Each year, Americans observe Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans  whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a month long period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.

Check out these books from Cheshire Library that celebrate Hispanic culture and authors!

For  Adults:

• The Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
• Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
• Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
• The Book of Lost Saints by Daniel José Older
• Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• The Brief and Wondrous Life Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
• Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
• Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis
• Ordinary Girls by Jaquira Díaz
• Reputations by Juan Gabriel Vasquez
• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
• The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú
• Yo! by Julia Alvarez
• Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo

For Teens:

• We Set the Dark Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia
• With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
• Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina
• I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
• Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
• The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

For Kids:

• My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
• Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina
• Turning Pages: My Life Story by Sonia Sotomayor
• Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
• How Tia Lola Learned to Teach by Julia Alvarez
• Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya
• Book Fiesta! by Pat Mora
• Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña
• Heat by Mike Lupica