Welcome to Latino Book Chat!

Season 1 Episodes

July 19, 2023

33. Adriana Erin Rivera ~ How Music and Family Helped a Girl Survive …

Christian Meneses Jacobs, host of Latino Book Chat, interviews Adriana Erin Rivera, author of "Paloma: Song for Puerto Rico." They discuss various aspects of the book, including the importance of representing Puerto Rican history and culture accurately. Adriana shares her …

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July 5, 2023

32. Ana Reyes ~ Uncovering the Secrets of the Past

In this episode of the Latino Book Chat podcast, host Christianne Meneses Jacobs interviews author Ana Reyes about her book "The House in the Pines." Ana discusses the inspiration behind her story, including a creepy house in the forest, and …

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June 21, 2023

31. Angela Dominguez ~ The Young Activist Grows Up

In this episode, we’ll be discussing the fifth and final book in the series, Stella Diaz Leaps to the Future by Angela Dominguez. In this book, Stella is facing some big changes in her life. How will Stella cope with …

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June 7, 2023

30. Mona Alvarado Frazier Growing Hope

The Garden of Second Chances by Mona Alvarado Frazier explores real-life issues faced by Juana, the protagonist. Join us as we dive into Juana’s journey of survival, redemption, and courage in the face of impossible odds as we discuss topics …

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May 24, 2023

29. AJ Sidransky Revolution and Redemption in Castro's Cuba

In this episode, we’re discussing Incident at San Miguel by A. J. Sidransky, a riveting tale of heartbreak, loss, and forgiveness set during the Cuban Revolution. We are going to explore historical fiction and the stories behind the stories. Incident …

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May 10, 2023

28. Karina González and Krystal Quiles The Resilient People of Puerto…

With her book The Coquíes Still Sing, Karina González tells us the story of the devastation of Puerto Rico after hurricane María from the point of view of a young girl. Karina and her illustrator Krystal Quiles chat about the …

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April 26, 2023

27. Raquel Gonzales Reinvent Yourself and Eliminate Negativity

In her book 7 Steps to Talk Confidently to Anyone, Raquel Gonzalez offers a step by step guide to become more confident when speaking to others. We discussed ways to reframe our thinking and eliminate negative self-talk. Listen to our …

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April 12, 2023

26. Anita Sanchez Thinks Young People Can Save Our Planet

In her fascinating book Meltdown, Anita Sanchez warns us that the pace of climate change is accelerating. She tells us fascinating facts about glaciers and offers advise about what we can do to stop the melting of glaciers. Once they …

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March 29, 2023

25. Alyssa Reynoso Morris Plantains Bring Families Together

In her picture book "Plátanos Are Love", Alyssa Reynoso Morris chats about her family plátanos recipes and the importance of plantains to her African ancestors. By cooking plantains with her grandma, the young protagonist learns to appreciate her family history …

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March 15, 2023

24. Jasminne Mendez - A Young Afro Latina in the South

In her new novel Islands Apart: Becoming Dominican American, Jasminne Mendez chats about growing up Afro Latina in the South and how those formative years influenced the person she is now. Jasminne takes us on a journey of her most …

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March 2, 2023

23. Maritere Bellas Bilingual Family Advocate

Maritere Bellas' award winning book Arroz con Pollo y Apple Pie: Raising Bicultural Children chats about her journey as a bilingual and bicultural advocate. Her love for the Spanish language and her native Puerto Rican culture led her to publish …

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Feb. 15, 2023

22. Terry Catasús and Raúl Colón's Little House of Hope

Terry Catasús' beautiful book The Little House of Hope teaches children about the immigrant experience. The talented illustrator Raúl Colón gave life to this heart warming story. Discover how Terry and Raúl brought this story to life in this fun …

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Feb. 1, 2023

21. Alberto Roblest Explores America's Social Commentary

Alberto Roblest's new book "Against the Wall" is a collection of short stories are meant to engage the reader in Americas's social and political commentary. It's a way to be part of the discourse on the many topics prevalent in …

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Nov. 21, 2022

20. Pam Muñoz Ryan's New Latina Princess

Pam Muñoz Ryan's new novel Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs is full of adventure, villanos, curanderas, and magic. Find out why Solimar wants to be a king, and not a queen. Pam Muñoz Ryan chats with us about how …

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Nov. 7, 2022

19. Richie Narvaez Teen Murder Mystery

Move over Nancy Drew. Here comes Holly Hernadez! Richie Narvaez has created a Latina teen detective in his YA novel "Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco." Richie chats about his inspiration for the story, and how he create...

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Oct. 24, 2022

18. Susie Jaramillo Helps Children Navigate their Night Terrors

Sit down with us as we talk with author Susie Jaramillo about her beautifully crafted book Skeletina & the In-Between World. She discusses how she was inspired to create Young Skeletina to help children confront their anxieties, navigate the fears …

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Oct. 17, 2022

17. Reyna Grande's Love Story in a Time of War

Acclaimed author Reyna Grande discusses her newest historical fiction novel "A Ballad of Love and Glory". Her story portrays the love saga of Ximena Salomé, a Mexican healer and nurse, and John Riley, an Irish soldier who deserts the US …

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Oct. 10, 2022

16. Estela Juarez A Young Child's Fight Against Family Separation

"Until Someone Listens" by Estela Juarez is the story of her mother's deportation to Mexico. At 8 years old, Estela found her voice and began to tell her story to anyone who would listen. She was features in the 2020 …

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Sept. 26, 2022

15. Felicia Zamora's Poetry A Celebration to Human Connectivity with …

Felicia Zamora's new poetry book Quotient is a celebration to how humans need to go back to reconnect with our natural world. She challenges our thinking and preconceptions about our existence. We are not as special as we think we …

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Sept. 12, 2022

14. Frederick Aldama's New Book Shows the Love and Joy of Learning fr…

"Con Papá/With Papá" by Frederick Luis Aldama takes young children on a ride to discover the many adventures they can have with their Papá. As the protagonists grows up, the child learns confidence so that one day they can st...

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Aug. 29, 2022

13. Silvia Casabianca Shows Us that Love and Empathy Can Save Our Wor…

Dr. Silvia Casabianca has researched for decades the role of love and empathy in the preservation of the human specie. Her new book Heartminded emphasizes that humans are born with a capacity to have empathic feelings which are needed to …

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Aug. 15, 2022

12. Emma Otheguy Introduces Her Young Readers to Social Issues

Emma Otheguy invites her young readers to become advocates for important social issues such as immigration, racism, and classism in her middle grade novel "Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene." Young Sofia finds her voice and discovers that even though she …

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Aug. 1, 2022

11. Ariadna Sánchez Spanish Poetry Collection

Author Ariadna Sánchez Hernández has been inspired by her immigrant experience, the absence of social justice in her homeland, and the universal feeling of love. With intriguing photographs, Ariadna offers a window into the beauty of her native Oaxaca as …

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July 18, 2022

10 Daniel Olivas Creates a Surreal World

Author Daniel Olivas takes us on a wild ride in his new collection of magical, surreal and dystopian short stories How to Date a Flying Mexican. You can purchase a copy of Daniel's books in our new online store Nuestra …

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