Award Books

Pura Belpre Award: YA Author Winner. 2023
When an urban legend rumored to trap people inside subway tunnels seems to be behind mysterious disappearances in the Bronx, sixteen-year-old Raquel and her friends team up to save their city--and confront a dark episode in its history in the process.
For over a year the Bronx has been plagued by unexplained disappearances. Raquel does her best to ignore it: after all, the police only look for the white kids. Then her crush Charlize's cousin goes missing-- and Raquel's mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances. Raquel and Charlize discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York's past. If the friends want to save their home-- and everyone they love--, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil. Or die trying. -- adapted from jacket

Pura Belpre Award: YA Author Winner. 2023

Pura Belpre Honor: YA Author 2023; Schneider Family Book Award. Teen Honor. 2023
"Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body. Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor. She decides it's time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her--the truth about her own body."--Amazon.

Pura Belpre Honor: YA Author 2023; Schneider Family Book Award. Teen Honor. 2023

Pura Belpre Honor: YA Author 2023 "High Spirits is a collection of eleven interconnected short stories from the Dominican diaspora, from debut author Camille Gomera-Tavarez. It is a book centered on one extended family - the Beléns - across multiple generations. It is set in the fictional small town of Hidalpa - and Santo Domingo and Paterson and San Juan and Washington Heights too. It is told in a style both utterly real and distinctly magical - and its stories explore machismo, mental health, family, and identity. But most of all, High Spirits represents the first book from Camille Gomera-Tavarez, who takes her place as one of the most extraordinary new voices to emerge in years."--Front jacket flap.

Pura Belpre Honor: YA Author 2023

Pura Belpre Honor: YA 2023; William C. Morris Debut YA Honor. 2023
Sixteen-year-old Mexican American Yami Flores starts Catholic school, determined to keep her brother out of trouble and keep herself closeted, but her priorities shift when Yami discovers that her openly gay classmate Bo is also annoyingly cute.

Pura Belpré Children's Author Award winner, 2023 "Marlene loves three things: art, her cool tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend, Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only things she needs to focus on are school and growing up. That means straightening her hair every weekend so she can have 'presentable,' 'good' hair. But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tía Ruby--she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair."-­--Back cover.

Pura Belpre Honor: Children's Author 2023
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. Includes author's note.

Pura Belpre Honor: Children's Author 2023; Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children's Book Award 2023
Before she decides whether to accept her stepfather's proposal of adoption, twelve-year-old Adela Ramírez reaches out to her estranged biological father--who is in the midst of a career comeback as a luchador--and the eccentric extended family of wrestlers she has never met, bringing Adela closer to understanding the expansive definition of family

Pura Belpre Honor: Children's Author 2023; Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children's Book Award 2023

Pura Belpre Award Book Youth Illustration 2023 Three girls follow their grandmother into her garden, where they examine her collection of rocks, crystals, shells, and meteorites and learn about the marvels they reveal.

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023
"Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family's beloved mango tree--their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, "You are home, you are safe." But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows."--Provided by publisher.

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023
Illustrations and text describe how the Mixtecs create painted manuscripts, or codices, that reflect their way of life and document their history, science, land tenure, tribute, and sacred rituals.

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023
Growing up on a pineapple farm in Mexico, a young girl discovers the magic in everyday transformations that take place around her.

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023
An inspiring biography of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from Pura Belpré Honor-winning creators Anika Aldamuy Denise and Loris Lora! In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest congresswoman in America. How did this young Puertoriquena become an unstoppable force in politics? Find out in this accessible and engaging book for young readers. AOC's remarkable story begins in her childhood Bronx home and comes full circle the moment AOC became America's youngest Congresswoman. Ocasio-Cortez's empowering journey reminds us that everyone, regardless of their age, race, creed, wealth, or zip code, is capable of being a voice for cha

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023
"Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family?"--Provided by publisher.

Pura Belpre Honor:Youth Illustration 2023
"Sue solo quiere pasar el verano leyendo y haciendo cómics en el campamento con sus amigos, pero en lugar de eso se embarca con sus padres y sus dos hermanas en un viaje a Honduras a visitar a la familia, que vive en medio del campo, ¡así que no podrá mandar mensajes y no tendrá cable ni internet! Las cosas empeoran cuando la mamá de Sue anuncia que le harán una quinceañera sorpresa a la chica, aunque esto es lo último que ella desearía. ¡No se imagina vistiendo un vestido enorme, abultado y colorido! ¿Qué podrá hacer? ¿Cómo sobrevivirá todo este tiempo con sus revoltosos familiares?"-- Amazon.com.
"Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family?"--Amazon.com.

Pura Belpre Honor: Youth Illustration 2023 A child dreams of a life without borders after he and and his parents are forced to leave their home during the Mexican Repatriation"--Provided by publisher.

Pura Belpré Youth Illustrator Award Winner, 2022
Little Lobo and Bernabé are bringing supplies to the big celebration in the country across the bridge -- but everyone else seems to be going, too! During the long delay, they see all kinds of people on the bridge for different reasons and speaking different languages, but when someone has a grumpy moment, they all come together to make the wait as good as can be.

Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Winner, 2022
When seventeen-year-old Star Fuentez reaches social media stardom, her polar-opposite twin, Moon, becomes "merch girl" on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and the grumpy but attractive Santiago Philips.
When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate to be nothing more than her sister's camerawoman. Then Moon takes a summer job as the "merch girl" on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible. Most notable is her bunkmate and new nemesis, Santiago Phillips, who is grumpy, combative, and also the hottest guy Moon has ever seen. As chance, destiny, and proximity bring the two of them in each other's perpetual paths, Moon starts to question her destiny as the unnoticed, unloved wallflower she always thought she was. -- adapted from jacket

Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Winner, 2022
"Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family's beloved mango tree--their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, "You are home, you are safe." But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows."--Provided by publisher.

Pura Belpre Children's Author Award winner, 2022; Newbery Medal, Winner 2022
"A girl named Petra Pena, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita. But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children - among them Petra and her family - have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race. Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet - and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard - or purged them altogether. Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again? "--Publisher's description.

Pura Belpre Children's Author Award winner, 2022; Newbery Medal, Winner 2022

Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Honor, 2022
Told in two voices, Pen, whose dream of taking over her family's restaurant has been destroyed, and Xander, a new, undocumented, employee seeking his father, form a bond.
As an aspiring pastry chef, Penelope Prado has always dreamed of opening her own pastelería next to her father's restaurant, Nacho's Tacos. But her traditional Mexican-American mom and dad have different plans. Xander Amaro Is a new hire at Nacho's. For him, the job is an opportunity for a chance at a normal life, to settle in at his abuelo's, and to find the father who left him behind. When both the restaurant and Xander's immigrant status are threatened, he will

Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Honor, 2022

Pura Belpre Honor: Children & Illustration 2022
"A nurturing voice reassures the lonely and afraid in difficult times"--Provided by publisher.

Pura Belpré Honor Book, Youth Illustrator, 2022
Lively and colorful with a read-aloud beat, this picture book celebrates the rich culture of the Boogie Down Bronx, inviting readers to an epic block party!

Pura Belpré Youth Illustrator Honor, 2022; Pura Belpré Children's Author Honor, 2022
"When Miguel and his parents move from Puerto Rico to the U.S. mainland, Miguel misses their home, his grandparents, and his pet frog, Coquí, but he soon realizes that New York City has more in common with back home than he originally thought."--Provided by publisher.
"La mascota de Miguel, Coquí, siempre anda con el: mientras saluda a sus vecinos en San Juan, compra quesitos en la panadería y mientras escucha la historia de su abuelo cuando conoció al famoso pelotero Roberto Clemente. Un día Miguel se entera que el y sus padres se mudarán a los Estados Unidos, lo cual significa dejar atrás a sus amados abuelos, su hogar en Puerto Rico y también a Coquí. La vida en la ciudad de Nueva York es abrumadora, con lugares, comidas y personas desconocidas. Sin embargo cuando el y Mamá se van a explorar, descubren algunos lugares similares que les recuerdan a casa y Miguel se da cuenta que hay una posibilidad de mantener un poco de Puerto Rico con el --incluyendo su amor por Coquí-- a donde quiera que vaya."--Amazon.com

Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor, 2022
Each year on Christmas Eve, Rosie's abuela teaches her not only how to make a delicious tamale, but how to make a delicious life--one filled with love, plenty of spice, and family.

Pura Belpre Young Adult Honor, 2022
Julián Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others that have forced Jules into an inauthentic life. Then in one reckless moment, with one impulsive tweet, his plans for a low-key nine months are thrown--literally--out the closet. The downside: the whole world knows, and Jules has to prepare for rejection. The upside: Jules now has the opportunity to be his real self. Then Mat, a cute, empathetic Twitter crush from Los Angeles, slides into Jules's DMs. Jules can tell him anything. Mat makes the world seem conquerable. But when Jules's fears about coming out come true, the person he needs most is fifteen hundred miles away. Jules has to face them alone. Jules accidentally propelled himself into the life he's always dreamed of. And now that he's in control of it, what he does next is up to him."--Jacket flap.

Pura Belpre Young Adult Honor Book 2022
"Guatemalan-American high school senior Millie Vargas struggles to balance her family's needs with her own ambitions, especially after her mother's employer, a Senate candidate, uses Millie as a poster child for 'deserving' immigrants"--Provided by publisher.
2018. Guatemalan-American high school senior Milagros "Millie" Vargas has lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, since her parents sought asylum there when she was a baby. Now a citizen, Millie cares for her younger siblings while her mom works as a housekeeper for the wealthy Wheeler family. She is disturbed by what is happening to asylum-seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border, but doesn't see herself as an activist or a change-maker. Then Mr. Wheeler, a U.S. Senate candidate, mentions Millie's achievements in a campaign speech about "deserving" immigrants, and her family is placed at the center of a statewide immigration debate. Millie must consider her place in the country that she believed was home. -- adapted from jacket

Pura Belpre Young Adult Honor Book 2022

Pura Belpre Children's Author Honor Book, 2022
"Based on a true story, the tale of one girl's perilous journey to cross the U.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution"--Provided by publisher.

Pura Belpre Children's Author Honor Book, 2022

Pura Belpré Award, Children's Author Honor, 2022
A fictionalized account of a Nahua woman who grew up in Mexico during the early 1900s, became a model for artists, worked with scholars to preserve Nahuatl language and stories, and was known as the "soul of Mexico."

Pura Belpré Award, Children's Author Honor, 2022