It is a fact that Hispanic children represent slightly more than 20 percent of all children under age five in the United States and yet, only 14 percent of Latino fourth-graders and nine percent of eighth-graders can read at…
LatinaLista — It’s said that one of the most popular rooms of any house is the kitchen. It’s where families come together for a variety of reasons — to eat, to cook and most of all to bond with…
LatinaLista — Last week, several lucky Latino writers and illustrators were honored at the 11th International Latino Book Awards ceremony held in conjunction with the national BookExpo America conference in New York City. Book genres spanned from Best Picture…
LatinaLista — May is Latino Books Month. Founded by Latina author Pat Mora in 1996, the annual month-long observance is meant to highlight and elevate Latino-authored books, as well as, promote literacy among Latinos of all ages. Some publishers…
LatinaLista — It’s said that everyone has at least one good story in them. Well, if you have a novel that’s already written and just sitting in that kitchen drawer or the story is still swimming around in your…
LatinaLista — A couple of weeks ago, Latina Lista posted an op-ed about the unbelievable fact that it’s been 43 years since a Newbery-awarded book had a Latino protagonist character. We didn’t even really touch on the next most…
LatinaLista — It’s not too farfetched to say that a lot of people are already looking at President-elect Barack Obama as a real-life Superhero who will save the U.S. from spiraling into self-destruction. As Spider-Man dangles behind the new…
LatinaLista — While the Obama Administration would prefer to make race a footnote issue, a new study illustrates that race is very much an issue regarding Newbery-awarded children’s books and warrants serious attention. While every New Year is seen…
LatinaLista — Probably the most coveted award for any children’s book author is the Newberry Award. Given by the American Library Association (ALA) for the past 86 years to those authors whose works were deemed the best literature for…
LatinaLista — Stories about Santa Claus are always sure to be kid-pleasers. What child doesn’t like to hear how Santa Claus and his team of reindeer will battle the clock and blizzards to make children’s wishes come true? Yet,…
LatinaLista — Now more than ever, the issue of school readiness for young children is on the minds of not just parents but politicians and policy makers as the country finds itself lacking the necessary high-skilled labor force it…
LatinaLista — One of the many definitions of art is that “art is a human activity, made with the intention of stimulating thoughts and emotions. ” Whether it’s prehistoric stick figures, classic Madonna images, leafy landscapes, tortured self-portraits, psychedelic…
LatinaLista — Comedian Bill Santiago is well known for using language to make people laugh. Now in his new book Pardon My Spanglish: One Man’s Guide to Speaking Habla (Quirk Books 2008), Santiago applies that comedic talent while serving…
LatinaLista — The Bacardi family name is synonymous with rum. It is an association that has proven profitable financially, socially and politically. Yet, the Bacardi legacy entails more than just creating a well-known brand — it’s about sustaining a…
Norma Garcia’s only daughter Jasmine died in a horrible car accident. Though she continually feels her daughter’s loss, it was an experience that propelled this young mother to chart a new destiny for herself and others. LatinaLista — On…
An unlikely motive is the impetus for author Stephanie Elizondo Griest to embark on an 8-month journey throughout Mexico in search of her family’s roots. What she uncovers is a connection that doesn’t just link families but countries. “If…
Congresswomen and sisters Loretta and Linda Sánchez grew up the daughters of Mexican immigrants in California. Being bilingual and bicultural, the women share how they balanced both worlds to achieve the ultimate American Dream. LatinaLista — Linda and Loretta…
By Sheryl Luna LatinaLista — A review of the history of the Southwest reveals the impact of attitudes and treatment of early Mexican Americans that have evolved to define today’s perceptions of Hispanics. In Manifest Destinies: The Making of the…
LatinaLista — There’s a new book blog in cyberspace these days. Yet, unlike Latina Lista’s own Bookshelf that basically reviews non-fiction books for the adult market, the Latin Baby Book Club (LBBC) reviews books — can you guess —…
An aerospace research scientist creates a Mayan tale to introduce young readers to the magic and science of space exploration. LatinaLista — Space exploration. The topic has been so romanticized and sensationalized on the big and little screens that…
LatinaLista — Back when former LA Times reporter Sonia Nazario decided to record the story of one boy’s journey from Honduras to the United States, through gang-infested areas of Guatemala and Mexico riding on the dangerous roofs of moving…
While proudly recounting his time in the service, retired Major General Freddie Valenzuela challenges the military to promote a new attitude towards recognizing and remembering Hispanic soldiers’ contributions. LatinaLista — Retired Major General Freddie Valenzuela, a decorated 33-year Army…
By Sheryl Luna | Latina Lista Longtime television journalist Geraldo Rivera challenges the public rhetoric and media perception of what defines today’s U.S. Hispanics, and in the process, crafts a personal portrait that is under-reported in the news. Geraldo…
Book editor Marcela Landres discovers her true destiny is to help Latino writers find publishing success in a competitive industry. LatinaLista — Marcela Landres was on her way to making her parents proud as the first one in her…
Latin cuisine takes center stage in a new diet book that mixes cultural anecdotes, psychology and traditional ingredients to create a slimming regimen. LatinaLista — What’s not to like about a diet plan that appeals to cultural pride, does…
