Making a Summer Reading List

The Suns celebrate cinco de mayo

I’ve been asked to put together a summer reading list for Latino students. I have too many ideas so I’d like to welcome suggestions. I’m doing one list for 7-9 and another for 10-12 and I’d including fiction, non-fic biographies,  and a classic. I’m struggling with a graphic novel or comic. Due this Friday!!

Considerations:

grades 7-9

Esperanza Rising RYAN

Reaching out JIMANEZ

Whole Sky Full of Stars SALDANO

Diego bigger than life BERNIER-GRAND

The Surrender tree L’ENGLE

Pele King of Soccer/el ry del futbol GUTIERREZ

Rogelia’s house of magic MARTINEZ-WAND

Heat LUPICA

Cuba 15 OSA

grades 10-12

Return to sender ALVAREZ

The good girls guide to getting kidnapped MURRAY

Marcelo in the real world STORK

Always running RODRIGUEZ

Zoot Suit VALDEZ

Soccer the ultimate guide CLOAKE

Grafitti world GANZ

Graffiti girl PARA

Mexican white boy DE LA PENA

The last summer of death warriors STORK

Latino USA: A cartoon history STAVANS

Sofi Medoza’s guide to getting lost in Mexico ALEGRIA

7 thoughts on “Making a Summer Reading List”

  1. How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez
    Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz

    I think Return to Sender is a bit young for high school (I love Julia Alvarez, but I wasn’t super fond of that one). I’d go with Before We Were Free for the younger group instead.

    1. I don’t know how well the Alvarez books really engage teens. They just sit on my shelves. This new one was getting such good reviews, I thought it might work.
      Saenz: Sammy and Juliana or Last night I sang to the monster? I’d like to balance girl books with guy books, but want to get really good books!

      I sure did mean to put Elkeles on there!

      Thanks, Keri!

  2. Don’t forget Gary Soto. He writes for both age groups, but I am more familiar with the upper grades.

    My favorites by him for upper secondary are “Afterlife,” and the companion book, “Buried Onions”.

    Just read “Last Night I Sang to the Monster” by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Absolutely beautiful, and for upper grades as well.

    Hope this helps! Can’t wait to benefit from your hard work :).

  3. 7 – 9
    Leaving Glorytown by Eduardo F. Calcines
    I Wanna Be Your Shoebox by Christina Garcia
    Confetti Girl by Diana Lopez
    The Keeper by Mal Peet

    10 -12
    Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees
    Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz – Edi you know you have to put at least one of his titles on this list
    Dark Dude by Oscar Hijuelos

  4. Anything by Margarita Engle is good. For graphic novels, I immediately thought of Palomar by Gilbert Hernandez for the older teens. You might want to look that one over first though.

  6. For middle grade: Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes. A definite good intro to magic realism and first crushes and good food 🙂

    Return to Sender is middle grade and it’s my least favorite Alvarez book. I detested the main character, even after he reformed. ugh. But In the Time of the Butterflies or How the Garcia Girls Lost Their accents or any other book by Julia Alvarez is good.

    The Firefly Letters by Margarita Engle was a lovely read too.

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