Puerto Rican literature facts for kids
Puerto Rico has a lively world of books, poems, and plays! Most of these are written in Spanish. But sometimes, Puerto Rican writers mix Spanish and English, or even write entirely in English. Some of the most important authors are René Marqués, Julia de Burgos, Rosario Ferrer, Luis Rafael Sanchez, Giannina Braschi, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Esmeralda Santiago.
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Amazing Women Writers
Puerto Rican women who write novels have become very famous around the world. They have won many awards, and their books have been translated into lots of different languages. They write funny stories, poems, and essays about politics.
Some of these talented storytellers include:
- Rosario Ferrer (who wrote Eccentric Neighborhoods)
- Giannina Braschi (author of United States of Banana)
- Ana Lydia Vega (who wrote Pollito Chicken)
- Mayra Santos (author of Sirena Selena)
- Esmeralda Santiago (who wrote When I Was Puerto Rican)
The main female poets are Julia de Burgos, known for lyrical poems like "Yo fui mi ruta," and Giannina Braschi, who wrote the long poem "Empire of Dreams."
Nuyorican Literature: Stories from New York
In the 1900s, many Puerto Ricans moved to New York City to find new opportunities. People call them "Nuyorican," which means Puerto Ricans living in New York.
Novels About City Life
Two very famous Nuyorican novels are Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas and Yo-Yo Boing! by Giannina Braschi. Both books tell stories about what life is like for immigrants in New York City. They also show the difficult parts of trying to achieve the "American Dream." Both novels also use a mix of Spanish and English, called Spanglish.
Poets of the Nuyorican Movement
The Nuyorican movement is a group of poets, writers, artists, and musicians. They create art about Puerto Rican life in New York City.
Some of the male poets include:
- Miguel Algarin
- Tato Laviera
- Pedro Pietri (who wrote Masses are Asses)
- Miguel Pinero (author of Outlaw)
The main Nuyorican women poets are Sandra Maria Esteves and Giannina Braschi, who wrote "Empire of Dreams."
Theater and Plays
The most famous Puerto Rican playwright is Lin-Manuel Miranda. He created the amazing Broadway musical Hamilton. Miranda's musical has won many awards, like the Drama Desk Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is about the American Revolution in 1776.
Actress Rosie Perez wrote her life story in a book called "Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling..." (2014).
Other famous Puerto Rican plays include Short Eyes by Miguel Pinero and The Oxcart by René Marqués. There are also Latino theater groups that perform Puerto Rican plays, such as Pregones, Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, and Aguijon Theater.
Important Puerto Rican Authors
Here are some well-known Puerto Rican authors:
Born in Puerto Rico, USA
- Giannina Braschi (known for Empire of Dreams)
- Julia de Burgos (who wrote "Río Grande de Loíza")
- Victor Hernández Cruz (author of Snaps)
- Tato Laviera (known for La Carreta Made a U Turn)
- Judith Ortiz Cofer (who wrote Reaching for the Mainland)
- Luis Palés Matos (author of Tuntún de pasa y grifería)
- Pedro Pietri (known for Puerto Rican Obituary)
- Miguel Piñero (who wrote Lower East Side Poem)
- Mayra Santos-Febres (author of Anamu y manigua)
Born in the United States
- Jack Agüeros (known for Sonnets from the Puerto Rican)
- Martín Espada (who wrote Imagine the Angels of Bread)
- Sandra Maria Esteves (author of Yerba Buena)
- Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of the Broadway musical Hamilton)
- Piri Thomas (known for Down These Mean Streets)
- William Carlos Williams (an epic poet, author of Paterson)
Related pages
- Puerto Rico
- American literature
- Latina poetry
- Spanglish
Images for kids
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Father Diego de Torres Vargas
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The Nuyorican Poets Café building on East 3rd street
See also
In Spanish: Literatura de Puerto Rico para niños
