(Pura) Belpré Award Selection Committee - 2026

Charge

To select annually a children's book published in the United States or Puerto Rico to recognize outstanding original works written or illustrated by a Latino/Latina author or illustrator that portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino/Latina cultural experience.

Roster

Carlos Espinoza Forlenza
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Kristin Kelly Williamson
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Rachel Fryd
(Consultant, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Ana Cackley
(Staff Liaison, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2029)

Displaying active committee roster as of 12/13/2024. Last retrieved on 12/13/2024. Refresh now.

Resources

Publishers, please e-mail alscawards@ala.org for address information.

Composition

The Belpré Award Selection Committee consists of seven members, two appointed from the ALSC membership at large, two appointed by the YALSA membership at large, and three appointed from the REFORMA membership, serving 2-year terms and led by the committee chair. (Chair + 6)

The chair responsibility rotates between REFORMA, ALSC, and YALSA.

Origin

Established in 1996 at the request of the ALSC Board of Directors and the REFORMA Board.

The 2026 Belpré Award Committee reviews books published in 2025 for the 2026 awards.

The 2026 award winners will be announced in early 2026.

Staff Liaison

ALSC Awards Coordinator
312-280-2163

Get Involved

ALSC and ALA value committed and active committee members. Qualified ALSC members are welcome to volunteer to serve on ALSC's committees. Committee members must have an interest in the work of the committee; be able to attend Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings to participate in the meetings and activities of the committee; and be able to work between conferences via e-mail and ALA Connect. Express your interest in serving on this or other ALSC committees by filling out an ALSC committee volunteer form. Depending on the committee, appointments take place either in the spring or fall. Accordingly, committee service begins either following Annual Conference or Midwinter Meeting.

REFORMA: Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), REFORMA has actively sought to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share our goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos. Get involved with REFORMA.