DoSomething Banned Books List: Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve compiled a list of some of our “must-read, cannot miss” banned or challenged books by Hispanic or Latiné authors.

The Latiné Diaspora in the United States is made up of many different cultures and ethnicities with roots from over 20 different countries, and a variety of languages beyond Spanish and English. There is no one monolithic Latiné experience. Members of the Latiné community have been part of the US for centuries, and some are new arrivals due to immigration escaping poverty, violence, and oppressive governments. But they are part of the neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States, and they are the highest growing population of eligible voters in the United States. The impact of the Latiné community in the US has become increasingly prominent, in fact, there has even been a bipartisan effort to bring a museum about the American Latiné experience to the Smithsonian Institution.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and acknowledge the contributions of Latiné individuals to our society, we must also confront the ongoing challenges that they face. By reading a book from this list, you’ll help challenge the dominant narratives that have been imposed on Latiné communities, empower their voices, and promote greater cultural understanding and respect.

Then be sure to share your reflections with us through our Uncensored: Hispanic Heritage Month action, and be eligible to earn a $500 scholarship!

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (2017) by Erika L. Sanchez

The book’s main character Julia must put her family back together after a tragic accident befell her sister Olga. As Julia mourns the death of her sister she also struggles to find out more about Olga’s life as she may not have been “the perfect Mexican daughter” her family thought she was. If you want to find out more about Olga’s story, and the secrets she kept from her family, add Sanchez’s book to your road trip or vacay!

Before We Were Free (2002) by Julia Alvarez

Set in the Dominican Republic during the 1960s, this historical novel tells the story of 12-year-old Anita, who comes of age during the final days of the Trujillo dictatorship. Alvarez explores themes of political repression, family loyalty, and the longing for freedom through Anita’s poignant narrative.

Clap When You Land (2020) by Elizabeth Acevedo

This novel-in-verse tells the story of two sisters, Camino and Yahaira, who are unaware of each other’s existence until their father dies in a plane crash. Set in the Dominican Republic and New York City, the story explores grief, family secrets, and the complexities of sisterhood as the girls navigate their new realities.

Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation (2014) by Duncan Tonatiuh

This picture book tells the true story of Sylvia Mendez and her family’s pivotal role in the fight for school desegregation in California, seven years before Brown v. Board of Education. With striking illustrations and accessible text, Tonatiuh highlights an important but often overlooked chapter in American civil rights history.

Dreaming in Cuban (1992) by Cristina García

Cristina García’s debut novel tells the story of three generations of Cuban women divided by exile and differing political beliefs. Set against the backdrop of Cuba’s revolution, the novel interweaves the personal and political, exploring themes of identity, memory, and the enduring bonds of family.

The House of the Spirits (1982) by Isabel Allende

A landmark of Latin American literature, this multigenerational novel chronicles the lives of the Trueba family, set against the backdrop of Chile’s social and political upheaval. Allende blends magical realism with historical fiction to explore themes of love, power, and the inescapable ties of family.

More Happy Than Not (2015) by Adam Silvera

This YA novel centers on Aaron Soto, a teenager grappling with grief, identity, and the complexities of his sexual orientation. Set in a near-future Bronx where a memory-altering procedure is possible, Silvera weaves a poignant story about self-discovery, love, and the importance of memory.