As a category, junior novels can span a wide range of reading abilities and are often referred to by various names. It includes early readers as well as chapter books. Generally, they are marketed to second through fourth graders.

Here are a couple of recommended junior novels to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month:

Juana and Lucas by Juana Medina

“Juana…likes drawing, the superhero Astroman, and eating Brussels sprouts. She loves Bogotá, reading, her mother, and her dog, Lucas. When she finds out they will be learning to speak English in school, Juana is not happy. She’s got trouble enough with learning math. English is muy hard. Told from Juana’s point of view with humor and drama, using capitalized words, periods separating words for emphasis, and a good sprinkling of Spanish words throughout, the book makes clear there’s a universality to Juana’s story. (Fiction. 5-9)”

(Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It at a Library Near You on WorldCat

El toro & friends. Training Day by Raúl the Third  and colored by Elaine Bay 

“Poor Kooky Dooky—¿Qué va hacer? What’s he going to do? This quirky, early-reader spinoff of the ¡Vamos! series follows exasperated trainer Kooky Dooky as he pulls all the stops to get and keep El Toro out of bed. How about a big breakfast? Nope. After a gigantic belch, the sluggish luchador nose-dives under the covers. The rooster lures his trainee out of the bed with smelly shoes and a promise to go easy. Finally the training program gets results: Obstreperous chickens are caught by hand—er, hoof; the unplugged mechanical bull is dominated; the “Spiked Piñatas of DOOM” are pulverized; junk cars are crushed; and abuelas are helped across the street. Todo es listo—all is ready. Today El Toro will obliterate The Wall (pun very much intended—one of The Wall’s fans sports a distinctive blond ’do and orange skin)…Comic-book and lucha libre fans alike will not tap out of this semibilingual smackdown. (Early reader. 4-8)” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

Find It at a Library Near You on WorldCat

My knowledge of junior novels is shallow, hence only a couple of recommendations. For more, check out the Latinx KidLit Book Festival database of chapter books.