Caribbean American Heritage Month

June is National Caribbean American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of Caribbean Americans to our culture, history, and society. This tradition started with the first proclamation signed by President George W. Bush in 2006 thanks to the efforts of Dr. Claire Nelson and the Institute of Caribbean Studies, who lobbied for recognition of Caribbean American achievements.

Throughout June, DC Public Library will be lifting up stories that showcase the vibrant experiences of Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans. Join us as we delve into this rich heritage!

Fiction for Kids

A Song of Frutas

Margarita Engle

Plátanos Go With Everything

Lissette Norman

Our Story Starts in Africa

Patrice Lawrence

Coquí in the City

Nomar Perez

I Want to Ride the Tap Tap

Danielle Joseph

Nonfiction for Kids

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

Anika Aldamuy Denise

Radiant child

Javaka Steptoe

Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm

Lesa Cline-Ransome

Turning Pages

Sonia Sotomayor

Celia Cruz: Queen of Salsa

Veronica Chambers

Fiction for Teens

Wings in the Wild

Margarita Engle

High Spirits: Short Stories on Dominican Diaspora

Camille Gomera-Tavarez

American Street

Ibi Zoboi

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them

Junauda Petrus

Never Look Back

Lilliam Rivera

Nonfiction for Teens

"21": The Story of Roberto Clemente

Wilfred Santiago

When I Was Puerto Rican

Esmeralda Santiago

The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano

Margarita L'Engle

Che: A Graphic Biography

Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón

Alexander Hamilton: Revolutionary

Martha Brockenbrough

Fiction for Adults

Hungry Ghosts

Kevin Jared Hosein

Black Cake

Charmaine Wilkerson

The Cemetery of Untold Stories

Julia Alvarez

Anita de Monte Laughs Last

Xóchitl González

Family Lore

Elizabeth Acevedo

Nonfiction for Adults

My Song

Harry Belafonte

Just As I Am

Cicely Tyson

Island People

Joshua Jelly-Schapiro

Code Noir

Lelani Lewis

Take Up Space: The Unprecedented AOC

New York Magazine

Research and Learn

Very Short Introductions

Explore a variety of topics related to the Caribbean with Very Short Introductions, including history, biodiversity, religion, culture and more. Discover a new topic or subject with these intelligent and serious introductions written by authors who are experts in their field.

PressReader

Stay connected with the world with unlimited access to current issues of newspapers and magazines from across the Caribbean. There are no limits on downloads and they're yours to keep forever.

National Geographic Virtual Library

National Geographic Virtual Library brings together a complete archive of National Geographic magazine — every page of every issue from 1888 through present — along with a cross-searchable collection of National Geographic books, maps, images and videos.

Freegal Music+

Download up to three songs a week and stream commercial free music all day from popular labels from Caribbean and Caribbean American artists, including customizable playlists, albums and more.

Kanopy

Stream documentaries, independent and blockbuster films and other video about the Caribbean diaspora from your devices with your library card and Kanopy.

Dance in Video

Stream hundreds of dance productions and documentaries and even learn some dance moves for iconic dances like the Rumba and Merengue from professional instructors by the most influential performers and companies from the 20th Century.