Anne Sibley O’Brien is a children’s book creator and a co-founder of the Diverse BookFinder.
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! To commemorate, we’re looking at Latinx/Hispanic representation in recent books for children and youth. (Twenty Spanish-speaking nations, including Spain, are defined as Hispanic. The DBF Latinx/Hispanic/Latin American tag encompasses characters whose national origins are from nineteen of those countries – minus Spain – plus Brazil, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the island nations and territories of the Caribbean.) This year’s theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” seems appropriate for the growth that we are seeing here at DBF in how Latinx/Hispanic characters are portrayed.
Shifting Trends
One of the trends we’ve observed over the years in titles with Latinx/Hispanic/Latin American characters (currently 765 in our entire collection*) is that, though twenty-one countries of origin are represented, the vast majority of books focus on characters who are Mexican (219), Puerto Rican (68), Cuban (35), Brazilian (30), and Dominican (24). There are less than twenty characters for any of the other 16 Latin American countries of origin that appear in these books; in fact, the total number of characters with backgrounds from these 16 countries is less than half the number of Mexican characters alone!
However, when we look at more recent titles with Latinx/Hispanic/Latin American characters, in our expansion that includes books for older readers from 2022-2024, we notice a distinct shift. In this group of 235 titles, though characters of four of the same five national origins still dominate — Mexican (59), Puerto Rican (32), Cuban (19), and Dominican (11)— the total number of characters from the 19 other countries (62) is more than the number of Mexican characters. There is a clear increase in the diversity and balance of representation from across Latin America.
And most exciting is to see that among these 235 titles, the number of authors who share Latinx heritage (102) plus those who also share a common national heritage (75) with their characters is a majority — 75%!
Graphic Novels
When we narrow the search even more to just recently-published graphic novels, we find twenty-one titles.
Thirteen countries of origin are identified, and representation is quite balanced — from one to five characters each. Sixteen of the authors and ten of the illustrators are Latinx; seven authors and three illustrators also share countries of origin with their characters.
Of these twenty-one graphic novels, thirteen (listed below) feature Latinx main protagonists whose particular ethnic/national backgrounds are identified. From lighthearted and comic portrayals of tweens and teens, to a treacherous, cross-desert refugee journey, to a graphic short story collection of Indigenous resistance in the global south, these books offer a broad range of portrayals of Hispanic life in the U.S. and in individual Latin American countries.
Colombian
Amazona
Andrea, a young Indigenous Colombian woman, has returned to the land she calls home. Only nineteen years old, she comes to mourn her lost child, carrying a box in her arms. And she comes with another mission. Andrea has hidden a camera upon herself. If she can capture evidence of the illegal mining that displaced her family, it will mark the first step toward reclaiming their land.
Cuban
Isla to Island
“Marisol loves her colorful island home. Cuba is vibrant with flowers and food and people…but things are changing. The home Marisol loves is no longer safe—and then it’s no longer her home at all. Her parents are sending her to the United States. Alone. Nothing about Marisol’s new life in cold, gray Brooklyn feels like home—not the language, school, or even her foster parents. But Marisol starts to realize that home isn’t always a place. And finding her way can be as simple as staying true to herself.” — publisher
Dominican
Doodles from the Boogie Down
“Eighth grade in New York City means one thing: It’s time to start applying to high schools! While her friends are looking at school catalogs and studying for entrance exams, Steph is doodling in her notebook and waiting for art class to begin. When her art teacher tells her about LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Steph desperately wants to apply. But she’s in the Bronx, and LaGuardia is a public school in Manhattan—which her mom would not approve of. Steph comes up with a plan that includes lying to her mom, friends, and teachers. Keeping secrets isn’t easy, and Steph must decide how far she’ll go to get what she wants.”– publisher
Frizzy
“Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and “growing up.” That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have “presentable”, “good hair”. But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn’t understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby―she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.” — publisher
Honduran
Miss Quinces
Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue’s mother announces that they’ll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can’t imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this “quality” time with her rambunctious family?
Mexican
Frontera
“As long as he remembers to stay smart and keep his eyes open, Mateo knows that he can survive the trek across the Sonoran Desert that will take him from Mexico to the United States. That is until he’s caught by the Border Patrol only moments after sneaking across the fence in the dead of night. Escaping their clutches comes at a price, and lost in the desert without a guide or water, Mateo is ill-prepared for the unforgiving heat that is sure to arrive come sunrise. With the odds stacked against him, his one chance at survival may be putting his trust in something, or rather someone, that he isn’t even sure exists. If you’d asked him if ghosts were real before he found himself face-to-face with one, Mateo wouldn’t have even considered it. But now, confronted with the nearly undeniable presence of Guillermo, he’s having second thoughts. Having spent his afterlife guiding migrants to safety, Guillermo knows things about the Sonoran Desert far beyond what could be explained by a mere hallucination. But even as Mateo forms an uneasy partnership with Guillermo, survival is still uncertain. The Sonoran Desert, with its hostile temperatures and inhabitants, is teeming with danger as the Border Patrol, rogue militias, and animals prowl its deadly terrain. As his journey stretches on, Mateo will have to decide exactly what and who he’s willing to sacrifice to find home.” — publisher
Mexikid
“Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn’t mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.” — publisher
Twin Cities
“Being twins means having a best friend forever . . . But when one goes to middle school in Mexico and the other across the border in California, can that bond withstand the distance? Luis Fernando is staying local in Mexicali, Mexico, while Luisa Teresa crosses the border every day so she can go to a private school in Calexico, California. As they try to embrace new experiences close to and far from home, the twins hit obstacles: like making new friends and navigating school pressure without the other one for support. Fernando and Teresa finally have the chance to stand on their . . . isn’t that what the always wanted? A unique and timely story about siblings, middle school, and peer pressure from rising star Jose Pimienta, Twin Cities is at once a relatable contemporary story and much-needed window into an experience so many kids can relate to but has rarely been seen in children’s graphic novels.” — publisher
Paraguayan
Another Band’s Treasure: A Story of Recycled Instruments
“In a small village in Paraguay, Diego dreams of giving music lessons to the children he sees each day. The only problem: there aren’t enough instruments to go around. But when he and Nicolas, a carpenter, look to a nearby landfill, they see instruments in the making. Soon, a paint can, a wooden plank, and a faucet knob become the start of a violin—and their recycled instruments give the kids in town new ways to express themselves. Inspired by the true story of La Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados de Cateura, Hua Lin Xie’s first graphic novel is an ode to the power of music.”– publisher
Peruvian
The Do-Over
“Shy Mariana is looking for her chance to shine. She’s having trouble making friends after a cross-country move to Ohio, plus her dad refuses to let her help out at his hair salon, despite the fact that she’s a social media expert! So when she meets science whiz Zoe and creative maven Everly, and the three decide to start their own hairstyling studio, she finally finds the friends—and the calling—she’s been searching for. The trio’s studio, True Colors, is a smash hit, and the girls are having a blast. Not to mention, Mariana loves helping her fellow middle school clients express themselves. But with the town Harvest Fest on the horizon and a line of customers always at the door, the friends have to scale up quickly, and they don’t always agree on how. Can Mariana find the courage to speak up for what she wants? And does True Colors have what it takes to succeed in business and friendship?” — publisher
Argentinian, Bolivian, Chilean, Ecuadorian, and Peruvian
Movements and Moments
“In 1930s Bolivia, self-described Anarchist Cholas form a libertarian trade union. In the Northern Highlands of Vietnam, the songs of one girl’s youth lead her to a life of activism. In the Philippines, female elders from Kalinga blaze a trail when pushed into an impromptu protest. Equally striking accounts from, Chile, Ecuador, India, Nepal, and Peru weave a tapestry of trauma and triumph, shedding light on not-too-distant histories otherwise overlooked. Indigenous Peoples all over the world have always had to stand their ground in the face of colonialism. While the details may differ, what these stories have in common is their commitment to resistance in a world that puts profit before respect, and western notions of progress before their own. Movements and Moments is an introductory glimpse into how Indigenous Peoples tell these stories in their own words. From Southeast Asia to South America, vibrant communities must grapple with colonial realities to assert ownership over their lands and traditions. This project was undertaken in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Indonesien in Jakarta. These stories were selected from an open call across forty-two countries to spotlight feminist movements and advocacies in the Global South.” — publisher
Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Venezuelan
Invisible
“Can five overlooked kids make one big difference? There’s George: the brain. Sara: the loner. Dayara: the tough kid. Nico: the rich kid. And Miguel: the athlete. And they’re stuck together when they’re forced to complete their school’s community service hours. Although they’re sure they have nothing in common with one another, some people see them as all the same . . . just five Spanish-speaking kids. Then they meet someone who truly needs their help, and they must decide whether they are each willing to expose their own secrets to help . . . or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school.” — publisher
Colombian and Mexican
Chunky Goes to Camp
“Hudi finally embraced his love of art and comedy, but his class clown antics keep getting him in trouble. After Hudi’s artwork lands him in detention again, his parents decide a change is needed when summer arrives, and they sentence him to four weeks at summer camp. Hudi is hesitant about Greene Family Camp—a Jewish sleepaway camp in the blazing Texas desert. At least he still has Chunky. Then Hudi meets Pepe, a fellow camper who’s also Latinx, Jewish, and a comedian like Hudi, and who—get this—can also see Chunky! What?! The rest of Hudi’s bunkmates are also a motley crew of misfits. Has Hudi finally found his people? This new friendship with Pepe leads Hudi and Chunky into all kinds of high jinks, including a prank war with a few rival campers: the rich, preppy trio of Joshes. Hudi soon realizes that Pepe is driven by more than just making people laugh, and he’s not telling Hudi the truth. As the pranks escalate further than Hudi wants, he’s at risk of getting labeled a troublemaker again—can Chunky help Hudi save this new friendship? Or will it flame out?” — publisher
*Our collection includes picture books from 2002-2024, and titles for older readers from 2022-2024. As new titles are being added to our collection, these numbers will continually change.
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