Latino stats American Hispanics by the numbers

Today, 53 million Latinos live in the US, and Latino Stats provides an informative, positive portrait of this fast-growing population group. The book, written by Malavé and Giordani, a Hispanic American mother and daughter research team, provides statistical data gathered primarily from government, private sector, nonprofit, and media sources. Ten chapters cover the basics of immigration, voting and politics, jobs and the economy, family and community, youth and education, health and environment, criminal justice, entertainment, technology, and sports and identity. Each chapter starts with a quote from a famous Hispanic American followed by a short introduction and a section called "Snap Stats," which clarifies noteworthy misconceptions about these diverse groups. The bulk of each chapter is presented as a statistical question-and-answer section called "By the Numbers." The book is well-written and well-organized, contains an extensive bibliography, and is instructive for students gathering statistical information because the authors consistently provide extensive notes pointing to the sources. Latino Stats is also an excellent resource for advocates, educators, and policy makers who want to raise awareness and increase understanding of American Hispanics. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. --Leticia Camacho, Brigham Young University

By 2050, nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population will claim Latino heritage, and trends within this demographic will impact more Americans than ever before. Malavé and Giordani, a mother-and-daughter research team of Puerto Rican heritage, have compiled hundreds of stats, facts, and figures to catalog such trends among Latinos, including linguistic practices, voting habits, economic impact, incarceration rates, and more. Much of the information may not be surprising, such as the increasing numbers of Latino citizens and the lack of Latino CEOs and politicians. But the most interesting tidbits provide starting points for productive conversation, like the fact that U.S. racial categories don't accommodate Latinos well, as evinced by nearly 40 percent of Latino respondents to the 2010 census identifying as other, or the fact that from 1929-39 the U.S. illegally deported 600,000 citizens of Latino descent. While the authors stop short of drawing clear conclusions, and the quoted figures occasionally alternate between percentages and raw numbers, each concise chapter is thoroughly researched, with extensive citations for further reading. An accessible and stimulating primer.--Báez, Diego Copyright 2015 Booklist