2021 Top 10 “New” Latino Latinx Authors You, Your Family, and Teachers Need To Read

The 2021 Top 10 list shines with debut authors in various genres. This year’s list was so good that for the first time ever we could not pick a top spot, so we have listed the selections in alphabetical order. Congratulations to our authors for being part of an elite top ten list that started in 2006, the oldest of any website.

M. Soledad Caballero’s poetry collection, I Was a Bell, won the 2021 Red Hen Press Benjamin Saltman Award. Caballero explores memory, war in Chile, and immigration to the U.S. in a deeply personal and touching way.

Jamie Figueroa’s novel, Brother, Sister, Mother Explorer, was described by The New York Times as a “Beautifully crafted, poetic book,” and they were right on target.

There’s a reason why you might have seen this novel on Good Morning, America or featured by Roxane Gay’s book club. Gabriela Garcia‘s Of Women and Salt is a moving narrative about immigration and womanhood. The sentences sing!

Elizabeth Gonzalez James‘ novel, Mona at Sea, about a directionless millennial will have you chortling or possibly even laughing out loud.

Solito: A Memoir

48% Off $18.00 $9.32 (as of October 4, 2024 07:30 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

The House on Mango Street

43% Off $12.95 $2.75 (as of October 4, 2024 07:30 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Latin Literature: A History

24% Off $54.00 $41.16 (as of October 4, 2024 09:13 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Wheelock’s Latin Reader, 2nd Edition: Selections from Latin Literature

22% Off $21.99 $14.64 (as of October 4, 2024 07:30 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Foreign Language Study Latin Wheelock's Latin Reader Second Edition

Latino Poetry: The Library of America Anthology (LOA #382) (Library of America, 382)

28% Off $40.00 $26.84 (as of October 4, 2024 07:30 GMT -04:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Ananda Lima had a stunning debut with her first full collection, Mother/land, which was shortlisted for the Chicago Review of Books Chriby Awards.

Antonio López’ Gentefication was selected by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Gregory Pardlo, for the Four Way Books Levis Poetry Prize, and with reason. López’ poems are thought-provoking and lyrical.

Crystal Maldonado‘s young adult novel, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, is a touching tale about a fat brown girl living in Connecticut and navigating the complicated world of friendships and authenticity.

Dominican-American writer, Brenda Peynado, delights with her story collection, The Rock Eaters, a surreal yet sublime read.

Janel Pineda’s poetry collection, Language of Rain, was the most mesmerizing Latinx chapbook of the year. Her poems demonstrate a tremendous range stylistically and thematically as they explore such topics as El Salvador, family, and love and pain.

Raquel V. Reyes’ Mango, Mambo, and Murder is an excellent debut in the culinary mystery genre. Delicious and cozy with a spunky heroine, it also includes some Cuban recipes that readers may want to try at home. Great cultural references, Santeria, herbalism and a sprinkling of Spanish make this novel both informative and a pleasure to read.

The following staff members contributed to this article: 
José B. González, Founder and Editor-in-Chief
León Salvatierra, Associate Editor
Moncho Alvarado, Features Editor
K.C. Chapman, Special Contributor
Susanna Velarde Covarrubias, Theater Features Editor
Teresa Dovalpage, Columnist and Spanish Features Editor
Elizabeth Garcia, Columnist
Ursula Villarreal-Moura, Features Editor

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