The Reading and Writing Nook

Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to celebrate diverse voices and stories in the classroom. One powerful way to honor this month is by choosing meaningful read alouds that highlight Hispanic culture, identity, and experiences. Not only do these stories help students connect to different perspectives, but they also spark important conversations about family, community, and belonging.

Here are three of the best Hispanic Heritage Month read alouds to share with your students. CLICK HERE for three free activities that go with each book!

Islandborn by Junot Díaz
In Islandborn, author Junot Díaz tells the story of Lola, a young girl who doesn’t remember the island where she was born. When her teacher asks the class to draw a picture of their first home, Lola turns to her family and neighbors to learn about her roots. The book is filled with colorful memories, both joyful and challenging, and highlights the importance of cultural identity.

Teaching idea: After reading, have students interview a family member about their own family history or a special place. They can then create a map of memories.

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Yuyi Morales’ award-winning picture book Dreamers is a beautifully illustrated memoir about her journey to the United States with her infant son. Through her story, Morales highlights the struggles and triumphs of immigration, the power of libraries, and the resilience of families. The book is both visually stunning and deeply inspiring.

Teaching idea: Encourage students to reflect on their own dreams for the future. They can write or illustrate a page for a class “Dreamers Book” to celebrate how everyone’s dreams contribute to the classroom community.

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma and How She Got Her Name tells the story of a little girl who thinks her name is too long, until her father explains the meaning behind each part of it. Through these stories, Alma learns about her ancestors and discovers pride in her heritage.

Teaching idea: Have students explore the meaning or story behind their own names as they create an Identity Name Tag. The name tag consists of symbols and visuals about their identities.

CLICK HERE for ready-to-print activities and student instructions that accompany all of these books. Try them out, and let me know what your students create!