6 Amazing Middle Grade Books by Latinx Authors

Hi everyone! Today I have another post to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, this time is a recommendation list of some middle grade books by Latinx authors that I LOVE! I didn’t use to read middle grade but last year started to give them a chance and I discover that middle grade books are actually comforting and hopeful and exactly what I need sometimes. Since then I have read a few of them mostly by Latinx authors and I decided to share some of my favorites!

Without further ado, here are my recommendations:

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Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

This is my favorite middle grade, the story is magical and hilarious and so, so special. Sal and Gabi’s voices are captivating and fun. I loved the Cuban rep and the representation of non-traditional families. It also has very interesting Sci-fi elements that included making holes in reality and reaching other universes. Beyond that, the main strength of the book is the touching and honest way in which Carlos Hernandez addresses a child’s experience with grief. While it’s overall a very hopeful, funny book, it’s also a little bit heartbreaking. (Amazon)

Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega

This middle grade fantasy is inspired by Dominican folklore and it includes ghosts, magic, a lovely friendship between two wonderful girls, a cat, a conspiracy, accidentally freeing evil spirits, fun family dynamics, and nice and helpful adults that actually listen to kids. It also deals with grief in a very interesting way because it’s tied to the Dominican folklore. I love how unapologetically Latinx this book is from the food to the music to the chanclas and the folklore. (Amazon)

A Dash of Trouble by Anna Merino

This book has a very interesting concept in which magic is performed through baking, so this Mexican- American family owns a bakery and does spells there. Part of this book takes place during the Día de los Muertos which was really cool, and the plot revolves around a girl trying to do spells in secret that don’t go according to plan. The best part about this book is the complicated but loving relationship between sisters. (Amazon)

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Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older

This book has one of the most unique and weirder premises I have encounter, it’s an alternative history where there are Dinasours in New York during the Civil War. It’s the perfect set up to address serious topics like racism and slavery in a middle grade book while following Afro-Latinx and Black kids on an adventure. This book has amazing writing, lovable characters, and cool dinosaurs! (Amazon)

Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar

This book tells a powerful and heartbreaking story of a Mexican girl living in the States, and it addresses the nightmare that thousands of people are currently living in the United States thanks to the zero-tolerance policies and mass deportations of the current government. The poetry in the book is so evocative and the fact that it’s a little girl, who doesn’t entirely understand what’s happening, the one that tells the story makes it even more effective in transmitting how devastating the whole situation is. This book is heartbreaking in a way that only fantastic books can be. (Amazon + Review)

The Dream Weaver by Reina Luz Alegre

A very sweet middle grade that deals with hard subjects like grief and complicated family dynamics. Despite all that, this book tells such a hopeful and happy story about giving yourself time to figure out your dreams, fighting for them but also allowing them to change with time. One of the strengths of this book is the discussion of now feeling Latinx enough thanks to not speaking the language, not eating the “right” food all the time, and other things like that. This book includes a bowling team, sleepovers, friendships, a strong sibling relationship, and a lovable grandfather. (Amazon)

Are you a fan of middle grade books? Which ones would you recommend?

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