© Mari Costa, 2026 (main image); Courtesy of Michelle Nicole Photography (Christina Diaz Gonzalez)
Celebrating Our Differences
In her latest books, author Christina Diaz Gonzalez celebrates what makes each of us special.
Christina Diaz Gonzalez grew up in a small town in Florida. Her parents are from a country called Cuba. Diaz Gonzalez was the only kid in her area who spoke Spanish. She rarely found characters like herself in books. So when she became a writer, she wanted to change that.
Diaz Gonzalez is the author of the graphic novels Invisible and Offside. They tell the stories of Hispanic kids from many different backgrounds. Diaz Gonzalez recently spoke with Scholastic News about her books.
Scholastic News: Why did you want to become an author?
Christina Diaz Gonzalez: As a kid, I loved reading. I imagined how cool it would be to share my own stories. When I grew up, I kind of drifted away from that dream. I studied other things in college. Then I became a mom. I saw my kids become big readers. They reminded me of myself growing up and how much I loved reading.
SN: What message did you want to share in Invisible?
CDG: In Invisible, the outside world sees these kids who speak Spanish or have a Spanish last name and lumps them all together. But the fact that you speak the same language doesn’t mean you have the same culture.
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SN: Why did you include English and Spanish in your books?
CDG: Many kids speak both languages or are learning English. They’re not really showcased in books. But some readers might not understand Spanish. So I wanted to include English too.
SN: What do you hope kids get out of your stories?
CDG: I hope they get an enjoyment of reading. I also hope kids understand that their voice matters. If they see an injustice, they can use their voices to effect change. Sometimes it takes kids to point things out for adults to really see them.
1. What does Christina Diaz Gonzalez say was missing from the books she read as a kid?
2. What does Christina Diaz Gonzalez want kids to know about Hispanic cultures?
3. According to the sidebar, what is the purpose of Hispanic Heritage Month?
