The Latino Heroes Who Changed the United States
Meet the unsung Latino rebels, artists, and activists who changed the United States—from Dolores Huerta to Desi Arnaz to Lin Manuel Miranda—in this bold and entertaining graphic history.From community activism to the halls of government, pop-culture, arts, and beyond, Latinos have shaped every aspect of American life. Nevertheless, these significant figures and their contributions are often left out of our textbooks. Sí, Se Puede, named after the “Yes, We Can” motto of the United Farm Workers, brings Latino history in the U.S. to the forefront.The book follows a group of Hispanic-Americans as they embark on an interactive museum tour to meet Latino heroes they may not have learned about in school. The high tech, immersive exhibit allows the tour group to virtually travel through time, visiting the Hispanic Union soldiers of the Civil War; marching with César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the farmworkers struggle; going to space with Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina to leave Earth’s atmosphere; meeting the youngest woman to ever serve in Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; and more. This ensemble of unlikely friends discover the rich history of Latinos in the United States, and gain new insights into their own American experiences.Sí, Se Puede shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked Latino heroes throughout US history, bringing their stories to life through the sequential action, illustrated characters, and lush color palette of a graphic novel.
About Artists & Writers:
Julio Anta is a writer based in New York City. He is the author of the mini-series HOME, as well as the graphic novels Frontera and Second Generation Blues. Julio strives to tell narratively rich stories about diverse and empowered Latino characters for adult, young adult, and middle grade readers.Yasmín Flores Montañez is a freelance illustrator and comic artist from Puerto Rico. She earned an MFA in Sequential Art at SCAD, and has created illustrations for Marvel Comics, IDW Publishing, Black Mask Studios, Scout Comics, and more. She enjoys crafting diverse cultural stories that are both action-packed and introspective. Her debut comic book series Goosebumps: Secrets of the Swamp was published in 2020.