To kick off a month of tribute to Hispanic Americans, we’ve compiled a list of our five favorite young-adult books written by Hispanic* authors, whose protagonists are shaping how teens see identity, race, and growing up.

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
A clutch-it-to-your-chest-you-love-it-so-much kind of book. Mexican-American Gabi, a blossoming poet, is trying to make her way in a difficult world, with a father addicted to meth and weight issues, teen pregnancy, sexuality, and much more on her mind.

 

 

 

 

Death, Dickinson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Frenchie lives just down the street from the grave of Emily Dickinson. As she investigates the suicide of the guy she had a crush on, she retraces the steps of their last night together and tries to make sense of death.

 

 

 

 

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina
Piddy, a high-school sophomore in Queens, doesn’t even know Yaqui Delgado, but the aggressive bully is ruining her life.

 

 

 

 

 

A Thunderous Whisper by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Historical fiction at its best: A Basque girl and a Jewish German boy meet just before the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.

 

 

 

 

 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
This coming-of-age story—about two boys’ growing friendship, finding an identity, and accepting your family’s past and unlocking your own future—won a well-deserved array of awards.

 

 

 

 

*We’re using this definition of “Hispanic”—someone who speaks Spanish.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your picks, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend.

And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for 100 new recommendations every month!