Latino/Hispanic

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Andrea L. Bell and Yolanda Molina-Gavilan
Cosmos Latinos: An Anthology of Science Fiction from Latin America and Spain (Early Classics of Science Fiction) (Ages 15+)
"Opening a window onto a fascinating new world for English-speaking readers, this anthology offers popular and influential stories from over ten countries, chronologically ranging from 1862 to the present. Latin American and Spanish science fiction shares many thematic and stylistic elements with anglophone science fiction, but there are important differences: many downplay scientific plausibility, and others show the influence of the region's celebrated literary fantastic. In the 27 stories included in this anthology, a 16th-century conquistador is re-envisioned as a cosmonaut, Mexican factory workers receive pleasure-giving bio-implants, and warring bands of terrorists travel through time attempting to reverse the outcome of historical events.

"The introduction examines the ways the genre has developed in Latin America and Spain since the 1700s and studies science fiction as a means of defamiliarizing, and then critiquing, regional culture, history and politics--especially in times of censorship and political repression. The volume also includes a brief introduction to each story and its author, and an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary works. Cosmos Latinos is a critical contribution to Latin American, Spanish, popular culture and science fiction studies and will be stimulating reading for anyone who likes a good story." Some themes may be disturbing to young teens and their parents.

This is yet another book that I've added to my wish list while asking myself , "Why isn't this book on my shelves?" (RDJ)

Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
Taco Del and the Fabled Tree of Destiny (Ages 13+)
From the author: "Some wizards have staffs, wands, or mediums. Taco Del has a tree…

"The Kingdom of Embarcadero is under siege. King Elvis wants to steal its secrets, mysterious outsiders want to expel its citizens, an ancient and sinister Force threatens to devour their souls. Salvation rests on the slender shoulders of a young wizard named Taco Del and his unlikely allies — a red-haired Chinese girl, a ghostly tribe of Mission Indians and a small fir tree named Doug

"I first met Taco Del in a dream, sitting pretty much as you see him on the cover, in quiet company with the Fabled Tree of Destiny (aka, Doug). Just a boy and his tree. I first heard his very distinctive voice as I was driving home from work one day and he began telling me his story. 'Hello, I’m Taco Del and this is my story: You see, Lord E Lordy wanted the Wiz. That’s where the Last Little War got started.'

"No, I am not kidding. And I am not alone in this. Ask Ursula. She’ll tell you that some characters are quite assertive. I managed to keep Del talking until I got home and was able to write down everything he had to tell me. In a sense, I did not write this novel alone. My collaborator’s byline is in the title."

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled

Laura Esquivel
Like Water for Chocolate (Grades 9+ / Ages 15+)
"Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico became a best-selling phenomenon with its winning blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit. The classic love story takes place on the De la Garza ranch, as the tyrannical owner, Mama Elena, chops onions at the kitchen table in her final days of pregnancy. While still in her mother's womb, her daughter to be weeps so violently she causes an early labor, and little Tita slips out amid the spices and fixings for noodle soup. This early encounter with food soon becomes a way of life, and Tita grows up to be a master chef. She shares special points of her favorite preparations with listeners throughout the story. The Spanish language edition of the best-selling Like Water For Chocolate is a remarkable success in its own right. Now, in this mass market edition, thousands of new readers will be able to partake in the sumptuous, romantic, and hilarious tale of Tita, the terrific cook with an extra special something in her sauce."

This is a delightful fantasy novel. I wasn't sure I'd like it because I don't like romance novels in any way, shape or form, but this book caught me and drew me into its magical spell. It's beautifully written and I'd highly recommend it to older teens and adults. Some themes are mature, including some romantic sex and infidelity. (RDJ)

Como agua para chocolate (Años 15+)
The Spanish edition of Like Water For Chocolate

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The Law of Love (Grades 9+ / Ages 15+)
"...tells a cosmic love story, a Mexican Midsummer Night's Dream that stretches from the fall of Montezuma's Mexico to the 23rd century." Not recommended for young teens.

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Kindle edition
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Spanish edtion
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Kindle edition
in Spanish

Nancy Farmer
The House of the Scorpion (Grades 9+ / Ages 15+)
"Fields of white opium poppies stretch away over the hills, and uniformed workers bend over the rows, harvesting the juice. This is the empire of Matteo Alacran, a feudal drug lord in the country of Opium, which lies between the United States and Aztlan, formerly Mexico. Field work, or any menial tasks, are done by "eejits," humans in whose brains computer chips have been installed to insure docility. Alacran, or El Patron, has lived 140 years with the help of transplants from a series of clones, a common practice among rich men in this world. The intelligence of clones is usually destroyed at birth, but Matt, the latest of Alacran's doubles, has been spared because he belongs to El Patron. He grows up in the family's mansion, alternately caged and despised as an animal and pampered and educated as El Patron's favorite. Gradually he realizes the fate that is in store for him, and with the help of Tam Lin, his bluff and kind Scottish bodyguard, he escapes to Aztlan. There he and other "lost children" are trapped in a more subtle kind of slavery before Matt can return to Opium to take his rightful place and transform his country." Controversial issues such as cloning, mind control, organ harvesting, and drugs may be uncomfortable for younger teens and their parents.

Kindle edition

Edna Iturralde
The Islands Where the Moon Is Born: An Adventure in the Galapagos Islands (Grades 3-6 / Age 9+)
This charming book by Ecuadorian children’s author Edna Iturralde was recently reviewed by my friend Alicia over at Library Mix. Please click here to read Alicia's full review.

Until recently, this book was available only through Ecuador’s Libri Mundi in Spanish or English. However, it's due to be released in English in July 2012 through WPR books. Click on the book cover on the right to reach WPR's order page.

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y su corazón escapó para convertirse en pájaro (Ages 13+ / Años 13+)
While Iturralde's books are not readily available in the United States, there's a second book that you might be interested in. Although it's not Science Fiction or Fantasy (that I know of), it tells stories of Afro-Ecuadorian children. It is available only in Spanish.

"This is a set of stories about Ecuadorians of African descent from 16th century to the present. Written with meticulous investigation, they have just the right language and writing style to captivate all types of readers, specially the young ones who will vibrate when entering in these stories full of emotion and enthusiasm."

En Español: "Conjunto de relatos sobre el pueblo negro ecuatoriano, desde el siglo XVI hasta nuestros días. Escritos tras una pacienciosa investigación, tienen el lenguaje apropiado para cautivar a todo tipo de lectores, especialmente los jóvenes que vibrarán al adentrarse en estas historias plenas de emoción y dramatismo."

Available July 2012
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Spanish only
Español solamente

Carolyn Marsden
Starfields (Grades 4-8 / Ages 10+)
"Rosalba is a nine-year-old Mayan girl living in rural Mexico. Like her mother and grandmother, she weaves stories of her people onto blouses, ensuring that the age-old traditions continue. But new influences are entering her life. A ladina girl from the city, visiting with her scientist father, passes on the astonishing news that the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012. Rosalba knows nothing about that, but her village is faced with a bulldozer tearing through the forest, dying wildlife, and cornfields in danger. Rosalba’s new friend tells her she must do something to help, but what? As she ponders, she dreams of an ancient Mayan boy, eyes bound in a shamanistic ritual, who hints at a way she can make her voice heard. Interweaving a contemporary story with a mythical dream narrative, Carolyn Marsden spins a gripping tale of friendship, cultural identity, and urgent environmental themes."

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech enabled

Rebecca Moesta & Kevin J. Anderson
Crystal Doors series - Island Realm, Ocean Realm, and Sky Realm (Grades 6+ / Ages 12+)

Island Realm
"Fourteen-year-old cousins Gwen and Vic have lived together ever since the mysterious deaths of Gwen's parents and disappearance of Vic's mother--until Vic's father accidentally transports them through a magical doorway to the island of Elantya. Vic and Gwen are soon caught in a tempest of ancient magic, vicious creatures, and fierce battles--all connected to a territorial feud with the sea-dwelling merlons, an age-old conflict between the bright and dark sages...and the cousins' own mysterious roots."

Cousins Gwen and Vic's fathers were identical twins. While working in the Yucatan Peninsula at an archaeological dig, the brothers met two mysterious sisters who walked out of the jungle and into their lives. The twins marry the sisters and the cousins are born on the same day. After the death of Gwen's parents and the disappearance of Vic's mother, Uncle Cal and the cousins live together as a family until the teens walk into the middle of Uncle Cal's experiment. Transported to a magical realm, the "twin" cousins are caught in the middle of a war and must solve the riddle of their family before they can go home.

Ocean Realm
"Gwen and Vic are still celebrating their victory in the battle with the merlons when they learn that Vic's father has finally made it through the crystal doors to the magical island of Elantya. However, their victory is short-lived when they and their friends are kidnapped by their underwater enemies and taken beneath the sea. They soon learn of a scheme that could bring Elantya to ruins. Can they escape in time to save the island from destruction?"

Sky Realm
"The thrilling conclusion to Kevin Anderson and Rebecca Moesta's Crystal Door's trilogy finds cousins Gwen and Vic and their three friends forging the magical Ring of Might and defending all of the worlds beyond the crystal doors in their final battle with the dark sage, Azric. When their friend Sharif is called back home by his father, the Sultan, Gwen, Vic and their friends travel to the flying city of Irrakesh. When they return, they find that the Sultan is dying, with Sharif the next in line to be Sultan. Soon he will have to choose between duty and destiny, but before he can do so, Irrakesh is attacked and the city is taken hostage by dark wizards evil army. In their previous battles, they faced Azric by land and sea, now they take to the skies for the climactic showdown with the evil wizard and all of his dark forces."

Kindle edition
Text-to-Speech
enabled

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