Pura Belpré Award

About the Pura Belpré Award
The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored 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), an ALA affiliate.

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

It is now an annual award.  It was a biennial award from its inaugural year in 1996 through 2008. 

Administered by:

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) logo
NameTitleYear
¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat2021 - Winner
Sharuko: El arqueólogo peruano Julio C. Tello/Peruvian Archaeologist Julio C. Tello2021 - Honor
We Are Not from Here2021 - Honor
Never Look Back2021 - Honor
Furia2021 - Winner
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez2021 - Honor
Lupe Wong Won't Dance2021 - Honor
Efrén Divided2021 - Winner
Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré2020 - Honor
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe2020 - Winner
Lety Out Loud2020 - Honor
The Other Half of Happy2020 - Honor
Across the Bay2020 - Honor
Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War2020 - Honor
Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln2020 - Winner
¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market2020 - Honor
"My Papi has a Motorcycle2020 - Honor
When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos SantanaWhen Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana2019 - Honor
IslandbornIslandborn2019 - Honor
DreamersDreamers2019 - Winner
The Poet XThe Poet X2019 - Winner
They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s PoemsThey Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems2019 - Honor
Frida Kahlo and Her AnimalitosFrida Kahlo and Her Animalitos2018 - Honor
González, XelenaAll Around Us2018 - Honor
Garcia, Adriana M.All Around Us2018 - Honor
Elya, Susan MiddletonLa Princesa and the Pea2018 - Winner
Martinez-Neal, JuanaLa Princesa and the Pea2018 - Winner
Pérez, Celia C.The First Rule of Punk2018 - Honor
Cartaya, PabloThe Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora2018 - Honor
Behar, RuthLucky Broken Girl2018 - Winner
Lowriders to the Center of the EarthLowriders to the Center of the Earth2017 - Winner
Esquivel!: Space-Age Sound ArtistEsquivel!: Space-Age Sound Artist2017 - Honor
Juana & LucasJuana & Lucas2017 - Winner
The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two VolcanoesThe Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes2017 - Honor
The Only RoadThe Only Road2017 - Honor
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead CalaverasFunny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras2016 - Honor
Mango, Abuela, and MeMango, Abuela, and Me2016 - Honor
My Tata’s Remedies = Los remedios de mi tataMy Tata’s Remedies = Los remedios de mi tata2016 - Honor
Mango, Abuela, and MeMango, Abuela, and Me2016 - Honor
The Smoking MirrorThe Smoking Mirror2016 - Honor
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir2016 - Winner
Drum Dream GirlDrum Dream Girl2016 - Winner
Viva FridaViva Frida2015 - Winner
I Lived on Butterfly HillI Lived on Butterfly Hill2015 - Winner
Portraits of Hispanic American HeroesPortraits of Hispanic American Heroes2015 - Honor
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for DesegregationSeparate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation2015 - Honor
Little Roja Riding HoodLittle Roja Riding Hood2015 - Honor
Green Is a Chile PepperGreen Is a Chile Pepper2015 - Honor
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s TalePancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale2014 - Honor
Tito Puente: Mambo King / Rey del MamboTito Puente: Mambo King / Rey del Mambo2014 - Honor
Maria Had a Little Llama / María Tenía una LlamitaMaria Had a Little Llama / María Tenía una Llamita2014 - Honor
Niño Wrestles the WorldNiño Wrestles the World2014 - Winner
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s TalePancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale2014 - Honor
The LivingThe Living2014 - Honor
The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba’s Greatest AbolitionistThe Lightning Dreamer: Cuba’s Greatest Abolitionist2014 - Honor
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your AssYaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass2014 - Winner
The Revolution of Evelyn SerranoThe Revolution of Evelyn Serrano2013 - Honor
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the UniverseAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe2013 - Winner
Martín de Porres: The Rose in the DesertMartín de Porres2013 - Winner
Tonatiuh, DuncanDiego Rivera: His World and Ours2012 - Winner
McCall, Guadalupe GarciaUnder the Mesquite2012 - Winner
Garza, XavierMaximilian and the Mystery of the Guardian Angel: A Bilingual Lucha Libre Thriller2012 - Honor
Engle, MargaritaHurricane Dancers: The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck2012 - Honor
Vamos, Samantha R.The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred2012 - Honor
Brown, MonicaMarisol McDonald Doesn't Match /Marisol McDonald no combina2012 - Honor
Palacios, SaraMarisol McDonald Doesn't Match /Marisol McDonald no combina2012 - Honor
López, RafaelThe Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred2012 - Honor
Velasquez, EricGrandma's Gift2011 - Winner
Ryan, Pam MunozThe Dreamer2011 - Winner
Ancona, George¡Olé! Flamenco2011 - Honor
Flores-Galbis, Enrique90 Miles to Havana2011 - Honor
Engle, MargaritaThe Firefly Letters: A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba2011 - Honor
Tafolla, CarmenFiesta Babies2011 - Honor
Cordova, AmyFiesta Babies2011 - Honor
Diaz, DavidMe, Frida2011 - Honor
Novesky, AmyMe, Frida2011 - Honor
Tonatiuh, DuncanDear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin2011 - Honor
Lázaro, GeorginaFederico García Lorca2010 - Honor
Parra, JohnGracias Thanks2010 - Honor
Mora, PatGracias Thanks2010 - Honor
Morales, YuyiMy Abuelita2010 - Honor
Johnston, TonyMy Abuelita2010 - Honor
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.Diego: Bigger Than Life2010 - Honor
Diaz, DavidDiego: Bigger Than Life2010 - Honor
López, RafaelBook Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros2010 - Winner
Mora, PatBook Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros2010 - Winner
Moreiro, Enrique S.Federico García Lorca2010 - Honor
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.Diego: Bigger Than Life2010 - Honor
Diaz, DavidDiego: Bigger Than Life2010 - Honor
Alvarez, JuliaReturn to Sender2010 - Winner
Morales, YuyiJust In Case2009 - Honor
Jiménez, FranciscoReaching Out2009 - Honor
González, LucíaThe Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos2009 - Honor
Delacre, LuluThe Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos2009 - Honor
Morales, YuyiJust In Case2009 - Winner
Gutierrez, RudyPapá and Me2009 - Honor
Dorros, ArthurPapá and Me2009 - Honor
González, LucíaThe Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos2009 - Honor
Delacre, LuluThe Storyteller's Candle / La velita de los cuentos2009 - Honor
Tafolla, CarmenWhat Can You Do With a Rebozo?2009 - Honor
Córdova, AmyWhat Can You Do With a Rebozo?2009 - Honor
Engle, MargaritaThe Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom2009 - Winner
Gonzalez, Maya ChristinaMy Colors, My World/Mis colores, mi mundo2008 - Honor
Morales, YuyiLos Gatos Black on Halloween2008 - Honor
Colón, RaúlMy Name is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel García Márquez/Me llamo Gabito: la vida de Gabriel García Már2008 - Honor
Brown, MonicaMy Name is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel García Márquez/Me llamo Gabito: la vida de Gabriel García Már2008 - Honor
Montes, MarisaLos Gatos Black on Halloween2008 - Winner
Montes, MarisaLos Gatos Black on Halloween2008 - Honor
Morales, YuyiLos Gatos Black on Halloween2008 - Winner
Deedy, Carmen AgraMartina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale2008 - Honor
Austin, MichaelMartina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale2008 - Honor
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life!2008 - Honor
Engle, MargaritaThe Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano2008 - Winner
Qualls, SeanThe Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano2008 - Winner
Mora, PatDoña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart2006 - Winner
Brown, MonicaMy Name Is Celia/ Me Llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/ La Vida de Celia Cruz2006 - Honor
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! 2006 - Honor
Diaz, DavidCésar: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! 2006 - Honor
Delacre, LuluArrorró, Mi Niño: Latino Lullabies and Gentle Games2006 - Honor
Colón, RaulDoña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart2006 - Winner
Diaz, DavidCésar: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!2006 - Honor
Ryan, Pam MuñozBecoming Naomi León2006 - Honor
Colón, RaulDoña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart2006 - Honor
Mora, PatDoña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart2006 - Honor
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!2006 - Honor
Canales, ViolaThe Tequila Worm2006 - Winner
López, RafaelMy Name Is Celia/ Me Llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/ La Vida de Celia Cruz2006 - Honor
Morales, YuyiJust a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book2004 - Winner
Pérez, Amada IrmaMy Diary from Here to There/Mi Diario de Aquí Hasta Allá2004 - Honor
Diaz, DavidThe Pot That Juan Built2004 - Honor
Osa, NancyCuba 152004 - Honor
Casilla, RobertFirst Day in Grapes2004 - Honor
Pérez, L. KingFirst Day in Grapes2004 - Honor
Alvarez, JuliaBefore We Were Free2004 - Winner
Andrews-Goebel, NancyThe Pot That Juan Built2004 - Honor
Krull, KathleenHarvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez2004 - Honor
Morales, YuyiHarvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez2004 - Honor
Ryan, Pam MunozEsperanza Rising 2002 - Winner
Jiménez, FranciscoBreaking Through2002 - Honor
Alarcón, Francisco X.Iguanas in the Snow2002 - Honor
Gonzalez, Maya ChristinaIguanas in the Snow2002 - Honor
Soto, GaryChato and the Party Animals 2002 - Winner
Guevara, SusanChato and the Party Animals 2002 - Winner
Cepeda, JoeJuan Bobo Goes to Work2002 - Honor
Montes, MarisaJuan Bobo Goes to Work2002 - Honor
Garza, Carmen LomasMagic Windows2000 - Winner
Slate, JosephThe Secret Stars2000 - Honor
Dávalos, FelipeThe Secret Stars2000 - Honor
Ancona, GeorgeBarrio: José's Neighborhood2000 - Honor
Carling, Amelia LauMama & Papa Have a Store2000 - Honor
Barbour, KarenLaughing out Loud, I Fly: Poems in English and Spanish2000 - Honor
Francisco X. Alarcón, Francisco X.From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems/ Del Ombligo de la Luna y Otro Poemas de Verano2000 - Honor
Ada, Alma FlorUnder the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba2000 - Winner
Herrera, Juan FelipeLaughing out Loud, I Fly: Poems in English and Spanish2000 - Honor
Garcia, StephanieSnapshots from the Wedding1998 - Winner
Jaffe, NinaThe Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico1998 - Honor
Garza, Carmen LomasIn My Family / En mi familia 1998 - Honor
Soto, GarySnapshots from the Wedding1998 - Winner
Sánchez, Enrique O.The Golden Flower: A Taino Myth from Puerto Rico1998 - Honor
Martinez, FloydSpirits of the High Mesa1998 - Honor
Ada, Alma FlorGathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English 1998 - Honor
Gonzalez, Maya ChristinaLaughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems/Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primavera1998 - Honor
Zubizarreta, RosaGathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English 1998 - Honor
Silva, SimónGathering the Sun: An Alphabet in Spanish and English 1998 - Honor
Martinez, VictorParrot in the Oven: Mi Vida1998 - Winner
Alarcón, FranciscoLaughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems/Jitomates Risueños y otros poemas de primavera1998 - Honor
Cofer, Judith OrtizAn Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio 1996 - Winner
González, LucíaThe Bossy Gallito / El Gallo de Bodas: A Traditional Cuban Folktale 1996 - Honor
Soto, GaryChato's Kitchen 1996 - Winner
Guevara, SusanChato's Kitchen 1996 - Winner
Ancona, GeorgePablo Remembers: The Fiesta of the Day of the Dead 1996 - Honor
González, LucíaThe Bossy Gallito / El Gallo de Bodas: A Traditional Cuban Folktale 1996 - Honor
Delacre, LuluThe Bossy Gallito / El Gallo de Bodas: A Traditional Cuban Folktale 1996 - Honor
Zubizaretta, RosalmaFamily Pictures / Cuadros de Familia1996 - Honor
Garza, Carmen LomasFamily Pictures / Cuadros de Familia1996 - Honor
Soto, GaryBaseball in April, and Other Stories 1996 - Honor