Pura Belpre Award
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Pura Belpré Award Young Adult Author Award
The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), divisions of the ¹ú²úÊÓƵÍø (ALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ¹ú²úÊÓƵÍøaffiliate.
More information, including a listing of the winners of the Children's Author Award and the Youth Illustrator Award can be found .
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2023 Young Adult Author Award Winner
“Burn Down, Rise Up”
Written by Vincent Tirado
Published by Sourcebooks Fire, an imprint of Sourcebooks
Disappearances in the Bronx haven’t caused concern for Raquel, but when her mom comes down with a mysterious illness and her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, both characters must journey to a sinister underworld and play the Echo Game -- a game whose rules are based on a dark chapter in New York’s history. If Raquel and Charlize want to save their home and loved ones, they must play the game or die trying.
YOUNG ADULT AUTHOR HONOR BOOK(S)
“Breathe and Count Back from Ten”
Written by Natalia Sylvester
Published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to reclaim and feel safe in her own body.
“High Spirits”
Written by Camille Gomera-Tavarez
Published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido
These eleven interconnected short stories focus on the Belen family across multiple generations. This collection on the Dominican Diaspora explores themes of machismo, mental health, identity, and, of course, family.
“The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School”
Written by Sonora Reyes
Published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Yamilet Flores has the responsibility of keeping her brother out of trouble, making her mom proud, and not falling in love. After being ousted at her previous school, Yami must pretend to be straight to the only openly queer girl at school and avoid getting word back to her mom.
CHILDREN’S AUTHOR WINNER
“Frizzy”
Written by Claribel Ortega
Illustrated by Rose Bousamra
Published by First Second, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
To Marlene’s mother, “presentable” or “good” hair means straight. But Marlene detests the salon and doesn’t understand why her curls are not considered acceptable. With the help from Tia Ruby, Marlene learns to appreciate, care, and proudly wear her beautiful curly hair.
CHILDREN’S AUTHOR HONOR BOOK(S)
“The Coquíes Still Sing”
Written by Karina Nicole González
Illustrated by Krystal Quiles
Published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
A hurricane devastates Elena’s home in Puerto Rico. Alongside her family and community, they begin to rebuild and hope that the familiar sounds of the coquíes will return. Sounds that reflect hope, resilience, and the strength of the Puerto Rican people.
“The Notebook Keeper: A Story of Kindness from the Border”
Written by Stephen Briseño
Illustrated by Magdalena Mora
Published by Random House Studio, and imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House
After traveling to Tijuana, Mexico, Noemi and her mother are denied entry at the border and must find the refugee in charge of the notebook, an unofficial ledger of those waiting to cross into the United States.
“Tumble”
Written by Celia C. Pérez
Published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Before she decides whether to accept her stepfather’s proposal of adoption, twelve-year-old Adela Ramírez reaches out to her estranged biological father and eccentric family of wrestlers she has never met, bringing Adela closer to understanding the expansive definition of family.
YOUTH ILLUSTRATION WINNER
“Where Wonder Grows”
Illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia
Written by Xelena González
Published by Cinco Puntos Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc.
Magical rocks, seashells, crystals and meteorites, to Grandma’s Garden we go! Where wonder grows and stories blossom, a grandmother helps her granddaughters discover and appreciate the natural elements of mother earth.
YOUTH ILLUSTRATION HONOR BOOK(S)
“The Coquíes Still Sing”
Illustrated by Krystal Quiles
Written by Karina Nicole González
Published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
A hurricane devastates Elena’s home in Puerto Rico. Alongside her family and community, they begin to rebuild and hope that the familiar sounds of the coquíes will return. Sounds that reflect hope, resilience, and the strength of the Puerto Rican people.
“A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters”
Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
Written by Duncan Tonatiuh
Published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS
This lyrical title provides the historical preservation of Mesoamerican storytelling. Through pre-Columbian-inspired illustrations, Amoxtin, books that gather Mexihcah knowledge, culture and history, transcend the pages along with the process of how this ancient civilization passed them down to their future generations.
“Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land”
Illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
Written by Mirelle Ortega
Published by Cameron Kids, an imprint of Cameron + Company, a division of ABRAMS
From her family’s pineapple farm in Mexico, a young girl discovers the true meaning of magic. Through life’s highs and lows, the young narrator weaves her story with words of life’s transformations and changes that make life’s journey magical.
“Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez”
Illustrated by Loris Lora
Written by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers
This inspiring biography on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), the youngest congresswoman in America, highlights her life’s upbringing and determination. From her childhood in the Bronx to her journey to the Capitol Building, this title reminds readers their capability of making a difference.
“Srta. Quinces”
Illustrated by Kat Fajardo
Written by Kat Fajardo
Published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Translated by Scholastic Inc.
Suyapa / Sue only wants to spend her summer with friends but her family has other plans. They set off to visit their relatives in a rural town in Honduras with no reception or internet! There, Suyapa’s mother decides to throw her a surprise quinceañera -- the last thing Suyapa wanted.
“Still Dreaming / Seguimos Soñando”
Illustrated by Magdalena Mora
Written by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez
Translated by Luis Humberto Crosthwaite
Published by Children’s Book Press, an imprint of Lee & Low Books Inc.
A family is forced to flee their home in the United States or risk being separated. Along the way they meet others with a similar story - working class families forced to leave their dreams. Through captured emotions and beautiful scenery, this story depicts the Mexican Repatriation through the eyes of a child.
