The Pura Belpré Awards, named for the first Latina librarian at the New York Public library, are given each year in co-sponsorship by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and REFORMA, The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking. They are presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for children and youth.
This list is a guide to the Pura Belpré books that can be found in our Curriculum collection. The titles link to our online catalog, which will provide more information, including the current availability of the book, and indicate other UW system sources for the book if ours in checked out.
Most call numbers are for copies that can be checked out. (PICT) call numbers are in the Picture Book section. (REF) call numbers are in the CCM Reference area, and do not circulate.
Please note that the author and illustrator are listed individually when the book is the work of two people. If no illustrator is listed, the author is also the illustrator.
2023 Winners
2023 Honor Books
Srta. Quinces (Miss Quinces) by 
Still Dreaming / Seguimos Soñando by 
Children’s author honor books: Tumble by 
Young Adult author honor books:Breathe and Count Back from Ten by 
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by 2022
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Carlos Hernandez. Sal and Gabi Break the Universe H5565s 2019
HONOR Rebecca Balcárcel. The Other Half of Happy B174o 2019
Angela Cervantes. Lety Out Loud C418l 2019
Anika Aldamuy Denise. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré 921 B453d 2019
Duncan Tonatiuh. Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War 921 S127t 2019
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Rafael López. Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln. 921 C3145e 2019
HONOR Carlos Aponte. Across the Bay (PICT) A644a 2019
Raúl Gonzalez ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market (PICT) R245v 2019
Zeke Peña My Papi Has a Motorcycle (PICT) Q784m 2019
2021
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Ernesto Cisneros. Efrén Divided C5787e 2020
HONOR Adrianna Cueveas. The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez C9658t 2020
Donna Barba Higuera. Lupe Wong Won't Dance H6389l 2020
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Raúl Gonzalez. ¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat R245ve 2020
HONOR Elisa Chavarri. Sharuko: El Arqueólogo Peruano/Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello 921 T277b 2020
YOUNG ADULT AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Yamile Saied Méndez. Furia M5383f 2020
HONOR Lilliam Rivera. Never Look Back R6216n 2020
Jenny Torres Sanchez. We Are Not from here T6938w 2020
2020
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Carlos Hernandez. Sal and Gabi Break the Universe H5565s 2019
HONOR Rebecca Balcárcel. The Other Half of Happy B174o 2019
Angela Cervantes. Lety Out Loud C418l 2019
Anika Aldamuy Denise. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré 921 B453d 2019
Duncan Tonatiuh. Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War 921 S127t 2019
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Rafael López. Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln 921 C3145e 2019
HONOR Carlos Aponte. Across the Bay (PIC) A644a 2019
Raúl Gonzalez. ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market (PIC) R245v 2019
Zeke Peña. My Papi Has a Motorcycle (PIC) Q784m 2019
2019
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Acevedo, Elizabeth. The Poet X: A Novel. A174p 2018
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Morales, Yuyi. Dreamers. 921 M828d 2018
HONOR Diaz, Junot. (Illustrated by Leo Espinosa). Islandborn. (PICT) D5425i 2018
2018
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Behar, Ruth. Lucky Broken Girl. B4195l 2017
HONOR Cartaya, Pablo. The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora. C322e 2017b
Pérez, Celia C. The First Rule of Punk. P4374f 2017
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
HONOR Brown, Monica. (Illustrated by John Parra). Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos. 921 K12br 2017
2017
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Medina, Juana. Juana & Lukas. M488j 2016
HONOR Diaz, Alexandra. The Only Road. D542o 2016
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Camper, Cathy. (Illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez). Lowriders to the Center of the Earth. C194lc 2016
HONOR Tonatiuh, Duncan. The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes. 398.2 T664p 2016
2016
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Engle, Margarita. Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir. 921 E578e 2015
HONOR Bowles, David. The Smoking Mirror. B7874s 2015
Medina, Meg. (Illustrated by Angela Dominquez). Mango, Abuela, and Me. (Pict) M489m 2015
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Engle, Margarita. (Illustrated by Rafael López). Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music. (Pict) E578d 2015
HONOR Medina, Meg. (Illustrated by Angela dominquez). Mango, Abuela, and Me. (Pict) M489m 2015
Rivera-Ashford, Roni Capin Rivera. (Illustrated by Antonio Castro L.). My Tata's Remedies = Los Remedios de mi Tata. 460 R622m 2015
2015
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Agosin, Marjorie. (Illustrated by Lee White). I Lived on Butterfly Hill. A275i 2014 / (Ref) Américas 2015 A275i 2014 / (SPL) PZ7.A2686 Iah 2014
HONOR Herrera, Juan Felipe. (Illustrated by Raúl Colón). Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes. 920 H565p 2014 / (Ref) Américas 2015 920 H565p 2014
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Morales, Yuyi. Viva Frida! 460 M828v 2014
HONOR Elya, Susan Middleton. (Illustrated by Susan Guevara). Little Roja Riding Hood. (Pict) E5238l 2014
Thong, Roseanne Greenfield. (Illustrated by John Parra). Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors. (Pict) T486g 2014 / (Ref) Américas 2014 T486g 2014
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family's Fight for Desegregation. 379.263 T664s 2014 / (Ref) Américas 2015 379.263 T664s 2014
2014
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Medina, Meg. Yagui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. M489y 2013 / (Ref) Américas 2014 M489y 2013
HONOR Engle, Margarita. The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist. 921 G6332e 2013 / (Ref) Américas 2014 921 G6332e 2013
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale. T664p 2013 / (Ref) Américas 2014 T664p 2013
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Morales, Yuyi. Niño Wrestles the World. (Pict) M828n 2013
HONOR Brown, Monica. (Illustrated by Rafael López). Tito Puente: Mambo King = Tito Puente: Rey del Mambo. 921 P9775b 2013 / (Ref) Américas 2014 921 P9775b 2013
Dominguez, Angela. Maria Had a Little Llama = Maria Tenia una llamita. D6712m 2013 / (Ref) Américas 2014 D6712m 2013
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale. T664p 2013 / (Ref) Américas 2014 T664p 2013
2013
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Sáenz, Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. S127a 2012 / (Ref) Américas 2013 S127a 2012
HONOR Manzano, Sonia. The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. M2962r 2012 / (Ref) Américas 2013 M2962r 2012
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Schmidt, Gary D. (Illustrated by David Diaz). Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert. 271.2 S351m 2012 / (Ref) 2013 271.2 S351m 2012
2012
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL McCall, Guadalupe Garcia. Under the Mesquite. M4779u 2011 / (Ref) Américas 2012 M4779u 2011
HONOR Engle, Margarita. Hurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck. 811.54 E582h 2011 / (Ref) Américas 2012 811.54 E582h 2011
Garza, Xavier. Maximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller. 460 G245m 2011
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Tonatiuh, Duncan. Diego Rivera: His World and Ours. 921 R621t 2011
HONOR Brown, Monica. (Illustrated by Sara Palacios). Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match = Marisol McDonald No Combina. 460 B8856m 2011
Vamos, Samantha R. (Illustrated by Rafael López). The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred. (Pict) V216c
2011
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Ryan, Pam Muñoz. (Illustrated by Peter Sís). The Dreamer. R9892d / (Ref) Américas 2011 R9892d
HONOR Ancona, George. ¡Ole! Flamenco. 793.3 A542o 2010 / (Ref) Américas 2011 793.3 A542o 2010
Engle, Margarita. The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba. 813.54 E578f 2010 / (Ref) Américas 2011 813.54 E578f 2010
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Velasquez, Eric. Grandma's Gift. (Pict) V434g / Américas 2011 V434g
HONOR Novesky, Amy. (Illustrated by David Diaz). Me, Frida. 921 K21n 2010 / (Ref) Américas 2011 921 K21n 2010
Tafolla, Carmen. (Illustrated by Amy Cordova). Fiesta Babies. (Pict) T1231f / (Ref) Américas 2011 T1231f
Tonatiuh, Duncan. Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin. T664d 2010 / (Ref) Américas 2011 T664d 2010
2010
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Alvarez, Julia. Return to Sender. A473r / (Ref) Américas 2010 A473r
HONOR Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. (Illustrated by David Diaz). Diego: Bigger Than Life. 921 R621be / (Ref) Américas 2010 921 R621be
Lázaro, Georgina. (Illustrated by Enrique S. Moreiro). Federico García Lorca. 460 L431f
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Mora, Pat. (Illustrated by Rafael López). Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day = Celebremos El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros. M827b 2009 / (Ref) Américas 2010 M827b 2009
HONOR Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. (Illustrated by David Diaz). Diego: Bigger Than Life. 921 R621be / (Ref) Américas 2010 921 R621be
Johnston, Tony. (lllustrated by Yuyi Morales). My Abuelita. (Pict) J735my 2009 / (Ref) Américas 2010 J735my 2009
Mora, Pat. (Illustrated by John Parra). Gracias = Thanks. 460 M827g
2009
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom. 811.54 E582s 2008 / (Ref) Américas 2009 811.54 E582s 2008
HONOR González, Lucía. (Illustrated by Lulu Delacre). The Storyteller's Candle = La Velita de los cuentos. 460 G6436s / (Ref) Américas 2009 G6436s
Jiménez, Francisco. Reaching Out. J614r 2008 / (Ref) Américas 2009 J614r 2008
Morales, Yuyi. Just In Case: a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. (Pict) M828ji / (Ref) Américas 2009 M828ji
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Morales, Yuyi. Just In Case: a trickster tale and Spanish alphabet book. (Pict) M828ji / (Ref) Américas 2009 M828ji
HONOR Dorros, Arthur. (Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez). Papá and Me. (Pict) D7164pa
González, Lucía. (Illustrated by Lulu Delacre). The Storyteller's Candle = La Velita de los cuentos. 460 G6436s / (Ref) Américas 2009 G6436s
Tafolla, Carmen. (Illustrated by Amy Córdova). What Can You Do With a Rebozo? (Pict) T1241w / (Ref) Américas 2009 T1241w
2008
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Engle, Margarita. (Illustrated by Sean Qualls). The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. 921 M2962e / (Ref) Américas 2006 921 M2962e
HONOR Deedy, Carmen Agra. (Illustrated by Michael Austin). Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale. 398.24 F312m / (Ref) Américas 2007-2008 398.24 D312m
Grand, Carmen T. Bernier. Frida: ¡Viva la vida! = Long Live Life! 921 K12b / (Ref) Américas 2007-2008 921 K12b
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
HONOR Brown, Monica. (Illustrated by Raúl Colón). My Name is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel García Márquez = Me Ilamo Gabito: la vida de Gabriel García Márquez. 460 B8856mg / (Ref) Américas 2007-2008 921 G216b 2007
Gonzalez, Maya Gonzalez. My Colors, My World = MIs colores, mi mundo. 460 G6437m / (Ref) Américas 2007-2008 G6437m 2007
2006
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Canales, Viola. The Tequila Worm. C2129t / (Ref) Américas 2005 C2129t
HONOR Grand, Carmen T. Bernier. (Illustrated by David Diaz). César; ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! 811.54 B528c
Mora, Pat. (Illustrated by Raúl Colón). Doña Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart. 398.22 M827d
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Becoming Naomi León. R9892b / (Ref) Américas 2004 R9892b
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Mora, Pat. (Illustrated by Raúl Colón). Doña Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart. 398.22 M827d
HONOR Brown, Monica. (Illustrated by Rafael López). My Name is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz = Me llamo Celia: La Vida de Celia Cruz. 460 B8856mc / (Ref) Américas 2004 921 C959b 2004
Delacre, Lulu. Arrorró, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games. 460 A778
Grand, Carmen T. Bernier. (Illustrated by David Diaz). César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! 811.54 B528c
2004
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Alvarez, Julia. Before We Were Free. A473b / (Ref) Américas 2002 A473b
HONOR Osa, Nancy. Cuba 15. O811c / (Ref) Américas 2003 O811c 2011
Pérez, Amanda Irma. (Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez). My Diary from Here to There = Mi Diario de aquí hasta allá. (Ref) Américas 2002 P437my 2002
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Morales, Yuyi. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. (Pict) M828j / (Ref) Américas 2003 M828j
HONOR Goebel, Nancy Andrews. (Illustrated by David Diaz). The Pot That Juan Built. 738 A566p / (Ref) Américas 2002 738 A566p
Krull Kathleen. (Illustrated by Yuyi Morales). Harvesting Hope: The Story of César Chávez. 921 C512k / (Ref) Américas 2003 921 C512k
2002
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Esperanza Rising. R9892e / (Ref) Américas 2000 R9892e
HONOR Alarcón, Francisco X. (Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez). Iquanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems = Iquanas en la nieve y ontros poemas de invierno. 811.54 A321i 2001 / (Ref) Américas 2001 811.54 A321i 2001
Jiménez, Francisco. Breaking Through. J614b 2001 / (Ref) Américas 2001 J614b 2001
2000
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Ada, Alma Flor. Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba. (Ref) Américas 1998 921 A191u 1998
HONOR Alarcón, Francisco X. (Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez). From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems = Del ombligo de la luna y otros poemas de verano. 460 A321f / (Ref) Américas 1998 811.54 A321f 1998
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Garza, Carmen Lomas. (Translated by Francisco X Alarcón). Magic Windows: Cut-Paper Art and stories = Ventanas mágicas: Papel picado y relatos. 460 G244m / (Ref) Américas 1999 306.85 G244m 1999
HONOR Ancona, George. Barrio: Josés Neighborhood. 979.4 A542b 1998 / (Ref) Américas 1998 979.4 A542b 1998
Carling, Amelia Lau. Mama and Papa Have a Store. (Pict) C2825m / (Ref) Américas 1998 C2825m
Slate, Joseph. (Illustrated by Felipe Dávalos). The Secret Stars. (Pict) S6309se 1998 / (Ref) Américas 1998 S6309se 1998
1998
AUTHOR AWARD
MEDAL Martinez, Victor. Parrot in the Oven: Mi vida. M385p / (Ref) Américas 1996 M385p
HONOR Alarcón, Francisco X. (Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez). Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems = Jitomates risueños y otros poemas de primavera. 811.54 A321l 1997 / (Ref) Américas 1997 811.54 A321l 1997
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Soto, Gary. (Illustrated by Stephanie Garcia). Snapshots from the Wedding. (Pict) S7183sn
HONOR Ada, Alma Flor. (Illustrated by Simón Silva). Gathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English. 460 A191g / (Ref) Américas 1997 861.6 A191g 1997
Garza, Carmen Lomas. In My Family = En mi familia. 306.85 G244i 1996 / (Ref) Américas 1996 306.85 G244i 1996
Jaffe, Nina. (Illustrated by Enrique O. Sánchez). The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico. 398.26 J23g / (Ref) Américas 1996 398.26 J23g
1996
ILLUSTRATOR AWARD
MEDAL Soto, Gary. (Illustrated by Susan Guevara). Chato's Kitchen. (Pict) S7183ck / (Ref) Américas 1995 S7183ck
HONOR González, Lucía M. (Illustrated by Lulu Delacre). The Bossy Gallito = El gallo de bodas: A Traditional Cuban Folktale. (Ref) Américas 1994 398.2 G6436b 1994
