Media

Because I just haven't read or watched things in Spanish, this is right now only English media that have latin characters in them. If you wanna start reading in Spanish I suggest to start with books for young children, (something I didn't do and wish I had...)

Your local library should have a collection of books in Spanish. (They'll also likely have dictionaries and You can also rent ebooks from most libraries with things like Hoopla and Libby, please check with your local system to see how you can do this!

Fiction books

Cemetary Boys

By Aiden Thomas. A YA urban fantasy book focused on mexican/latino culture, set in California. Talks a lot about the main character's struggle finding a place in his culture as a trans boy. Written by a Mexican author who is also trans himself. Originally written in English, has a good bit of Spanglish and a lot of fun culture stuff I related to. Highly recommend!

The Sunbearer Trials

Also by Aiden Thomas. Less like real life issues than Cemetary Boys, the writing's also a bit better since Cemetary Boys was his debut. High fantasy based on Mexican mythology, very Percy Jackson esque but very much with its own identity. Main chaaracter is also transgender but he's not like sad about it it's just a part of his life. All the gods are named after Spanish words, it made me very emotional in general, 10/10 super fun highly recommend.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

By Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Coming of age book about two Mexican boys in Texas. Really hit hard with being second gen, I related a lot to the boys' relationship with their culture. Good book in general, I know it has a sequel but I haven't read it.

Self-Made Boys

By Anna-Marie McLemore. YA book. Retelling of the Great Gatsby where Nick is latino and trans. Just a really fun book. Definitely read The Great Gatsby before you read this book, The Great Gatsby is super short anyways. But just a really great time and also made me very emotional. Written by a Mexican-American nonbinary author.

Heroes of Olympus

By Rick Riordan. There are only 2 latin characters, both are only in Heroes of Olympus, but one is also Puerto Rican and it was the first Puerto Rican character I read in anything ever so I feel it necessary to add here. Rick Riordan is white but he clearly does his research, Leo and Reyna are done super well. Leo is Mexican and grew up in America, Reyna is Puerto Rican and (spoiler) grew up on the island.

Fiction movies

Into the Spiderverse/Across the Spiderverse

Wonderful movies, the second one especially has a lot of Spanish in it and made me very happy. 10/10 recommend!

Encanto

I'm not Colombian but you can pry Encanto from my cold dead hands. The most seen I've ever felt culturally by a movie. Mirabel points with her mouth at something on the ground!!

Coco

It's been years since I saw it, but god is it a great movie. All Mexican culture, which felt a little further away to me than Encanto, but it still felt like home. So much wonderful spanglish, and really WELL DONE spanglish too. I've heard the Spanish version is good, I haven't seen it myself.

Shows

The Owl House

Shout out to the Owl House for having the ONLY DOMINICAN CHARACTER ON THE LIST! (confetti! fireworks!) Luz is done awesome. She speaks Spanish, her mom makes her maduros (which I think are gross but good for them), there are tons of awesome details and dialogue and it's really just done brilliant. Great show, too!

Non-fiction books

Various non-fiction books I've read that I found helpful.

The Sea-ringed World

English

A collection of indigenous latinamerican stories from different parts of the world. There are 3 Taino stories, and a ton from other places.

Puerto Rico Then and Now Entonces y Ahora, by Jorge Rigau

English and Spanish

A collection of photos of Puerto Rico from points in history, juxtaposed with pictures taken at about 2009 when the book came out. Has description and explanation of the images in both Spanish and English underneath. I went through it with my dad and talked to him about what he remembered and found out new things with him, it was a very good time.