By Jon, Wenatchee Public Library
Originally signed into law Sept. 17, 1968, and observed for only a week, Hispanic Heritage has been celebrated in America for 53 years. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 both to commemorate the inauguration of this law in 1968 and because it correlates with the independence dates of many South American countries, such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (all on September 15), as well as Mexico (September 16) and Chile (September 18).
Hispanic Heritage was at first intended to introduce the American public to a growing culture within their communities. Today it is still celebrated for the same reason, as we honor our differences and embrace diversity. Below are works in our library collections by hispanic authors of many different nationalities and descents, which give a small insight into their culture and community.
Adult
Dominicana by Angie Cruz
Cantoras by Carolina de Robertis
Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands by Jorge Amado
Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García
Teen
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Peña
City of Beasts by Isabel Allende
We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario
Children
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty
Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
Rainbow Weaver by Lnda Elovitz Marshall
Yes! We Are Latinos by Alma Flor Ada
Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown
Movies
There are also many movies and documentaries on our online streaming service Kanopy celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
English