Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month with Underlined: Celebrate and uplift estos libros from Latine creators!

This year the Underlined team honors and celebrates Hispanic and Latine history and traditions with this roundup up YA titles. Celebrate and uplift estos libros from Latine creators!

Bad at Love

Bad at Love

“An open-hearted exploration of loneliness and love against the backdrop of the vibrant L.A. music scene.”—Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys

This fun and flirty romance follows a teen rocker with a bad boy reputation and the aspiring journalist who’s determined to dig up the dirt on him . . . if they don’t fall for each other first.

Before We Were Free

Before We Were Free

PURE BELPRÉ AWARD WINNER • ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME • AN ALA-YALSA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS

From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl’s struggle to be free while living in the Dominican Republic under the rule of a dictator.

Cuba 15

Cuba 15

For fans of Matt de la Peña and Sandra Cisneros comes a novel about family and identity, where Violet Paz prepares for her quinceañero and learns about her Cuban heritage.

Does My Body Offend You?

Does My Body Offend You?

A timely story of two teenagers who discover the power of friendship, feminism, and standing up for what you believe in, no matter where you come from. A collaboration between two gifted authors writing from alternating perspectives, this compelling novel shines with authenticity, courage, and humor.

Enrique's Journey (The Young Adult Adaptation)

Enrique's Journey (The Young Adult Adaptation)

Adapted for young people, this edition of Enrique’s Journey is written by Sonia Nazario and based on the adult book of the same name. It is the true story of Enrique, a teenager from Honduras, who sets out on a journey, braving hardship and peril, to find his mother, who had no choice but to leave him when he was a child and go to the United States in search of work. Enrique’s story will bring to light the daily struggles of migrants, legal and otherwise, and the complicated choices they face simply trying to survive and provide for the basic needs of their families. The issues seamlessly interwoven into this gripping nonfiction work for young people are perfect for common core discussion. Includes an 8-page photo insert, as well as an epilogue that describes what has happened to Enrique and his family since the adult edition was published.

Finding Miracles

Finding Miracles

A new paperback edition of Julia Alvarez’s beloved story about family, identity, and first love.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “stunning” (America Ferrera) YA novel about a teenager coming to terms with losing her sister and finding herself amid the pressures, expectations, and stereotypes of growing up in a Mexican American home.

“Alive and crackling—a gritty tale wrapped in a page-turner. ”—The New York Times

I Will Save You

I Will Save You

Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña’s I Will Save You is a “heartwarming, root-for-the-underdog novel.” [SLJ]

It's All Love

It's All Love

An empowering collection written by Jenna Ortega, the award-winning actress starring in the hit Netflix series WEDNESDAY. These deeply personal stories and quotes are accompanied by beautiful illustrations that explore Jenna’s struggles with depression, experiences falling in—and out of—love, the loss of close family members, and growing up Latina in Hollywood.

Like a Love Song

Like a Love Song

This debut paperback original romance follows a Latina teen pop star whose image takes a dive after a messy public breakup, until she’s set up with a swoon-worthy fake boyfriend.

Mexican WhiteBoy

Mexican WhiteBoy

Newbery Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Matt de la Peña’s Mexican WhiteBoy is a story of friendship, acceptance, and the struggle to find your identity in a world of definitions.

On Top of Glass

On Top of Glass

An insightful memoir from a figure skating champion about her life as a bisexual professional athlete, perfect for readers of Fierce by Aly Reisman and Forward by Abby Wambach.

Small Town Monsters

Small Town Monsters

The Conjuring meets The Vow! This is the terrifying story of a girl, a dark angel, and the cult hellbent on taking over her small, coastal town.

The Go-Between

The Go-Between

Fans of Jane the Virgin will find much to love about The Go-Between, a coming-of-age novel from bestselling author Veronica Chambers, who with humor and humanity explores issues of identity and belonging in a world that is ever-changing.

The Living

The Living

Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña’s The Living is “a rare thing: a plot-driven YA with characters worthy of a John Green novel.” [Entertainment Weekly]

The Tequila Worm

The Tequila Worm

Sofia comes from a family of storytellers. Here are her tales of growing up in the barrio, full of the magic and mystery of family traditions: making Easter cascarones, celebrating el Dia de los Muertos, preparing for quincea–era, rejoicing in the Christmas nacimiento, and curing homesickness by eating the tequila worm. When Sofia is singled out to receive a scholarship to an elite boarding school, she longs to explore life beyond the barrio, even though it means leaving her family to navigate a strange world of rich, privileged kids. It’s a different mundo, but one where Sofia’s traditions take on new meaning and illuminate her path.

The Turning Pointe

The Turning Pointe

A bold and emotionally gripping novel about a teenage Latinx girl finding freedom through dance and breaking expectations in 1980s Minnesota.

We Were Here

We Were Here

Newbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña’s We Were Here is a “fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking” novel [Booklist].

Suncatcher

Suncatcher

Filled with music, passion, supernatural secrets, and family, Jose Pimienta’s Suncatcher brings to life a contemporary story of a girl growng up in Mexicali, with a supernatural twist and a lot of music.

Did you enjoy this list of books to read for Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month? Discover more great books here and get social with us at @getunderlined!

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