Pura Belpré Award Explained

Pura Belpré Award
Awarded For:Excellent portrayal of Latino experience in children's literature
Presenter:Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association
Country:United States
Year:1996

The Pura Belpré Award is a recognition presented to a Latino or Latina author and illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children or youth. It was established in 1996. It was given every other year since 1996 until 2009 when it was changed to be given annually.

The award is named in honor of Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library. As a children's librarian, storyteller, and author, she enriched the lives of Latino children through her pioneering work of preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore.

The award is given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA).

Criteria

From 1996 to 2020, two medals were awarded at ALA's annual conference, one to a Latinx author and one to a Latinx illustrator, for creating outstanding original children's (age 0-14) books that portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latinx cultural experience. Beginning in 2021, the author category was divided into two: one for a children's author and one for a young adult author. For the purpose of the award, "Latinx" is defined as people whose heritage emanates from any of the Spanish-speaking cultures of the Western Hemisphere.

To be eligible for the award, book must meet the following criteria:

Books are judged individually, not based on the author/illustrator's body of work nor whether the author/illustrator has previously received the award. Honor books may be named, but if suitable candidates are not found, the awards will not be presented in that year. One person may be selected to receive the awards in both categories.

Recipients

Pura Belpré Medal winners and honors
YearCategoryRecipientTitleResultRef.
1996authorWinner
Honor
Baseball in April, and Other StoriesHonor
illustratorChato's KitchenWinner
Pablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the DeadHonor
Honor
Cuadros de FamiliaHonor
1998authorParrot in the Oven: Mi Vida Winner[1]
Spirits of the High MesaHonor
Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primaveraHonor
illustrator Snapshots from the Wedding Winner
En mi familia Honor
Honor
Gathering the Sun: an Alphabet in Spanish and EnglishHonor
2000authorUnder the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba Winner
Del Ombligo de la Luna y Otro Poemas de VeranoHonor
Laughing out Loud, I Fly: Poems in English and SpanishHonor
illustratorMagic WindowsWinner
Barrio: José's NeighborhoodHonor
Honor
Mama & Papa Have a Store Honor
2002authorEsperanza RisingWinner
Breaking Through Honor
Iguanas in the SnowHonor
illustrator Chato and the Party Animals Winner
Juan Bobo Goes to Work Honor
2004authorBefore We Were FreeWinner
Cuba 15Honor
Mi Diario de Aquí Hasta Allá Honor
illustratorJust a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting BookWinner[2]
First Day in Grapes Honor
Honor
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez Honor
2006authorWinner[3]
Honor
Honor
Becoming Naomi LeónHonor
illustratorWinner
Arrorró, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle GamesHonor
Honor
Me Llamo Celia: La Vida de Celia Cruz Honor
2008authorWinner
Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban FolktaleHonor
Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live LifeHonor
Honor
illustratorWinner
Me llamo Gabito: la vida de Gabriel García MárquezHonor
Mis colores, mi mundoHonor
2009authorWinner[4] [5] [6]
Just In CaseHonor
Reaching OutHonor
Honor
illustratorJust In CaseWinner
Honor
Honor
What Can You Do With a RebozoHonor
2010authorReturn to SenderWinner[7] [8] [9]
Diego: Bigger Than LifeHonor
Federico García LorcaHonor
illustratorBook Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los librosWinner
Diego: Bigger Than LifeHonor
My AbuelitaHonor
Gracias • ThanksHonor
2011authorWinner[10] [11]
Honor
90 Miles to HavanaHonor
Honor
illustratorGrandma's GiftWinner
Fiesta BabiesHonor
Me, FridaHonor
Dear Primo: A Letter to My CousinHonor
2012authorUnder the MesquiteWinner[12]
Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate ShipwreckHonor
Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre ThrillerHonor
illustratorDiego Rivera: His World and OursWinner
Honor
Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match / Marisol McDonald no combinaHonor
2013authorAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the UniverseWinner[13]
Honor
illustratorMartin de Porres: The Rose in the DesertWinner
2014authorMeg MedinaYaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your AssWinner[14] [15]
Honor
Honor
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's TaleHonor
illustratorNiño Wrestles the WorldWinner
Maria Had a Little Llama/María Tenía una LlamitaHonor
Tito Puente: Mambo King/Rey del MamboHonor
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's TaleHonor
2015authorI Lived on Butterfly HillWinner[16]
Portraits of Hispanic American HeroesHonor
illustratorViva FridaWinner
Green Is a Chile PepperHonor
Little Roja Riding HoodHonor
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight for DesegregationHonor
2016authorEnchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A MemoirWinner[17]
Honor
Mango, Abuela, and MeHonor
illustratorWinner
My Tata's Remedies; Los remedios de mi tataHonor
Mango, Abuela, and MeHonor
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead CalaverasHonor
2017authorJuana & LucasWinner[18] [19]
Honor
illustratorLowriders to the Center of the EarthWinner
Esquivel!: Space-Age Sound ArtistHonor
Honor
2018authorLucky Broken GirlWinner[20]
Honor
Honor
illustratorLa Princesa and the PeaWinner[21]
All Around UsHonor
Frida Kahlo And Her AnimalitosHonor
2019authorWinner[22] [23]
They Call Me GüeroHonor
illustratorDreamers / SoñadoresWinner
When Angels SingHonor
IslandbornHonor
2020authorSal and Gabi Break the UniverseWinner[24]
Honor
Lety Out LoudHonor
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura BelpréHonor
Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great WarHonor
illustratorDancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President LincolnWinner
Across the BayHonor
Honor
My Papi Has a MotorcycleHonor
2021children's authorEfrén DividedWinner[25] [26]
Honor
Lupe Wong Won't DanceHonor
illustratorWinner[27]
Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano/Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. TelloHonor
young adult authorFuriaWinner[28]
Never Look BackHonor
Jenny Torres SanchezWe Are Not from hereHonor
2022children's authorWinner[29] [30] [31] [32]
Barefoot Dreams of Petra LunaHonor
Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the NahuaHonor
Honor
illustratorWinner
Boogie Boogie, Y’allHonor
May Your Life Be DeliciosaHonor
Bright StarHonor
Honor
young adult authorHow Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the UniverseWinner
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the SunHonor
Somewhere Between Bitter and SweetHonor
Where I BelongHonor
2023children's authorFrizzyWinner[33] [34]
Honor
Honor
Tumble Honor
illustratorWhere Wonder GrowsWinner
Honor
Honor
Magic: Once Upon a Faraway LandHonor
Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-CortezHonor
Srta. QuincesHonor
Still Dreaming/Seguimos soñandoHonor
young adult authorBurn Down, Rise UpWinner[35]
Breathe and Count Back from TenHonor
High SpiritsHonor
Honor
2024children's authorMexikid: A Graphic MemoirWinner[36]
AlebrijesHonor
Aniana del Mar Jumps InHonor
Benita y las Criaturas Nocturnas Honor
Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock Honor
Something Like Home Honor
illustratorMexikid: A Graphic MemoirWinner
Mi papá es un agrícola/My Father, the FarmworkerHonor
Papá's Magical Water-Jug ClockHonor
RememberingHonor
young adult authorSaints of the HouseholdWinner
Honor
Worm: A Cuban American OdysseyHonor

Recipients of multiple medals and honors

George Ancona, Yuyi Morales, and Duncan Tonatiuh have received medals or honors for their roles as both author and illustrator. Duncan Tonatiuh is the only person to receive multiple awards in one year for two different works.

Belpré Medals

One person has won six Belpré Medals.

Three people have won three Belpré Medals.

Multiple people have won two Belpré Medals: Julia Alvarez as author, Susan Guevara as illustrator, and Pam Muñoz Ryan as author.

Belpré Honors

One person has won eight Belpré Honors.

Two people won four Belpré Honors

Multiple people have won three Belpré Honors.

Multiple people have won two Belpré Honors. As illustrator: Amy Córdova, Angela Dominguez, and Carmen Lomas Garza.As author: Juan Felipe Herrera, and Francisco Jiménez as author.

Medal and Honor

Several authors have received both a Belpré Medal and a Belpré Honor: Raúl Colón, David Diaz, Margarita Engle, Carmen Lomas Garza, Susan Guevara, Rafael López, Meg Medina, Yuyi Morales, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Duncan Tonatiuh.

Works with multiple awards

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Roback . Diane . 1998-01-19 . PW: Newbery, Caldecott Winners Named . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225724/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/19980119/21508-pw-newbery-caldecott-winners-named.html . live .
  2. Web site: 2018-09-14 . Yuyi Morales: The Gifts That Immigrants Bring . 2023-07-01 . . 2023-02-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207222625/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=749 . live .
  3. Web site: 2006-01-24 . Newbery, Caldecott Honors and More . 2023-07-01 . . 2021-04-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417052325/https://shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=133 . live .
  4. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2009-01-26 . Newbery, Caldecott Announced in Denver . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225724/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/17579-newbery-caldecott-announced-in-denver.html . live .
  5. Web site: Kantor . Emma . 2017-05-16 . Margarita Engle Named Young People’s Poet Laureate . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2022-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206104118/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/73621-margarita-engle-named-young-people-s-poet-laureate.html . live .
  6. Web site: 2009-01-27 . Neil Gaiman Wins Newbery; Beth Krommes Wins Caldecott . 2023-07-01 . . 2017-10-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171001222444/http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=846 . live .
  7. Web site: Bluemle . Elizabeth . 2010-01-21 . 2009 Children’s Book Awards — A Round-Up . 2023-07-01 . Shelf Talker . . en-US . 2023-02-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230223195957/http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/shelftalker/?p=587 . live .
  8. Web site: Leavitt . Josie . 2010-01-19 . And the Winner Is… . 2023-07-01 . Shelf Talker . . en-US . 2020-10-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201005134739/http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/shelftalker/?p=594 . live .
  9. Web site: 2010-01-19 . Rebecca Stead Wins Newbery; Jerry Pinkney Wins Caldecott . 2023-07-01 . . 2022-10-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221006171535/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1093 . live .
  10. Web site: Bluemle . Elizabeth . 2011-01-13 . ALA Youth Media Awards: Which Publishers Are Celebrating? . 2023-07-01 . Shelf Talker . . en-US . 2022-12-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205181534/http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/shelftalker/?p=3938 . live .
  11. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2011-01-10 . Vanderpool, Stead, Bacigalupi Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2022-09-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902213614/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/45733-vanderpool-stead-bacigalupi-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  12. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2012-01-23 . Gantos, Raschka, Whaley Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-02-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204144729/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/50319-gantos-raschka-whaley-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  13. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2013-01-28 . Applegate, Klassen, Lake Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2021-10-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211022181603/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/55697-applegate-klassen-lake-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  14. Web site: Lodge . Sally . 2018-05-30 . BookExpo 2018: Meg Medina Revisits Middle Grade . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225724/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/77009-meg-medina-revisits-middle-grade.html . live .
  15. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2014-01-27 . DiCamillo, Floca, Sedgwick Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127210019/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/60805-dicamillo-floca-sedgwick-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  16. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2015-02-02 . Alexander, Santat, Nelson Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-01-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230126221234/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/65476-alexander-santat-nelson-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  17. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2016-01-11 . De la Peña, Blackall, Ruby Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-04-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409100707/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/69117-de-la-pe-a-blackall-ruby-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  18. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2017-01-23 . Barnhill, Steptoe, 'March: Book Three' Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2018-04-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180409121456/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/72580-barnhill-steptoe-march-book-three-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  19. Web site: 2023-03-24 . Elena Rides . 2023-07-01 . shelf-awareness.com.
  20. Web site: Roback . Diane . 2018-02-12 . Kelly, Cordell, LaCour Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2018-04-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180402102228/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/76045-kelly-cordell-lacour-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  21. Web site: 2020-02-03 . Sibert Medal Winner: Juana Martinez-Neal, Fry Bread . 2023-07-01 . . 2023-02-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207123911/https://shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3667 . live .
  22. Web site: Lodge . Sally . 2019-01-29 . Elizabeth Acevedo 'Honored' by Her Printz Award . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406114509/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/79141-elizabeth-acevedo-honored-by-her-printz-award.html . live .
  23. Web site: Kantor . Emma . Roback . Diane . 2019-01-28 . Medina, Blackall, Acevedo Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2022-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221206105205/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/79128-medina-blackall-acevedo-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  24. Web site: Kantor . Emma . Roback . Diane . 2020-01-27 . Craft, Kadir, King Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2022-12-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205170402/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/82268-craft-kadir-king-win-newbery-caldecott-printz.html . live .
  25. Web site: Roback . Diane . Kantor . Emma . 2021-01-25 . Keller, Goade, Nayeri Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2021-11-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211116213633/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/85396-keller-goade-nayeri-win-newbery-caldecott-printz-awards.html . live .
  26. Web site: 2021 Youth Media Awards . 2023-07-01 . . 2023-04-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230413060404/https://www.slj.com/page/2021YouthMediaAwards . live .
  27. Web site: 2021-02-04 . Raúl the Third: Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Winner . 2023-07-01 . . 2022-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221209151141/https://shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3916 . live .
  28. Web site: 2021-02-03 . Yamile Saied Méndez: Inaugural Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award Winner . 2023-07-01 . . 2022-12-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221227031928/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3915 . live .
  29. Web site: Lodge . Sally . 2022-01-25 . Donna Barba Higuera's Newbery Win: A Dual Celebration . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-02-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204101645/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/88374-donna-barba-higuera-s-newbery-win-a-dual-celebration.html . live .
  30. Web site: Roback . Diane . Kantor . Emma . 2022-01-24 . Barba Higuera, Chin, Boulley Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2022-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124193121/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/88358-barba-higuera-chin-boulley-win-newbery-caldecott-printz-awards.html . live .
  31. Web site: 2022 Youth Media Awards . 2023-07-01 . . 2023-05-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505101456/https://www.slj.com/page/2022YouthMediaAwards . live .
  32. Web site: Enriquez . Grace . 2022-02-22 . 2022 Newbery and Pura Belpré Award winner: The Last Cuentista . 2023-07-01 . The Classroom Bookshelf . . en-US . 2023-03-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230323050213/https://theclassroombookshelf.com/2022/02/22/2022-newbery-and-pura-belpre-award-winner-the-last-cuentista/ . live .
  33. Web site: Roback . Diane . Kantor . Emma . Jones . Iyana . 2023-01-30 . Luqman-Dawson, Salati, and Tahir Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz Awards . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-03-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330172310/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/91407-luqman-dawson-salati-and-tahir-win-newbery-caldecott-printz-awards.html . live .
  34. Web site: 2023 Youth Media Awards . 2023-07-01 . . 2023-04-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405193041/https://www.slj.com/page/2023YouthMediaAwards . live .
  35. Web site: Tirado . Vincent . 2023-02-09 . A YA Author's Journey to Writing an Award-Winning Afrolatine Horror Novel . 2023-07-01 . . en . 2023-02-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230212181245/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/91500-a-ya-author-s-journey-to-writing-an-award-winning-black-horror-novel.html . live .
  36. Web site: American Library Association announces 2024 Youth Media Award winners . American Library Association . 22 January 2024 . 22 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240122160022/https://www.ala.unikron.com/_files/ugd/48581a_bfae9b1a05ff4fe59f6fe7976304e537.pdf . live .