Each year, there are more and more Hispanic and Latine authors who publish YA books. There’s still a ways to go in the publishing industry to share and uplift Latine voices, of course, but I remember looking for Latine books when I was younger and finding next to nothing. So, I’m glad to say things have definitely changed. Either way, know that the authors mentioned here are by no means the only ones. There are many more Hispanic and Latine YA authors you can read out there sharing their own amazing stories! This list is by no means a complete or comprehensive account, but it’s a good place to start. Without further ado, let’s get into eight Hispanic and Latine YA authors you should read. Looking for even more Latine content this September (or anytime, really)? You can also check out more Latine authors, or some of the best books written by Latine writers! McLemore’s most popular book, according to Goodreads ratings, is their second novel, called When the Moon Was Ours, which won the Stonewall Honor Award and James Tiptree Jr. Award. It follows the story of BFFs Miel and Sam, the “weird” kids in town. Miel has roses coming out of her wrist, and her life takes a dangerous turn when the Bonner girls become convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. Eir 2021 debut, Meet Cute Diary, is a fake-dating kind of romance that is full of trans joy and complicated relationships. I couldn’t describe it better than author Aiden Thomas, who said the book is “both about, and for, helping transgender youth feel connected, seen, and worthy of not just an epic meet cute, but a happily ever after.” Besides her three novels, she has also published a poetry collection called Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths, a visual poem titled Inheritance, and even a journal inspired by The Poet X called Write Yourself A Lantern. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is her debut. Published in 2021, it won that year’s New England Book Award in the YA category. The story follows Charlie, a girl who wants a good relationship with her body — even if everyone around her wants her to be smaller, whiter, quieter. Her BFF Amelia seems to be the only one on her corner. When a boy named Brian asks her out and Charlie finds out that he asked Amelia first, things get messy. Besides Cemetery Boys, Thomas has written two books more queer and magical books: Lost in the Never Woods, a Peter Pan retelling, and The Sunbearer Trials, which is the first in a fantasy duology inspired by Mexican mythology. Speaking of which, Ibañez also has a stand-alone novel titled Together We Burn — and has a short story featured in the Reclaim the Stars anthology. Tehlor Kay Mejia has also written the Paola Santiago middle grade series. And her work is featured in several short story anthologies, including Toil & Trouble, The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities, and Our Shadows Have Claws. Her next YA fantasy book is called Lucha of the Night Forest, and it will be published in early 2023! Zoraida has also written for the Star Wars universe, such as in A Crash of Fate. And she has contributed to several anthologies like Vampires Never Get Old, Come On In, From a Certain Point of View, and Reclaim the Stars.
