Rising Voices: Elevating Latino Stories showcases positive images of diverse Latino protagonists across a variety of backgrounds, and are supported by instructional materials and digital resources that help teachers build literacy skills and social-emotional awareness. This collection features a mix of authentic fiction and nonfiction texts that celebrate the accomplishments and potential of some of the most historically underrepresented voices in children’s literature: people of the Latin diaspora.
Elevating Latino Stories
Elevate the Stories of the Latin Diaspora
Our Commitments
We welcome boys and girls of color as irreplaceable members of our educational community through:
When students see their cultures and their peers reflected in a positive and respectful light, they can trust that their school wants them to succeed.
Every child is different, but everyone wants to know that they are heard, respected, and understood. We give teachers the tools to offer this support.
When students work together, they gain the confidence to express themselves, explore new ideas, and push the limits of their potential.
Meet the Latino Stories Mentors
In partnership with the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, Scholastic has created Rising Voices: Elevating Latino Stories. This collection was made possible by a team of accomplished Latino mentors whose knowledge and experiences directly informed the development of the program.
Developed in Partnership with
Dr. Maria Armstrong
Dr. Maria Armstrong has spent her 25-year educational career focused on the role of Latino social networks, leadership, and educational policy. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS).
Sulma Arzu-Brown
Sulma Arzu-Brown is a proud Garifuna, Afro-Latina, award-winning author, and lifelong champion for Diversity & Inclusion. Sulma utilizes her platform to honor the global Black and Afro-Latin diaspora, showcase the infinite possibilities for girls and boys of color, and help end hair discrimination nationwide in schools and corporations.
John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo is a multifaceted creator with an established career that defies categorization—he has garnered numerous professional accolades, including an Emmy Award, a Special Tony Award, and a Drama Desk Award as well as nominations for Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
The Rising Voices Framework
The books in this library have been curated with these five themes in mind:
- Creative Problem-Solving
How does creativity help people understand a problem and figure out a solution? - Curiosity
How do the people you read about show their curiosity by asking questions and searching for answers? - Leadership and Collaboration
What can we learn from reading about what makes someone a good leader? What can we discover from our reading about teamwork? - Persistence
What qualities help people keep trying when they face challenges? - Vision
How does observing carefully help people understand the world? How can people use their experiences and imaginations to visualize a better future?
Enhance Identity Development with Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning
The Rising Voices Libraries include authentic books written by diverse authors, research-based instruction to empower students to discover and express themselves, and multiple tools to help families support their children’s academic and personal journeys.
Elevating Latino Stories
Each grade-level library includes:
- 50 books (25 titles including 5 anchor texts, 2 copies each)
- Teaching Cards (1 per anchor text)
- A Teacher’s Guide (K–2 or 3–5)
- Attractive storage bins
- Labeling stickers
- Access to our Digital Resource Website
Rising Voices Elevating Latino Stories
Rising Voices Elevating Latino Stories
Rising Voices Elevating Latino Stories
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Elevating Latino Stories
Sample Lesson
Teachers Guide
This guide provides strategies for teaching the texts through read-alouds, book clubs, class discussions, and more. Suggestions for how to support English learners, confer with students, and increase family engagement are included throughout the guide.
Sample Lesson
Teaching Cards
A Teaching Card for each anchor text helps teachers introduce the book, build background knowledge, and conduct a read-aloud so students can practice reading strategies. After the read-aloud, prompts for discussing and writing about the text build social-emotional skills and extend learning.
Sample Lesson
Culturally Relevant Authentic Texts
Each Rising Voices grade-level library includes 25 authentic texts (two copies each) that explore and celebrate a wide variety of cultures. When students read enjoyable books that reflect their experiences, they can trust that their school respects who they are and wants them to succeed.
Explore More Rising Voices Collections
Celebrating Black and Latino Boys
These stories provide positive representations of the most underrepresented literary protagonists in our classrooms: boys of color.
Empowering Girls in STEAM
Shatter misconceptions about girls and women as leaders in science, technology, the arts, and math.
Celebrating Girls of Color
Counter the stereotypes that chip away at girls’ self-esteem, confidence, and dreams for their futures.
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