Latinx Book Recommendations for Cinco de Mayo -2021

Hello everyone! Happy Cinco de Mayo! I hope you have a wonderful day, eat something yummy, and spend some time with people you love!

For this holiday, I wanted to put together a list of amazing book recommendations to celebrate Latinx, Hispanic, and Caribbean heritage.

I understand that I am not an OwnVoices reviewer, but I would like to share some of the books that have provided me with wonderful perspectives on Latinx culture and experiences. I have tried to select books by OwnVoices authors, and I would love to get your feedback on anything amiss so I can continue to learn and grow.

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Latinx Books I Recommend

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

• This stunning YA book tells the story of Yadriel, a trans boy who is determined to prove his gender to his traditional Latinx family by passing on a ghost like a true Brujo before the Dia de Muertos celebration.

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

• This addictive adult romance novel is about a soap opera star, Jasmine trying to take control of her life and falling in love with her costar, Ashton.

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

• This heartbreaking young adult book is about Efrén trying to hold his life together when his mother gets deported to Tijuana, Mexico and he does everything he can to get her back.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

• This breathtaking story about a plane crash from the Dominican Republic to New York City which shook the lives of the Dominican culture in America- especially the lives of two young girls living across the sea and sharing a father without knowing their shared stories.

Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno

• This upbeat rom-com is about a family curse for love, the ocean, and Rosa Santos’s fear of the missing out on her Cuban heritage.

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

• Although this book takes place mainly in London, it tells the story of Lila, a young Cuban-American girl who is trying to overcome a broken heart by baking her abuela’s favorite Cuban food.

Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez

• This fantastical book draws inspiration from Bolivian culture and politics, and it follows the fascinating character, Ximena as she infiltrates the capital to try and help her people dismantle the usurpers.

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Latinx Books I Can’t Wait to Read

Lobizona by Romina Garber

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L Sánchez

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maritza Moulite

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

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Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? I would love to hear your thoughts or any other Latinx books that you have enjoyed!

Be safe, Stay strong, and Change the world!!! ❤️🏳️‍🌈✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏻✊🏼🏳️‍🌈❤️