2008 National Theme

Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Community, Our Nation

This list has been compiled by the Multicultural Enrichment Committee of the Public Libraries of Saginaw. We hope that you will read and enjoy the titles that we have recommended. They have been selected to reflect the rich heritage of Hispanic history and contemporary Hispanic culture. Please click on each title to enter the catalog for book availability.

View the special events we have planned to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2008!

Stories for Young Children

Bebé Goes to the Beach by Susan Middleton Elya
A baby and his mother spend a day at the beach. E

Cheech the School Bus Driver by Cheech Marin
When students who ride Cheech’s school bus enter the Battle of the Bands, they are willing to try most anything to prove that mariachi can beat rock-and-roll. E

Fiesta Fiasco by Ann Whitford Paul
When shopping for Culebra’s birthday, Conejo convinces his friends to buy all the wrong presents. E

A First Tortilla: A Bilingual Story by Rudolfo Anaya
Guided by a hummingbird, Jade brings an offering to the Mountain Spirit who lives near her village in Mexico, and asks if he will send rain to end the drought that threatens the people. E

Let’s Eat! = A Comer! by Pat Mora
Bilingual text describes a family as they sit
down to a table filled with good food. E

The Moon is La Luna: Silly Rhymes in English and Spanish by Jay Harris
Easy-to-read text introduces Spanish words and rhymes them with English ones that are sometimes very different, as well as providing advice on using words that are much the same. E

N is for Navidad by Susan Middleton Elya
A rhyming book that outlines the preparations for the celebration of the Christmas season, with Spanish words for each letter of the alphabet translated in a glossary. E

Oh, Brother! by Nikki Grimes
Xavier is unhappy when his mother remarries and he suddenly has a new stepbrother, as well as a stepfather, in his home. E

Oh No, Gotta Go #2 by Susan Middleton Elya
On her way back from a picnic with her parents, a little girl who did not need to “tinkle” suddenly remembers that there is more than one reason to visit the restroom. E

Papa and Me by Arthur Dorros
A boy tells about a special day with his father, recounting their adventures from waking up in the morning until they arrive at Abuela and Abuelo's house in the evening. E

Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones by Judith Byron Schachner
Holy guacamole!  The Siamese kitty boy who thinks he’s a Chihuahua is hunting the rarest dino of them all, the fabled Skipposaurus. E

Stories for Older Children

Capoeira: Game! Dance! Martial Art! by George Ancona
From its beginnings in Brazil, Capoeira is becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Action packed photos and lively text explain this exciting game. J 793.31 An

Celebrate!  It’s Cinco de Mayo! by Janice Levy
Simple text and color illustrations present the historical background and contemporary celebration of the Cinco de Mayo holiday. J 394.262 Le

Ellen Ochoa: First Latina Astronaut by Lila and Rick Guzmán
This inspiring biography of the first Latina astronaut is part of a series of biographies focusing on famous Latinos. J B Ochoa, E

Frida: Viva la Vida = Long Live Life by Carmen Bernier-Grand
Biographical poems about the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. J B Kahlo, F

Hispanic-American Crafts Kids Can Do! by Fay Robinson
From maracas to yarn art, these fun crafts celebrate Hispanic culture. Made with low-cost materials, they are perfect for any family. J 745.5 Ro

Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale retold by Carmen Agra Deedy
In this humorous retelling of a Cuban folktale, a cockroach interviews her suitors to decide whom to marry. J 398.2 De

Paint the Wind by Pam Muñoz Ryan
After her grandmother has a stroke, Maya, an orphan, leaves her life in California to stay with her mother’s family on a remote Wyoming ranch, where she discovers a love of horses. J Fiction

The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle
Juan Francisco Manzano was born in 1797 into the household of wealthy slave owners in Cuba.  He spent his early years at the side of his owner’s wife, entertaining her friends.  His poetry was his outlet, reflecting the beauty and cruelty of his world.
J 811.54 En

Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico! by Pat Mora
“From blueberries to vanilla, indigenous food of the Americas is celebrated in this collection of haiku, which also includes information about each food’s origins.” J 811.54 Mo

Stories for Teens

Estrella’s Quinceañera by Malín Alegría
The story of Estrella’s fight for independence from her loving but strict family is wrought with humor, but remains poignant and true. A teen's journey through the maze of culture and class is deftly handled. YA

Gamma Glamma by Kim Flores
With one fateful science project, Luz Santos risks losing her best friend and her reputation on national TV. YA

Getting It by Alex Sanchez
Carlos Amoroso, 15, loves video games, junk food, and hanging out with his buddies. The only thing he can't do is get a date with sexy, popular Roxy Rodriguez. After watching “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”,  he approaches a gay classmate, Sal, for a makeover. YA

Haters by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
From the first day at her new Southern California high school Paski knows that money is everything, and the Haters rule. YA

Latino Athletes by Ian C. Friedman
Brief biographical information on 175 Latinos involved in many different sports from auto racing to tennis and, of course, baseball. YA 796.0922 Fr

Sofi Mendoza’s Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico by Malín Alegría
A teenager’s quick trip across the border gets tricky when she finds out her green card is counterfeit. Culture shock sets in when she is rescued by long-lost relatives in rural Baja. She soon learns she has homes on both sides of the border. YA

Adult Fiction

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Diaz's powerful, inventive, and bighearted family saga takes measure of the Dominican Republic's cruel history as he tells the story of an immigrant "ghetto nerd" and his unforgettable family.

Cover-Up by Michele Martinez
Federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas is back in the action with FBI agent Dan O’Reilly at her side. When a grisly killer targets her, she and Dan figure out what’s important in their lives.

Delirium by Laura Restrepo
In this psychologically gripping novel by acclaimed writer Restrepo, Professor Aguilar uncovers profound dark secrets about his wife’s past to determine how she became mad.

The Faith Healer of Olive Avenue by Manuel Muñoz
This dazzling collection of stories is set in a Mexican-American neighborhood – a place where misunderstandings and secrets shape people’s lives.

God’s Spy by Juan Gómez-Jurado
An award-winning Spanish journalist serves up a fast paced novel about murder and intrigue in the Vatican.

A Handbook to Luck by Cristina Garcia
Garcia’s characters cope with exile, violence and crushed dreams as they struggle for love and freedom. This is her most beautiful, elegiac, and deeply emotional novel yet.        

Adult Non-Fiction

The Art of Mexican Cooking by Diana Kennedy
An acclaimed classic Mexican cookbook is back in print, with authentic regional recipes. It is the culmination of 50 years of living, traveling and cooking in Mexico. 641.5972 Ke

¡Ask a Mexican! by Gustavo Arellano
This book by syndicated columnist Arellano is not for the timid. He gives frank, acerbic answers to serious, curious, sometimes hateful questions about Mexicans under topics including language, sex, immigration and food. 917.2 Ar

Batista Unleashed by Dave Batista with Jeremy Roberts
Professional Wrestler and World Heavyweight Champion, Dave “the Animal” Batista talks about growing up in the worst part of D.C., and  comes clean on the choices he made, and the devastating effects they had on his family. He also reveals his gentler side. B Batista, D

Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits by David Ortiz with Tony Masssarotti
One of the most feared and adored sluggers in baseball tells about his life from growing up impoverished in the Dominican Republic to his growing fame with the Boston Red Sox. B Ortiz, D

The Crafty Chica Collection: Beautiful Ideas for Crafts, Home Decorations and Shrines from the Queen of Latina Style by Kathy Cano-Murillo
Over 60 unique and funky projects include everything from jewelry and home decorations to shrines, shadow boxes and altars. 745.5 Ca

Everything You Need to Know about Latino History by Himilce Novas
Covers the broad spectrum of the history of those who call themselves Latino, whether they are from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, or Central and South America. 973.0468 No

Hugo Chávez by Cristina Marcano & Alberto Barrera Tyszka
This comprehensive biography of Venezuela’s controversial president is an international bestseller, now translated into English. B Chavez, H

Las hijas de Juan: Daughters Betrayed by Josie Méndez-Negrete
This shatters the silence surrounding experiences of incest within a working-class Mexican family. The author reveals how she, her siblings and her mother survived years of violence and sexual abuse at the hands of her father. B Méndez-Negrete, J

Latinization of America: How Hispanics are Changing the Nation’s Sights and Sounds by Eliot Tiegel
The definitive volume on the Latin influence on the entertainment industry:  music, TV, film, theater, dance and sports. 325.272 Ti

The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation Between African-Americans and Hispanics by Earl Ofari Hutchinson
An African-American political analyst confronts the complex issues that conflict and unite Blacks and Latinos, and how both groups interpret those issues through the prism of their experiences. 305.868 Hu

Latinos in a Changing Society edited by Martha Montero-Sieburth and Edwin Meléndez
In a current atmosphere of anger and suspicion towards immigrants, this volume presents data from an analytical perspective about Latinos and their role in a changing society. 305.868 La

Los Republicanos: Why Hispanics and Republicans Need Each Other by Leslie Sanchez
A noted Hispanic marketing expert and political commentator passionately argues that Hispanics, after years of watching Democrats fail them, need to shift their bets to the Republicans. 324.2734 Sa

Saving the Americas: The Dangerous Decline of Latin America and What the U.S. Must Do by Andrés Oppenheimer
A syndicated columnist for the Miami Herald examines the issues confronting Latin American countries and offers a new economic paradigm. He urges them to study what other countries have done to achieve 21st century economic and political success. 338.98 Op

Small Business, Big Life: Five Steps to Creating a Great Life with Your Own Small Business by Louis Barajas
Using his experience as one of AOL’s Latino “Mi Negocio” small business experts, and drawing on the experience of his father, a Mexican immigrant and successful business owner, Barajas gives a plan for success in business and life. 658.022 Ba

Thalia: ¡Belleza! Lessons in Lipgloss and Happiness by Thalia with Belén Aranda-Alvarado
Beauty secrets from Mexican actress and singer Thalia. 646.72 Th

Ugly Betty: The Book by Ann Donahue
A behind the scenes look at the stars that make up the hit TV show “Ugly Betty.” Find out everything you ever wanted to know about Betty’s clothes, her house,  her co-workers,  the goings-on at Mode and much, much more. 791.45 Do

Hispanic Genealogy

These are just a few of the resources available for tracing your family history in the Local History and Genealogy Collection at Hoyt Public Library.

Census Records for Latin America and the Hispanic United States
by Lyman D. Platt

Finding Your Mexican Ancestors
by George & Peggy Ryskamp

Hispanic Arizona, 1536-1856
by James E. Officer

Hispanic Surnames and Family History
by Lyman D. Platt

Index to the Marriage Investigations of the Diocese of Guadalajara Pertaining to the Former Provinces of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Nuevo Santander and Téxas, Volume One: 1653-1750
by Raul Guerra

Mexican-American Genealogical Research: Following the Paper Trail to Mexico
by John Schmal and Donna Morales

Orígens de los Fundadores de Texas, Nuevo México, Coahuila y Nuevo León
by Guillermo Garmendia Leal

A Student’s Guide to Mexican American Genealogy
by George & Peggy Ryskamp

Tracing Your Hispanic Heritage
by George Ryskamp