Siena Blog

The theme for National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.

Siena is highlighting some artistic and cultural contributions to commemorate during this important month celebrating Hispanic history and culture. See below for books, podcasts, and other resources of interest to introduce you to some pioneers of change in the Hispanic community.

Reading Pioneers of Change 

Here are some recent fiction and nonfiction books by Hispanic/Latino authors to explore:

• Elizabeth Acevedo — The Poet X and Family Lore
• Kali Fajardo-Anstine —  Woman of Light 
• Jamie Figueroa — Mother Island
• Lin-Manuel Miranda — In the Heights: Finding Home 
• Dan-el Padilla Peralta — Undocumented  
• Paola Ramos — Finding Latin X 
• Erika Sánchez — I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
• Jenny Torres Sanchez — We Are Not From Here
• Alexandra Villasante — The Grief Keeper 
• Javier Zamora — Solito

See also Hispanic Executive’s 10 New Releases from Latino Authors and Penguin Random House’s Books to Read for Latine & Hispanic Heritage Month.

Listening to Pioneers of Change

Here are some podcast recommendation lists for various Hispanic, Latino, and other related topics to explore:

• 10 Latino Podcasts to Add to Your Queue
• 10 Podcasts for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
• 100 Best Latino Podcasts You Must Follow in 2024
• From Vegan Taqueros to a Political Scandal (NPR)

National Hispanic Heritage Month Resources

• See Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latinx - Which is Best? from Duke School of Medicine and You Say Latino Mini Comic from Terry Blas to learn more about the evolving use of “Hispanic” and “Latino/-a/-x” terminology.
• Check the National Museum of the American Latino website for events and media coverage, and visit the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
• Explore Hispanic Heritage Month Resources from the National Museum of the American Latino and U.S. Department of Education.

Siena Resources

The Siena School blog has other Heritage Month spotlights related to innovative dyslexia education, including Native American book recommendations, Mexican writer and activist Victor Villaseñor, Chicano artist Ignacio Gomez, African American writers and dyslexia advocates LeDerick Horne and Marcia Brissett-Bailey, and others.

Learn more about Siena’s commitments and ongoing initiatives for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

The Siena School proudly serves students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences in grades 3-12 on campuses in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Oakton, Virginia.