Photo credit: Owen Benson
Alexandra Diaz is a popular, award-winning author of Young Adult books in both English and Spanish. The daughter of Cuban refugees, she is a native Spanish speaker who currently lives in New Mexico.
In her engaging and gripping books, Alexandra uses realistic fiction to highlight and bring awareness to the immigrant journey. With pre-teens and teens as her lead characters, we see their struggles to leave behind harsh lives in places like Mexico or Guatemala in search of a new home.
The Only Road was a Pura Belpré Honor Book (2017) and won the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature (2017), as well as an International Latino Book Award (2017) gold medalist. Santiago’s Road Home was an ALA Notable Children’s Book (2021).
Paperback copies of Santiago's Road Home and The Only Road are available for check-out at both Cuesta campus libraries and at local public libraries. Spanish language editions available at some locations, too. Email us: circulation@cuesta.edu
Reading Group Guides:
Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla (not avail yet)
Photo credit: Smithsonian
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept 15-Oct 15 every year to recognize the accomplishments, history, and culture of our Latino communities. This year's theme is, “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One.”
HHM started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under Pres. Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by Pres. Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept 15 and ending on Oct 15.
Sept 15 is significant as 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 Sept 16 and Sept 18, respectively. Also, Indigenous Peoples' Day, which is the 2nd Monday in October, falls within this 30 day period.
Local events, Hispanic Heritage Month
Mariposa Festival, SLO, Sept 14
Dolores Huerta, Labor leader, speaks at Cal Poly Univ, SLO, Oct 17
Dia De Los Muertos celebration; Photo credit: Wilshire Hospice