Help me enrich a US Middle School library's Spanish-language collection
March 26, 2024 12:21 PM Subscribe
One of my friends is a middle school principal in a very conservative district. I have been sending him lots of progressive and LGBTQ+ Young Adult books and graphic novels for the school library, and he is thrilled to report that those titles are almost constantly checked out! I'm looking for more.
They have a lot of Spanish-speaking students, and a great need for Spanish-language books. The school is in the US, grade 6 through 8, so roughly 11-14 years old. I would love recommendations for Spanish-language progressive or LGBTQ+ positive titles, fiction or non-fiction, please!
English language titles that have been a big hit:
-Magical Boy, Vol 1 and 2 by The Kao (graphic novel)
-Heartstopper and related titles, by Alice Oseman
-Me and White Supremacy (Young Readers Edition) by Layla F. Saad
-White Fragility (Adapted for Young Adults) by Dr. Robin DiAngelo, adapted by Tony Graves Williamson and Ali Michael
-Gay Club by Simon James Green
-You Only Live Once, David Bravo by Mark Oshiro
-The Conductors and The Undertakers by Nicole Glover
I'm looking for similar titles to these, in Spanish language. I'm especially interested in books that tell stories of Spanish-speaking kids or teens in the US. If you have an English-language title that you are reeeeeally positive about, I'd love to hear about that, too. Thanks!
They have a lot of Spanish-speaking students, and a great need for Spanish-language books. The school is in the US, grade 6 through 8, so roughly 11-14 years old. I would love recommendations for Spanish-language progressive or LGBTQ+ positive titles, fiction or non-fiction, please!
English language titles that have been a big hit:
-Magical Boy, Vol 1 and 2 by The Kao (graphic novel)
-Heartstopper and related titles, by Alice Oseman
-Me and White Supremacy (Young Readers Edition) by Layla F. Saad
-White Fragility (Adapted for Young Adults) by Dr. Robin DiAngelo, adapted by Tony Graves Williamson and Ali Michael
-Gay Club by Simon James Green
-You Only Live Once, David Bravo by Mark Oshiro
-The Conductors and The Undertakers by Nicole Glover
I'm looking for similar titles to these, in Spanish language. I'm especially interested in books that tell stories of Spanish-speaking kids or teens in the US. If you have an English-language title that you are reeeeeally positive about, I'd love to hear about that, too. Thanks!
Best answer: Heartstopper is available in Spanish.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:32 PM on March 26 [2 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:32 PM on March 26 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Mexikid by Pedro Martín - funny middle grade/early YA graphic novel, won the 2024 Pura Belpré award (Outstanding works of literature for children and young adults that best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience) Perusing the list of Pura Belpré book award winners could give you some other great ideas too.
Srta Quinces by Kat Fajardo
Frizzy/Rizos
Elizabeth Acevedo's books are available in Spanish editions, as are Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give)
Lakelore is YA fantasy about two non-binary teens
posted by lizard music at 5:50 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
Srta Quinces by Kat Fajardo
Frizzy/Rizos
Elizabeth Acevedo's books are available in Spanish editions, as are Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give)
Lakelore is YA fantasy about two non-binary teens
posted by lizard music at 5:50 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]
Mexikid is awesome. My elementary son and I read it together.
posted by chuke at 1:24 PM on March 27 [2 favorites]
posted by chuke at 1:24 PM on March 27 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The House on Mango Street has been translated into Spanish.
posted by brujita at 5:48 PM on March 27
posted by brujita at 5:48 PM on March 27
Response by poster: Thanks for all the replies; this will be a great start!
posted by xedrik at 8:52 AM on March 28
posted by xedrik at 8:52 AM on March 28
I think you should decide a bit what your goal is. If it's providing literature that kids can see themselves in, then you should not just look at whether the book is in Spanish but also whether it has culturally relevant content.
On the other hand, if it's just to get more high-value books into kids hands, then translations of e.g. hearstopper are great. That is a particular nice one, because of the queer representation.
My go-to on all of these topics is We Need Diverse Books. They both have lists and grants that individual schools can apply for. Perhaps you could help your friend apply for one.
I had found a nice resource list of Spanish language middle readers, but I am having trouble finding it again. It might have been this. You could also reach out to a librarian of a bilingual middle school and see what is most popular.
Adjacent to what you're asking for, and since I've been using these sites to expand my kids' reading options:
For books with Native/Indigenous content and authors, I also recommend American Indians in Children's Literature.
We recently read Healer of the Water Monster from that (in English), and it was wonderful. More books like that are available here.
posted by lab.beetle at 11:15 AM on March 28
On the other hand, if it's just to get more high-value books into kids hands, then translations of e.g. hearstopper are great. That is a particular nice one, because of the queer representation.
My go-to on all of these topics is We Need Diverse Books. They both have lists and grants that individual schools can apply for. Perhaps you could help your friend apply for one.
I had found a nice resource list of Spanish language middle readers, but I am having trouble finding it again. It might have been this. You could also reach out to a librarian of a bilingual middle school and see what is most popular.
Adjacent to what you're asking for, and since I've been using these sites to expand my kids' reading options:
For books with Native/Indigenous content and authors, I also recommend American Indians in Children's Literature.
We recently read Healer of the Water Monster from that (in English), and it was wonderful. More books like that are available here.
posted by lab.beetle at 11:15 AM on March 28
Also, Witch Boy is available in Spanish and English , though may be slightly too young. My 5th grader loved it.
posted by lab.beetle at 11:18 AM on March 28
posted by lab.beetle at 11:18 AM on March 28
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me llamo Rigoberta Menchu y asi me nacio la conceincia by Rigoberta Menchú
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posted by MonsieurPEB at 1:56 PM on March 26 [1 favorite]