Encourage your students to embrace their identities and expand their worldview with positive, authentic Latino stories aligned to these five themes:
Rising Voices: Latino Stories | Grades K–5
Elevating Latino Stories
Celebrate the richness and diversity of Latino culture with collections of the very best stories by and about Latino people.
Rising Voices: Latino Stories | Grades K–5
Elevating Latino Stories
Celebrate the richness and diversity of Latino culture with collections of the very best stories by and about Latino people for Grades K–5.
Stories for Everyone
Family, Culture, and Community
How can I help people around me, and how do they help me or enrich my life?
Someone Like Me
How do the people in these books help me better understand myself and the world?
Heroes and Role Models
What qualities make someone a hero and what can I learn from them?
Strong and Resilient
What qualities help people succeed when they face challenges?
Thinking Beyond Today
What can I learn from how the people in books dream and plan for the future?
Teachers and students do not have enough access to affirming, high-quality books that reflect the lives of Latino people.
It is projected that by 2030 more than 30% of students in Grades K–12 will be of Latino descent.¹ Only 7% of the children's books published in 2023 focused on a Latino person as a significant character², and this percentage does not take into consideration literary quality.
¹National Center for Education Statistics (2021).
²2023 Cooperative Children's Book Center Diversity Statistics Overview: Race/Ethnicity
Teach with Meaning and Purpose
Equip teachers with the tools to implement robust literacy instruction combined with support to broaden students’ understanding of the world around them.
See the Research
Every Scholastic Education solution is backed by rigorous research—and Rising Voices is no exception.
Rising Voices White Paper
Research shows that students of all backgrounds benefit from access to diverse books. Learn more about why culturally rich stories matter in our Rising Voices white paper.
The Power of a Diverse Classroom Library Webinar
Join Superintendent, Dr. M. Ann Levett and Harvard-trained surgeon and author, Oneeka Williams, as they discuss how educators can use inclusive classroom libraries to elevate engagement and achievement for all students.
The Protagonist Chart
Get a glimpse at the status of diversity in children's books with this easy-to-share graphic.
Meet the Mentors
Get to know the diverse Latino thought leaders who helped create and curate this collection with help from the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.
Dr. Maria Armstrong
Dr. Maria Armstrong has spent her 25-year educational career focused on the role of Latino social networks, leadership, and educational policy. She currently serves as the executive director for the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents.
Sulma Arzu-Brown
Sulma Arzu-Brown is a proud Garifuna, Afro-Latina, award-winning author, and lifelong champion for diversity and inclusion. She uses her platform to honor the global Black and Afro-Latin diaspora, showcase the infinite possibilities for girls and boys of color, and help end hair discrimination nationwide in schools and corporations.
John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo is a multifaceted creator with a career that defies categorization. He has garnered numerous professional accolades, including an Emmy Award, a Special Tony Award, and a Drama Desk Award as well as nominations for Golden Globes and Critics Choice awards.
An Empowering Library for Every Grade
Each grade level (K–5) includes:
50 Books (25 titles, 2 copies each)
Each book was carefully selected to broaden students' perspectives and authentically represent diverse cultures and experiences.
5 Teaching Cards
Teaching Cards show you how to use each anchor text as an interactive read-aloud that builds vocabulary, reinforces reading strategies, and stimulates discussion.
Teacher’s Guide
Discover tools to lead whole-class read-alouds, book clubs, and independent reading with the texts in these libraries.
Digital Resource Site
Access instructional support for teachers to explore themes, initiate important conversations, and model excellent writing.
More Rising Voices Libraries
Build truly inclusive classroom libraries with our other Rising Voices collections.
Celebrating Black and Latino Boys
Celebrate boys of color as the heroes of their own stories.
Empowering Girls in STEAM
Shatter misconceptions about women as leaders in STEAM fields.
Celebrating Girls of Color
Tear down stereotypes and build up girls of color.
Inspiring Students en español
Celebrate historically underrepresented communities in English and Spanish.
