During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), Jackson Public Schools is proud to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. One of the most impactful ways our scholars, families, and staff can participate in this observance is through the power of literature.

Reading books by Hispanic and Latino authors provides our scholars with opportunities to see their own lived experiences reflected in stories while opening doors to different cultures, perspectives, and histories across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.

Aligned with the Profile of a JPS Graduate, which emphasizes developing civically engaged and globally minded scholars, this recommended reading list spans PreK through 12th grade. Featuring award-winning picture books, middle-grade adventures, novel-in-verse poetry, and high school literature, these titles explore themes of family, resilience, identity, and community leadership.

We encourage families to explore these titles at home, visit their local public library, and engage in conversations about the stories that shape our shared world.

Hispanic Heritage Month Reading List
PreK	Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal	A heartwarming story about a young girl who learns the rich family history behind her long name.
Kindergarten	Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina	A tender story of a young girl helping her Spanish-speaking grandmother learn English while learning Spanish herself.
1st Grade	Plátanos Go with Everything by Lissette Norman	A vibrant celebration of Dominican culture, family, and food traditions centered around plátanos.
2nd Grade	Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise	A biographical picture book about Puerto Rico’s first Latina librarian in New York City.
3rd Grade	Juana & Lucas by Juana Medina	An illustrated chapter book set in Bogotá, Colombia, following a spunky young girl navigating school and everyday life.
4th Grade	The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas	A Cuban-American boy uses his secret ability to talk to animals to save his town from a mythical monster.
5th Grade	Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan	A classic story of a wealthy Mexican girl forced to flee to a California farm labor camp during the Great Depression.
6th Grade	Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina	Newbery Medal Winner following a Cuban-American middle schooler navigating family responsibilities and sixth-grade drama.
7th Grade	Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya	An eighth-grader travels to Puerto Rico to search for his estranged father and discovers his heritage along the way.
8th Grade	The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya	A funny and heartwarming story set in Miami about family, first love, and community activism to save a family restaurant.
9th Grade	The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo	A novel in verse about an Afro-Latina teenager in Harlem finding her voice through slam poetry.
10th Grade	Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez	Set in Argentina, a powerful novel about a young woman striving to become an international soccer star against cultural expectations.
11th Grade	Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz	A coming-of-age story exploring identity, family, and friendship between two Mexican-American teenagers.
12th Grade	Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz	A memoir recounting a tumultuous youth in Puerto Rico and Miami, addressing resilience, identity, and belonging.