HCPL Kids Know It All - Kids Read - Book Lists

The Pura Belpré Award

En Español

The Pura Belpré Award is named in honor of the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library. It is awarded biennially to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work captures the Latino cultural experience in a work for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Service to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, affiliated with the American Library Association.

	2008 Author-Margarita Engle. The Poet Slave of Cuba Juan Francisco Manzano was born in 1797 into the household of wealthy slaveowners in Cuba. He spent his early years at the side of his owner's wife, entertaining her friends. His poetry was his outlet, reflecting the beauty and cruelty of his world. Written in verse.
	2008 Illustrator-Yuyi Morales with text by Marisa Montes. Los Gatos Black on Halloween Easy to read, rhyming text about Halloween night incorporates Spanish words, from las brujas riding their broomsticks to los monstruos whose monstrous ball is interrupted by a true horror.
	2006 Author-Viola Canales. Tequila Worm Sofia grows up in the close-knit community of the barrio in McAllen, Texas, then finds that her experiences as a scholarship student at an Episcopal boarding school in Austin only strengthen her ties to family and her "comadres."
	2006 Illustrator-Raul Colon with text by Pat Mora. Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman With a Great Big Heart Doña Flor, a giant lady with a big heart, sets off to protect her neighbors from what they think is a dangerous animal, but soon discovers the tiny secret behind the huge noise.
	2004 Author-Julia Alvarez. Before We Were Free In the early 1960s in the Dominican Republic, twelve-year-old Anita learns that her family is involved in the underground movement to end the bloody rule of the dictator, General Trujillo.
	2004 Illustrator-Yuyi Morales. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book This bilingual English-Spanish counting book reveals Mexican traditions sure to be adored by kids everywhere.
	2002 Author - Pam Munoz Ryan. Esperanza Rising Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.
	2002 Illustrator - Susan Guevara with text by Gary Soto. Chato and the Party Animals Chato decides to throw a "pachanga" for his friend Novio Boy, who has never had a birthday party, but when it is time to party, Novio Boy cannot be found.
	2000 Author - Alma Flor Ada. Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba The author recalls her life and impressions growing up in Cuba.
	2000 Illustrator - Carmen Lomas Garza. Magic Windows In English and Spanish, Carmen Lomas Garza portrays her family's Mexican customs through cut-paper work.
	1998 Author - Victor Martinez. Parrot in the Oven: mi vida Manny relates his coming of age experiences as a member of a poor Mexican American family in which the alcoholic father only adds to everyone's struggle.
	1998 Illustrator - Stephanie Garcia with text by Gary Soto Snapshots from the Wedding Maya, the flower girl, describes a Mexican American wedding through snapshots of the day's events, beginning with the procession to the altar and ending with her sleeping after the dance.
	1996 Author - Judith Ortiz Cofer. An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio Twelve stories about young people caught between their Puerto Rican heritage and their American surroundings.
	1996 Illustrator - Gary Soto. Baseball in April, and Other Stories A collection of eleven short stories focusing on the everyday adventures of Hispanic young people growing up in Fresno, California.