novel tells the story of a 16-year-old boy from Cuicatlán, Mexico, who dreams of (and achieves) a better life for himself and his family. Miguel, a budding musician, decides to join his aunts and uncles in Phoenix, AZ, and he illegally crosses the border with the help of a "Coyote." Water runs out, thorns pierce his feet, and immigration officials nearly seize the group; but it is all worth in the end. [Críticas, 08/07; starred]

Cuentos favoritos de Puerto Rico.
(Favorite Tales of Puerto Rico)
García, David.illus. by Gus Anavitate. Puerto Rico: Taino Press. 2005. 40p. ISBN 09772628-1-2. $14.95.
Gr 4-6–In this colorfully illustrated book, three legends capture the island's rich heritage. Like the coquí (a tiny tree frog native to the island) in one story of endurance and size-defying will, this small Caribbean country has a proud and resilient past steeped in a history of colonization. [Críticas, 02/07]

MIDDLEGRADE

El joven Zorro: La marca de hierro.
(Young Zorro: The Branding Iron).
Adkins, Jan.
tr. by Zorro Productions. U.S.: Harper Collins. 2007. 251p. ISBN 978-0-06-115378-5. pap. $6.99.
Gr 4-8-Based on the novel Zorro, by Isabel Allende, this edition tells of some of Diego de la Vega's adventures as a maturing adolescent living in southern California when the territory was still under Spanish rule. When numerous cattle and some of the area's most esteemed craftsmen inexplicably disappear from the community, Diego and his friend Bernardo investigate and slowly piece together the puzzle. A superb translation, the text describes the harsh realities of the young Spanish settlement of Los Angeles, along with the history of the mission and the social customs of the time. [Críticas, 08/07]

16 cuentos latinoamericanos.
(16 Latin American Short Stories)
Muñoz de Coronado, Marta, ed.Colombia: Coedición Latinoamericana. 2006. 221p. photogs. ISBN 958-04-2959-6. $17.95.
Gr 6 Up—This anthology includes selections by some of Latin America's most prominent writers. Geared to teen readers, the collection includes stories about adolescence, coming of age, love, legends and myths, ghosts, fantastic animals, and enchanted settings. The authors represented are a who's who in Latin American literature: Julio Cortázar (Argentina); Óscar Cerruto (Bolivia); Murilo Rubião (Brazil); Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia); Rodrigo Soto (Costa Rica); Senel Paz (Cuba); Antonio Skármeta (Chile); and Alfredo Bryce Echenique (Perú), among others. [Críticas, 10/06; starred]

Quedando bien.
(Fitting in)
Bernardo, Anilú.
tr. by Rosario Sanmiguel. U.S.: Piñata Books: Arte Público Press. 2006. 208p. ISBN 1-55885-474-6. pap. $9.95
YA–This award-winning collection of short stories follows the lives of five Cuban-American teenagers living in Florida. Their tightly knit families speak Spanish at home; for dinner, they often enjoy their homeland dishes. They all face special challenges at home and school while trying to fit into mainstream culture. Though these stories are somehow contrived (they all end on a positive note), these novel brings a ray of hope to recent immigrant teenagers facing seemingly insurmountable problems such as fitting into a new school or improving fluency in English. [Críticas, 09/06]

Cartas a mi mamá.
(Letters to My Mom)
Cárdenas, Teresa.
Canada: Libros Tigrillo: Groundwood Books. 2006. 96p. ISBN 978-0-8889-9722-7. $15.95.
Gr 7+–Originally published in Cuba, this poignant story of racism and hope holds valuable lessons for all readers. A young orphan comes of age within the bosom of the poor kin who take her in. In a series of letters written to her beloved dead mother, the narrator/protagonist unburdens her heart and speaks of her loneliness. In the beginning, she is a powerless black girl belittled and taunted for her blackness. When she starts questioning her community's popular belief that blacks should whiten their race, the roots of a healthy identity begin to sprout. [Críticas, 01/07; starred]

Béisbol en abril y otros cuentos.
(Baseball in April and Other Stories)
Soto, Gary.
tr. by Enrique Mercado. U.S.: Alfaguara Infantil: Santillana. 2007. 140p. ISBN 1-59820-519-6. pap. $9.95.

REVIEWED WITH:
Tomando partido.
(Taking Sides)
Soto, Gary.
tr. by Enrique Mercado. U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2007. 145p. ISBN 1-59820-520-X. pap. $9.95.

Gr 4-7–The boys of Béisbol, Latinos growing up in Central California, deal with universal issues that early adolescents can relate to, such as trying out for Little League and trying to impress girls. In Tomando partido, Lincoln Mendoza struggles when he is displaced from his San Francisco barrio into an affluent, predominantly white suburb. The clash of cultures is jarring, yet ultimately surmountable for the boy. [Críticas, 05/07]

NONFICTION

José.
Lázaro, Georgina.
illus. by María Sánchez. U.S.: Lectorum (Cuando los grandes eran pequeños). 2007. ISBN 978-1-933032-08-5. $14.99.
Gr 4-6–Featuring the national patriot of Cuba, this title is another keeper in the series that chronicles famous literary figures. Written in four-verse stanzas—with eight syllables per line and alternating rhyme—the story poetically mimics José Martí's own Versos sencillos (Simple verses). The easy-to-read stanzas, which effortlessly introduce children to poetry while telling the story of the young poet's writing and burgeoning social consciousness, may inspire beyond reading. [Críticas, 05/07; starred]

Juana Inés.
Lázaro, Georgina.
illus. by Bruno González Preza. U.S.: Lectorum (Cuando los grandes eran pequeños). 2007. unpaged. ISBN 978-1-930332-57-7. $14.99.
Gr 4-6–Inés defies all norms for a girl born to an illiterate mother in 17th-century Mexico. The child prodigy devours the books in her grandfather's library, but when she wants to continue her education, she takes the vows of a nun. Told in seguidillas, a type of verse frequently used by Sor Juana Inés, the story beautifully highlights her achievements but remains mute about the punishments she suffered for daring to compete intellectually in a man's world and within the confines of the Catholic Church. [Críticas, 06/07]

Lucila se llama Gabriela.
(Lucila Is Called Gabriela)
Montecino Aguirre, Sonia.
illus. by Luis San Vicente. Mexico: Ediciones Castillo, dist. by Holtzbrinck. 2006.55p. ISBN 970-200-828-X. pap. $12.95.
Gr 4-6–This cultural gem documents the struggles of Gabriela Mistral, born Lucila Godoy, in an era when provincial attitudes disdained unmarried, independent women. Committed to working for social justice by educating women, children, and the working poor, Mistral became the first Latin American woman to win a Nobel Prize in literature. [Críticas, 02/07; starred]

BILINGUAL

Juan and the Chupacabras.
(Juan y el chupacabras.)
Garza, Xavier.
illus. by April Ward. U.S.: Piñata Books: Arte Público Press. 2006.
16p. ISBN 1-55885-454-1. $15.95.
K-Gr 3—Like the Loch Ness monster and Big Foot, the Chupacabras is an elusive creature that has gained a place in popular consciousness. Juan's grandfather narrates his encounter with the mythical beast. Armed only with a tree branch, he was able to fend off the fearsome creature. This tall tale is much to swallow, so Juan and his cousin Luz decide to see for themselves. Equipped with marbles soaked in holy water, the children find a big surprise on the cold dark night in the cornfield. [Críticas, 10/06]

Family Stories/Cuentos Familiares.
Various
tr. by Ernesto Guerrero. illus.: Maria Elena Castro, Charles Glaubitz, Daniel Gonzales, Gronk, Jose Lozano, Jose Ramirez, Artemio Rodriguez, Sonia Romero, Arturo Romo and Eduardo Sarabia. U.S.: Lectura Books. 2006. 27p. ISBN 0-9716580-7-2. $15.95.
Gr 1-4–Ambitious and laudable in concept, this title portrays the first person accounts of childhood anecdotes of ten different Latino visual artists in the United States. The themes covered are compelling and resonant to the Latino immigrant experience, from discovering public art to mastering English as a second language. However, the actual narrative delivery is somewhat less impressive; mainly because the stories are too short to have much depth. The appeal of this work lies in its illustrations, which are a celebration of the rich variety of media, style, and tone among this group. [Críticas, 09/06]

My Way
(A mi manera.)
Reiser, Lynn.
tr. by Bárbara Mergen Alvarado, et al. illus. by author. U.S.: Greenwillow Books: Harper Collins. 2007. unpaged. ISBN 978-0-06-084101-0. $15.99.
PreS-Gr 1–The two spunky protagonists have a lot in common. Their names are similar (Margarita and Margaret), they are the same age, and go to the same school. However, they both like to do things their own way—"a mi manera"—so their hair, clothes, salutations, art forms, and even napping all have distinctive styles. This sunny tale of independence and friendship is perfect for those preschoolers who are just beginning to express their individuality but want to stay in sync with their friends. [Críticas, 02/07; starred]

Abuelita Full of Life
(Abuelita llena de vida.)
Costales, Amy.
tr. by Alicia Fontain. illus. by Martha Aviles. U.S.: Luna Rising. 2007. 32p. ISBN 978-0-87358-914-7. $14.95.
K-Gr 2–José's grandmother is old when she comes from Mexico to live with the family. Her long braids are gray and she has a deeply lined face. But none of this really matters to José. Abuelita cooks and knits; she strings chiles, and rips tortillas to feed the birds. She draws with José, counts beans with his sister, and tells both children stories. More importantly, she brings home the richness of their heritage, speaking in Spanish and giving them an appreciation for Mexican music. [Críticas, 05/07]

Day of the Dead: A Passion for Life
(Día de los Muertos. Pasión por la vida. )
Andrade, Mary J.
tr. by author. U.S.: La Oferta. 2007. 200p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-9791624-0-4. pap. $29.95.
Gr 9+–Part guidebook, part research, and part coffee-table tome (in paperback), this is a valuable, though rather sprawling account of the Day of the Dead specifically as it is celebrated in P'urphepecha (formerly known as Tarasco) indigenous communities of the Mexican state of Michoacán. Through interviews with anthropologists and the celebrants themselves, the author teases out the meanings, origins, and variations of rituals, art, altars and offerings, food, and songs. Vibrant and plentiful photographs show the people, their rituals, and intricate preparations. [Críticas, 06/07]

Vines of the Earth
(Parras de la tierra.)
Del Rio, Adam.
illus. by David Arroyo. U.S.: Lectura. 2007. ISBN 978-0-9772852-7-3. $15.95.
Gr 4-6–Mario used to go to bed hungry in his native Mexican pueblo. As a young man picking grapes in Napa, CA, he is fascinated by the fruit of his toil. When one day the landowner invites him to taste the wine they produce, Mario is hooked. He sets his heart on someday buying a vineyard and turning his own grapes into wine. [Críticas, 07/07]

La carrera de Ricardo
(Ricardo's Race.)
Gonzales Bertrand, Diane. tr. by Rocío Viegas-Barros. illus. by Anthony Accardo. U.S.: Piñata Books: Arte Público Press. 2007. unpaged. ISBN 1-55885-481-9. $15.95.
Gr 3–This moving biography follows the life of Ricardo Romo from his early childhood through his university years and back to his hometown where he became the president of the University of Texas at San Antonio. [Críticas, 07/07; starred]

Nana, ¡Qué Sorpresa!
(Nana's Big Surprise.)
Perez, Amada Irma.
tr. by author. illus. by Maya Christina Gonzalez. U.S.: Children's Book Press. 2007. unpaged. ISBN 0-89239-190-1. $16.95.
K-Gr 1—When grandfather Tata dies, mourning Nana moves in with her family. The whole family builds a chicken coop hoping this will keep her busy and help with her grief. They all miss their happy Nana they remember from their visits to Mexico, where Tata sold fruits and vegetables at the mercado and Nana raised chickens and sold eggs. Overall, this is a great book to discuss death, understand grief, and comprehend the role of family in dealing with both. [Críticas, 05/07; starred]