To celebrate Latine Heritage Month, I’ve gathered nineteen Latine stories I love. Whether you long to adventure through the Maya underworld alongside the god of death in Jazz Age Mexico, explore Colombia’s underground queer scene in the 1990s, or join forces with a ghost you accidentally summoned as Día de los Muertos nears, I’ve got the story for you.
Ancient Night by David Bowles; illustrated by David Álvarez
An enchanting, beautiful, and calming picture book with sweeping illustrations, inspired by Mesoamerican mythology.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Here by Autumn Krause
A lyrical and immersive young adult (YA) historical fantasy infused with a haunting gothic atmosphere, tall tales, and a Faustian bargain, set in 1836.
Burnout Summer by Jenna Ramirez
A sunny, swoony, and vibrant contemporary romance of burnout, friendship, and love, set in Rhode Island.
Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya
An exhilarating and romantic YA fantasy filled with love, dark magic, circus whimsy, and a wonderful ostrich.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
A spellbinding YA contemporary fantasy threaded with Latine culture and traditions—including Día de los Muertos—and brimming with ghosts, queer love, brujx, found family, and mystery.
Gods of Jade & Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A sweeping and riveting historical fantasy set in Jazz Age Mexico, filled with Mexican folklore, adventure, and love.
Into the Mighty Sea by Arlene Abundis; illustrated by Cynthia Alonso
A glimmering, vivid, and heartfelt picture book of big emotions, family, and art, complete with stunning illustrations.
Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie
An emotional, heartwarming YA novel threaded with Shakespeare, Spanglish, and queer community.
Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You by Julián Delgado Lopera
A poignant, vibrant, and raw literary fiction novel brimming with Spanglish, Colombian culture, family, queer history, and a pinch of magical realism.
Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez
A touching and welcoming YA novel of coming out, love, sexuality, friendship, and discovering who you are.
Salt and Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho
A heartwarming and charming Romeo & Juliet-inspired YA rom-com set in Brazil, brimming with scrumptious baking scenes and swoon-worthy romance.
Salvación by Sandra Proudman
A thrilling, immersive YA fantasy of magic, adventure, family, and love, inspired by El Zorro.
The Huntsman and the Witches by Abraham Matias; illustrated by Molly Mendoza
A vivid, captivating, and witty picture book inspired by a Mexican folktale, filled with lush illustrations and a stunning celebration of Mexican folklore, food, and imagery.
The Last Vampire by Romina Garber
A romantic and addictive YA gothic fantasy that is a love letter to classics, set at an eerie boarding school with an intriguing twist on vampires.
The Other Moctezuma Girls by Sofia Robleda
A captivating and propulsive historical fiction novel set in sixteenth-century Mexico and filled with adventure, mouthwateringly delicious food descriptions, and sweeping historical details.
The Quince Project by Jessica Parra
A sweet, fun, and hopeful YA contemporary novel of grief, joy, love, and rewriting your happily ever after, filled with Southern California adventures, quinceañera planning, and adorable romances.
These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban
An atmospheric, haunting YA contemporary fantasy inspired by the myth of La Cegua, threaded with chilling horror and romance.
We Could Be Anyone by Anna-Marie McLemore
A gripping, sharp YA thriller with a glamorous and haunting gothic atmosphere, Latine culture, mythology, and tender queer romances, set during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
A sweeping and fierce YA fantasy of celestial magic, love, and politics, inspired by Bolivian history.
Brimming with Latine culture, folklore, food, and family, these brilliant books are perfect to kick off the Latine Heritage Month celebration. Happy reading, and Happy Latine Heritage Month!
