A “hero,” un héroe, was rarely in my vocabulary growing up as an only child of two tireless and kind California farmworkers. Speaking and reading only Spanish when I began school made my hero discoveries more difficult.
Yet, my library was rich with storytelling and other “oral” forms of history about Latina and Latino bravery, voyages, and experiments. And it still is the way many Hispanic Americans learn about their heroes. To this day, I sing the corridos,xs ballads of the Mexican Revolución, that Mamá taught me. And my papí’s harmonica—I play it sweetly.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the grape boycott led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta roused a generation of Latina and Latino students, scholars, and community activists to ask: Are the stories about our Latino and Latina heroes, those who came or were born here in the United States, in our libraries? Most of the books had to be written. And they were—filled with lives in search of change, justice, and innovation—and a place they could call home. The books diamond-sparkled with unimaginable heroism.
A “hero,” un héroe, was rarely in my vocabulary growing up as an only child of two tireless and kind California farmworkers. Speaking and reading only Spanish when I began school made my hero discoveries more difficult.
Yet, my library was rich with storytelling and other “oral” forms of history about Latina and Latino bravery, voyages, and experiments. And it still is the way many Hispanic Americans learn about their heroes. To this day, I sing the corridos,xs ballads of the Mexican Revolución, that Mamá taught me. And my papí’s harmonica—I play it sweetly.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the grape boycott led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta roused a generation of Latina and Latino students, scholars, and community activists to ask: Are the stories about our Latino and Latina heroes, those who came or were born here in the United States, in our libraries? Most of the books had to be written. And they were—filled with lives in search of change, justice, and innovation—and a place they could call home. The books diamond-sparkled with unimaginable heroism.
For National Depression Education and Awareness Month in October, we are sharing a collection of titles that educates and informs on depression, including personal stories from those who have experienced depression and topics that range from causes and symptoms of depression to how to develop coping mechanisms to battle depression.
In celebration of the Halloween season, we are sharing horror books that are aligned with the themes of the holiday: the sometimes unknown and scary creatures and witches. From classic ghost stories and popular novels that are celebrated today, in literature courses and beyond, to contemporary stories about the monsters that hide in the dark, our list
For LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, we’re celebrating the shared history of individuals within the community and the importance of the activists who have fought for their rights and the rights of others. We acknowledge the varying and diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community that have shaped history and have led the way for those
