Books and Events to Celebrate Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place each year from September 15 – October 15 and honors the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latine Americans. This year, you can celebrate the numerous contributions of Hispanic and Latine individuals to the fabric of the United States with events, books, and materials from the library.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Hispanic/Latine peoples in the Northern Colorado area, explore the Fort Collins History Connection or previous collections of local stories from the library.
Events for Hispanic Heritage Month
Noche familiar de Loteria
Wednesday, October 1
5:00 – 6:30 PM, Old Town Library
Presented in Spanish. Registration required.
Papel Picado Workshop for Teens
Tuesday, October 7
5:30 – 7:00 PM, Old Town Library
Celebrando Día de Muertos con Memo Plastilina
Friday, October 17
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Council Tree Library
Presented in Spanish. Registration Required.
Spotlight on Hispanic/Latine Voices and Experiences
Check these and many other books by Hispanic/Latine authors at Poudre Libraries. Thanks to New York Public Library and PBS for their recommendations.
Recent Pura Belpré Award Winners
Young Adult Author Award Winner
Shut up, this is serious
Carolina Ixta
Belén Dolores Itzel del Toro wants the normal stuff: to experience love or maybe have a boyfriend or at least just lose her virginity. But nothing is normal in East Oakland. Her father left her family. She’s at risk of not graduating. And Leti, her super-Catholic, nerdy-ass best friend, is pregnant—by the boyfriend she hasn’t told her parents about, because he’s Black, and her parents are racist. Things are hella complicated. Weighed by a depression she can’t seem to shake, Belén helps Leti, hangs out with an older guy, and cuts a lot of class. She soon realizes, though, that distractions are only temporary. Leti is becoming a mother. Classmates are getting ready for college. But what about Belén? What future is there for girls like her?
Pura Belpre Award
Saints of the household
Ari Tison
When brothers Max and Jay help a classmate in trouble, they struggle with the consequences of their violent actions and worry they may be more like their abusive father than they thought, so the brothers turn to their Bribri roots to find their way forward.
Pura Belpre Award
Author / Illustrator Award Winner
Mexikid : en español
Pedro Martín
Unas memorias gráficas conmovedoras, hilarantes e inolvidables sobre la familia de un niño mexicano-estadounidense y su viaje lleno de aventuras para traer a su abuelo de regreso de México para vivir con ellos.
Pura Belpre Award
Mexikid : a graphic memoir
Pedro Martin
Pedro Martin 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.
The dream catcher
Marcelo Verdad
A Mexican child who works selling dream catchers alongside his abuelito learns that treasuring the present moment is as important as chasing one's hopes and dreams for the future.
Pura Belpre Award
