Did you know that November is Puerto Rican Heritage Month? First officially proclaimed by New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani in 1998 and observed in other locales like Florida, it is a recognition of the long-standing presence of persons of Puerto Rican background in U.S. life and culture. It is also a celebration of Puerto Rican resilience, persistence, and self-determination. 

Now, for me every month is Puerto Rican Heritage Month, but this November is an ideal time to check out our collection of books about Puerto Rico and by authors of Puerto Rican descent. I have written about Puerto Rico in this blog before, and since then some new children's books have appeared on the scene! 

Breaking to the Beat  is a look at the contributions of Puerto Ricans to the birth of hip hop in New York City through the eyes of a shy but talented breakdancer. Teachers interested in using this vibrant picture book in the classroom can check out the Teacher's Guide on the publisher's website! 

Hurricanes Irma and Maria left an indelible mark on Puerto Ricans both on the island and in the diaspora. In Our Roof is Blue, a brother and sister recover, recuperate, and rebuild alongside their family. 

If you have a very little reader, check out Vámonos a San Juan! This colorful board book is an introduction to San Juan, Puerto Rico's luminous capital city. 

For more picture books for Puerto Rican Heritage Month, check out the catalog widget in this blog post. If you are looking for books appropriate for teen and middle grades readers, we have a list for that as well. Adult readers need not be left out either. Finally, check out "You Might Also Like" for some standout nonfiction titles, including cookbooks available in our catalog!