Welcome to June! Here’s our list of June 2021 Latinx Releases which is filled with tons of exciting young adult and children’s literature! We love to feature a wide range of Latinx authors from adult to children’s, so be sure to submit to our New Books page so we can spotlight your amazing new reads! We hope you snag a few of these books below.
ON-SALE JUNE 1ST, 2021
THE COT IN THE LIVING ROOM | Picture Book
by Hilda Eunice Burgos; illustrated by Gaby D'Alessandro (Kokila/Penguin Random House)
Night after night, a young girl watches her mami set up a cot in the living room for guests in their Washington Heights apartment, like Raquel (who’s boring) and Edgardo (who gets crumbs everywhere). She resents that they get the entire living room with a view of the George Washington Bridge, while all she gets is a tiny bedroom with a view of her sister (who snores). Until one night when no one comes, and it’s finally her chance! But as it turns out, sleeping on the cot in the living room isn’t all she thought it would be.
With charming text by Hilda Eunice Burgos and whimsical illustrations by Gaby D’Alessandro, The Cot in the Living Room is a celebration of the ways a Dominican American community takes care of one another while showing young readers that sometimes the best way to be a better neighbor is by imagining how it feels to spend a night sleeping on someone else’s pillow.
MILES MORALES: SHOCK WAVES | Middle Grade
by Jason Reynolds; illustrated by Pablo Leon (Graphix/Scholastic)
Miles Morales is a normal school kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of Brooklyn as Spider-Man. After a disastrous earthquake strikes his birthplace of Puerto Rico, Miles springs into action to help set up a fundraiser for the devastated island. But when a new student's father goes missing, Miles begins to make connections between the disappearance and a giant corporation sponsoring Mile's fundraiser. Who is behind the disappearance, and how does that relate to Spider-Man?
A true middle grade graphic novel that just happens to star one of Marvel's most popular characters, exciting new voice Justin A. Reynolds (Opposite of Always) creates a riveting story that will connect with new and well-versed comics readers alike.
PALETERO MAN| Picture Book
by Lucky Diaz; illustrated by Micah Player (HarperCollins)
Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all!
What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José!
Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.
Full of musicality, generosity, kindness, and ice pops, this book is sure to satisfy fans of Thank You, Omu! and Carmela Full of Wishes.
Includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author’s note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to a live version of the Lucky Band’s popular song that inspired the book.
THE RICE IN THE POT GOES ROUND AND ROUND| Picture Book
by Wendy Wan-Long Shang; illustrated by Lorian Tu (Orchard Books/Scholastic)
At the table where this family gathers, they share food, laughter, and, most of all, love. Readers of all ages are sure to enjoy slurping noodles, squishing tofu, and tapping chopsticks as they sing along to this familiar tune.
Rhythmic text and playful illustrations bring this heartwarming, mouthwatering story to life. Informative back matter includes a food glossary and etiquette guidelines that are sure to delight and engage young readers.
SHE PERSISTED: SONIA SOTOMAYOR| Middle Grade
by Meg Medina and Chelsea Clinton; illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Penguin Random House)
In this chapter book biography by Meg Medina, the award-winning author of Merci Suarez Changes Gears and Mango, Abuela, and Me, readers learn about the amazing life of Sonia Sotomayor–and how she persisted.
Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina Supreme Court Justice in the history of the United States, but her road there wasn’t easy. She overcame many challenges along the way, including a diagnosis of diabetes at age seven. But she didn’t let that stop her from achieving her dream and inspiring children all over the world to work hard and believe in themselves.
Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton!
SIMONE BREAKS ALL THE RULES| Young Adult
by Debbie Riguad (Scholastic)
Simone Thibodeaux's life is sealed in a boy-proof container.
Her strict Haitian immigrant parents enforce no-dating rules and curfews, and send Simone to an all-girls school. As for prom? Simone is allowed to go on one condition: her parents will select her date (a boy from a nice Haitian immigrant family, obviously).
Simone is desperate to avoid the humiliation of the set up — especially since she's crushing on a boy she knows her parents wouldn't approve of. With senior year coming to a close, Simone makes a decision. She and her fellow late-bloomer friends will create a Senior Year Bucket List of all the things they haven't had a chance to do. On the list: kissing a boy, sneaking out of the house, skipping class (gasp!), and, oh yeah — choosing your own prom date.
But as the list takes on a life of its own, things get more complicated than Simone expected. She'll have to discover which rules are worth breaking, and which will save her from heartbreak.
TWINS VS. TRIPLETS #1: BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLITZ| Middle Grade
by Jennifer Torres; illustrated by Vanessa Flores (HarperCollins)
David can’t wait to go back to school and get far away from his trickster neighbors. But he’s in for a surprise when a set of equally prank-loving triplets move onto his block—and into his class!
Now the twins and triplets are battling for control of the playground and David is stuck in the middle. Can he end the prank war before recess gets cancelled for the whole year?
ON-SALE JUNE 8th, 2021
ARELI IS A DREAMER: A TRUE STORY BY ARELI MORALES, A DACA RECIPIENT| Picture Book
by Areli Morales; illustrated by Luisa Uribe (Penguin Random House)
When Areli was just a baby, her mama and papa moved from Mexico to New York with her brother, Alex, to make a better life for the family–and when she was in kindergarten, they sent for her, too.
Everything in New York was different. Gone were the Saturdays at Abuela’s house, filled with cousins and sunshine. Instead, things were busy and fast and noisy. Areli’s limited English came out wrong, and schoolmates accused her of being illegal. But with time, America became her home. And she saw it as a land of opportunity, where millions of immigrants who came before her paved their own paths. She knew she would, too.
This is a moving story–one that resonates with millions of immigrants who make up the fabric of our country–about one girl living in two worlds, a girl whose DACA application was eventually approved and who is now living her American dream.
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an immigration policy that has provided relief to thousands of undocumented children, referred to as “Dreamers,” who came to the United States as children and call this country home.
CURSE OF THE FORGOTTEN CITY: EMBLEM ISLAND 2| Middle Grade
by Alex Aster (Sourcebooks)
Tor is adjusting to life with the power of the Night Witch, especially with his best friends Engle and Melda by his side. But when a mysterious girl washes up on shore claiming a band of cursed pirates is on their way to Emblem Island, life changes fast.
The girl, Gemma, is from an underwater city that was destroyed by the terrible Calavera pirates and she warns Tor they are now on their way to his home.
The trio of friends must come up with a plan to stop the pirates from getting an ancient relic that would give them the ability to control the high seas, while also protecting all they love from the new danger.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED MILES FROM THE SUN| Young Adult
by Jonny Garza Villa (Amazon Publishing)
Julián Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others that have forced Jules into an inauthentic life.
Then in one reckless moment, with one impulsive tweet, his plans for a low-key nine months are thrown—literally—out the closet. The downside: the whole world knows, and Jules has to prepare for rejection. The upside: Jules now has the opportunity to be his real self.
Then Mat, a cute, empathetic Twitter crush from Los Angeles, slides into Jules’s DMs. Jules can tell him anything. Mat makes the world seem conquerable. But when Jules’s fears about coming out come true, the person he needs most is fifteen hundred miles away. Jules has to face them alone.
Jules accidentally propelled himself into the life he’s always dreamed of. And now that he’s in control of it, what he does next is up to him.
FIRE WITH FIRE| Young Adult
by Destiny Soria (HMH)
Raised to be fierce dragon slayers, two sisters end up on opposite sides of the impending war when one sister forms an unlikely, magical bond with a dragon in this standalone YA contemporary fantasy that's perfect for fans of Slayer and Sorcery of Thorns.
Dani and Eden Rivera were both born to kill dragons, but the sisters couldn't be more different. For Dani, dragon slaying takes a back seat to normal high school life, while Eden prioritizes training above everything else. Yet they both agree on one thing: it's kill or be killed where dragons are concerned.
Until Dani comes face-to-face with one and forges a rare and magical bond with him. As she gets to know Nox, she realizes that everything she thought she knew about dragons is wrong. With Dani lost to the dragons, Eden turns to mysterious and alluring sorcerers to help save her sister. Now on opposite sides of the conflict, each sister will do whatever it takes to save the other. But the two are playing with magic that is more dangerous than they know, and there is another, more powerful enemy waiting for them both in the shadows.
MOTH & BUTTERFLY: TA-DA!| Picture Book
by Dev Petty; illustrated by Ana Aranda (Penguin Random House)
Two caterpillar friends love what they have in common–lots of legs and a talent for chewing leaves into funny shapes. And when it’s time to build cocoons, they hang theirs side by side. “Happy metamorphosis,” says an older, more knowledgeable butterfly. And it is a happy metamorphosis indeed–for when the two emerge from their cocoons, they can fly! But so much else has changed–as one is now a moth, who flies by night, and the other is a butterfly, who flies by day. How will things work now? Fortunately some things never change–like true friends figuring out a way to be together, and happily flying into the sunset and sunrise.
ON-SALE JUNE 15th, 2021
THE MORE, THE MERRIER| Picture Book
by David Martin; illustrated by Raissa Figueroa (Penguin Random House)
Stepping high,
galumphing low,
leaping fast,
wiggling slow.
“I like your moves. But I’m not like you. So I’ll just do what I can do.” Some like to kick their feet and bend their knees to the music. Others prefer to slip and slide . . . or swoop down . . . or skip high and low! Whatever their style, children will be drawn by David Martin’s buoyant rhymes and Raissa Figueroa’s vibrant illustrations as Bear, Moose, Snake, and other forest animals dance to their own groove in a rhythmic celebration of individuality.
RAT FAIR| Picture Book
by Leah Rose Kessler; illustrated by Cleonique Hilsaca (Pow! Kids Books)
When a group of industrious, fun-loving rats find letters fallen from an Art Fair sign, they put the sign back together—with one small adjustment—and get to work creating a spectacular RAT FAIR. Their fair is ruined when humans sweep away everything the rats have created. Undaunted, the rats switch gears and start working on their very own Rat Art Fair. As they are wrapping up their first day of the Rat Art Fair, a human child who has been following their progress from the sidelines catches them red handed, and the rats must decide if they can trust the child. A nearly wordless tale about how misunderstandings can lead to wonderful creativity.
SMALL NAP, LITTLE DREAM| Picture Book
by Talia Aikens-Nuñez; illustrated by Natalia Colombo (Nancy Paulsen Books)
Young children are busy all day long–running and climbing, looking and laughing–and in the middle of a full day of fun, there’s nothing like taking a break for a small nap. This is the time of day to have a little dream–sueñito–that gives the afternoon some added sweetness.
Look at me RUN. Mis pies go fast!
Look at me READ. Mis ojos explore!
Kids will soon be chiming in with the Spanish words for their body parts, as they wind down and get ready for that refreshing nap. And they will love poring through the pages of toddlers at play in an imaginary multicolored world that is full of happiness, setting the stage for their dreams.
ZURI RAY TRIES BALLET| Picture Book
by Tami Charles; illustrated by Sharon Sordo (HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books)
Meet Zuri Ray. She’s always willing to go the extra mile for family and friends and is up for any challenge. At least, that was before her best friend, Jessie, asked her to join a ballet camp.
Now Zuri isn’t sure if she’s up for everything. While Jessie can’t wait to chassé and plié while wearing tight hair buns and frilly tutus, that doesn’t sound like Zuri at all! But she can’t let her friend down. Maybe classical ballet just needs a new spin . . .
