The Hispanic Heritage Reading Project, led by Melissa Garza, is an annual event that celebrates the diversity and richness of Hispanic culture and literature. The project encourages students to read books by Hispanic authors and learn about the history and culture of Hispanic countries. Students can read books individually or as a group, and they can complete a variety of activities to demonstrate their understanding of the books they read. The project culminates in a celebration of Hispanic culture, where students can share their work and learn more about Hispanic culture.

This year, educators received five exceptional books highlighting diverse voices and experiences, including The Pinata That The Farm Maiden Hung, Areli is a Dreamer, My Two Border Towns, Paletero Man, and Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You. These selected books aim to engage young readers while fostering meaningful discussions about Hispanic heritage and community, providing a wonderful opportunity to explore the themes of belonging and aspiration.

Incorporating these stories into classrooms enriches students' understanding of the culture and promotes inclusivity and empathy. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite educators to share these vibrant narratives with their students, creating a space for meaningful dialogue and connection. Let’s come together to honor and appreciate the contributions of the Hispanic community through the power of storytelling!

The celebration through our project is impactful for the schools, reaching 1,128 students. Our educators have shared meaningful stories about why these kind of projects are important:

“Today, as a service project for Leaders Readers Network, CHS Spanish IV and V students were able to read and present to 700 kids from Reeves and Lakeview Elementary Schools. They were also able to give away 550 books to these kids! It was great to see the leadership and service these students demonstrated while promoting literacy and language learning. ” - Rubi Perez, Canyon High School

“I learned more about how my students experience living with two cultures. I got to know my students better and their background.” - Veronica Heredia, Windsor Village Elementary

“It was amazing to see how students connected with the story. The events were very relatable and they were very excited about the project.” - Angela Alferez, El Camino Real Elementary

Visit this link to learn more about how you can get involved.