In the United States, people of all different backgrounds live together. Today, more than one in eight people in the United States are Hispanic, and Latino communities are an important part America. Hispanic Americans are people from different lands, cultures, and backgrounds. Many come to the United States looking for better jobs—and some of them find them. No matter where Hispanic Americans came from originally, the longer they live in the United States, the better jobs they are likely t...

Americans with darker skin colors have often faced discrimination in the United States. Hispanic Americans, like other minority groups, have had to fight to be treated fairly. Today, there are millions of Hispanics in the country, spread across every state of the nation. They are the fastest growing minority in the United States—but the fact that they are spread out makes them weaker as a group. Hispanics must work together to stand up for their rights. Learn about the Latino civil rights ...

Have you ever played cards on a rainy afternoon? Do you and your friends play jump rope, play hide-and-go-seek, or play Red Rover? If you did, then you were enjoying a folk game. Learn more about these games, including the long history behind: • face cards • tag • hide-and-go-seek • some board games • baseball. Games help us deal with life. They give us physical exercise. They challenge our minds . . . and most of all they fill our lives with fun.

Do you know who started the first volunteer fire company in the United States? Do you know who the first woman firefighter was? Or did you know that firefighters trace their heritage back to the knights of the Crusades? Sirens and Smoke is full of stories of bravery and tradition. You'll read about: • the brave guards who fought fire in ancient Greek and Roman communities.• the long-ago firefighters who battled the great fires that swept through Europe's big cities.• the community spirit t...

Did you know that José is the most popular name for baby boys in both California and Texas? Or that tacos are nearly as popular as hamburgers? More and more, the tastes and flavors of Hispanic culture play a role in American life. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos will make up two-thirds of the population growth in the United States for the first half of the twenty-first century. At this rate, Latinos will number 80 million by the year 2050! Hispanic Americans make the United St...

Did you know that if you drop a spoon, someone will kiss you soon? Did you ever hear that three spiders crawling on the wall are a sign you will soon hear of a death? Or did you know that if rabbits play in a dusty road, rain is on its way? These beliefs are folk customs found in North America. Discover more, including: • ways to predict the future • weather lore • good luck superstitions. Folklore is shared through customs and traditions. These are patterns that shape our lives. Even in t...

Abraham Rodriquez speaks for many Puerto Ricans when he writes, "Of course I'm Puerto Rican. I am also American. I'm both." Puerto Rican Americans have created a rich culture that spans two places and two identities. Many travel back and forth between the island of Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. Discover what it means to be a Puerto Rican American. Learn more about the history, art, and culture of Puerto Rico. Read the stories of important Puerto Rican Americans who have made the Unite...

Seven years before Brown v. Board of Education, the Mendez family fought to end segregation in California schools. Discover their incredible story in Separate Is Never Equal, a picture book from award-winning creator Duncan Tonatiuh.Jane Addams Children’s Book Award WinnerA Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookA Robert F. Sibert Honor BookSTARRED REVIEW *“Masterfully com...

By the year 2050, Latino Americans will number 80 million. South Americans make up an important part of that population. South American immigrants come from different backgrounds. Some are dark-skinned, dark-haired, Spanish-speakers. Others are fair-skinned, blue-eyed people of European ancestry. Some are Inca Indians who speak their own ancient Quechua language. Discover more about South America's immigrants!

An inspiring tribute to Hispanic Americans who have made a positive impact on the worldThis visually stunning book showcases twenty Hispanic and Latino American men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, politics, science, humanitarianism, and athletics. Gorgeous portraits complement sparkling biographies of Cesar Chavez, Sonia Sotomayor, Ellen Ochoa, Roberto Clemente, and many more. Complete with timelines and famous quotes, this tome is a ...

Throughout the 1998 baseball season, two names made the headlines more than any others: Mark McGwire, the eventual home run king, and Sammy Sosa, the runner-up in a race that won the hearts of baseball fans worldwide. Yet at the end of the day, it was Sosa who walked away with the National League's MVP award, not McGwire. Why? Because Sosa had dug the dismal 1997 Chicago Cubs out of the cellar not just with his home runs, but also with his spectacular all-around play. Yet Sosa's contributi...

¡Viva la causa!¡Viva César Chávez!Up and down the San Joaquin Valley of California, and across the country, people chanted these words. Cesar Chavez, a migrant worker himself, was helping Mexican Americans work together for better wages, for better working conditions, for better lives.No one thought they could win against the rich and powerful growers. But Cesar was out to prove them wrong -- and that he did.