Literacy isn’t just reading words on a page, it’s about building knowledge, celebrating identity, and connecting with the diverse stories that shape our world. This Latinx Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the power of culturally relevant texts. When we bring in texts that reflect our lived experiences, histories, and cultures, we build stronger classrooms and deeper world knowledge. September is also a time when many Latin American countries celebrate their independence:
As educators, we know culturally relevant texts deepen world knowledge and honor identity. By reading works that come from or highlight a specific country, we connect history, culture, and literacy in powerful ways. Here are a few suggestions:
- Costa Rica: Cocorí by Joaquín Gutiérrez A classic from Costa Rica explores place, race, and nature.
- El Salvador: One Day of Life (Un Día en la Vida) by Manila Argueta is a novel set just before the Salvadoran Civil War, showing daily life, struggles, and political repression.
- Guatemala: Men of Maize (Hombres de Maíz) by Miguel Ángel Asturias explores Maya cosmology, land, resistance vs modernization and provides a strong sense of indigenous worldview.
- Honduras: Blanca Olmedo by Lucila Gamero de Medina combines romance with social critique of corruption and class.
- Nicaragua: To Bury Our Fathers: A Novel of Nicaragua by Sergio Ramirez is a panoramic novel about dictatorship, politics, memory; blends personal and political stories.
- Mexico: Dreamers / Soñadores by Yuyi Morales is a beautiful memoir / picture book that explores immigration and identity.
- Chile: Palomita Blanca by Enrique Lafourcade shows youth culture, social change in Chile pre-Allende era.
- Belize: An Anthology of Belizean Literature: English, Creole, Spanish, Garifuna edited by Víctor Manuel Durán captures Belizean identity, colonial history, folklore, culture.
What are some of your favorites?
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