If you’re traveling to the Dominican Republic as a family, check out these books that will get kids excited about the Dominican Republic and will expose them to the country’s culture and history.
Immigrant Experience. Junot Diaz’s Islandborn tells the story of how Lola learns about where her family immigrated from via an imaginary journey to The Island. Anita and the Dragons reflects the fears and courage of young Anita and her journey as she leaves behind the Dominican Republic
Baseball. For older elementary or middle-school readers, Growing Up Pedro is the story of Pedro Martinez’s journey from Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic to the Major Leagues. A fictional story, Rooting for Rafael Rosales, connects the lives of Rafael and his dreams to play Major League Baseball with Maya in Minnesota who is concerned about the world’s bee population.
Folktales. The Secret Footprints tells of the Dominican legend of ciguapas, creatures who live in underwater caves and whose feet are on backward so humans can’t follow them.
Stories Set in the Dominican Republic. The Color of My Words is the story of a young girl’s desire to be a writer in the Dominican Republic and Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa is an adventure story in search for answers around a cousin who vanished during the Trujillo dictatorship.
The complete list is below. If you or your family have other favorites, please let me know!
5. Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa
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