Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 to October 15, 2021 – Alli Boyer, Youth Services

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we take the time to honor the culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans with heritage rooted in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. While the observations began in 1968, National Hispanic Heritage Month was not enacted into law until 1988. The start date, September 15, is significant because it honors the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. To celebrate, the Library of Congress generally hosts various readings in the Hispanic Reading Room, and their previous celebrations can be found here.

Generally, when we, here in the U.S. hear the term “America,” we automatically think of the United States.  However, we are really part of a giant land mass consisting of two Americas: North America and South America.  The Americas have a long, tangled history full of its own trials and tribulations, but there is no denying that refugees and Spanish-speaking or indigenous people have been living in the United States since long before the nation was established.  If you’re interested in learning more about the Americas’ timeline, explore here.

As always, the best way to learn about a culture is to experience it from its own voices.  Here are some of our recommendations, or you can check out the Youth Services display for more reading materials:

Salsa Lullaby by Jen Arena

Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Pena

Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Turning Pages by Sonia Sotomayor

Fiesta Femenina: Celebrating Women in Mexican Folktales by Mary-Joan Gerson

We also have a large selection of Spanish language picture books you’ll find on our display!