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 Page last modified 02/22/26
 
  Books & Reading  |  Award Books  |  Pura Belpré Medal

Books and Reading

Award Books
Randolph Caldecott Medal
Coretta Scott King Book Award
John Newbery Medal
Pura Belpré Medal
Robert F. Sibert Medal
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Texas Bluebonnet Award
 
The Pura Belpré Medal The Pura Belpré Medal

Formally awarded biennially but changed to annual in 2009, this award is given to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator in an outstanding work of literature for children.

For more information on the Pure Belpré Award,
visit the Association for Library Service to Children site. 
2026 Award for Author
The Pecan Sheller

written by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
2026 Award for Illustration

Popo the Xolo

illustrated  by Abraham Matias
written by Paloma Angelina Lopez
2026 Author Honor Books

A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation


written by Pablo Cartaya

The Island of Forgotten Gods


written by Victor Piñeiro

A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez


written by María Dolores Águila
 
2026 Illustrator Honor Books

A-Ztec: A Bilingual Alphabet Book


illustrated and written by Emmanuel Valtierra

The Invisible Parade


illustrated by John Picacio
written by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio
 
 
 
 



 
 

   

P A S T    W I N N E R S

Year Title Author / illustrator
2026 - THE PECAN SHELLER

- POPO THE XOLO
Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Abraham Matias
2025 - LOLA

- THE DREAM CATCHER
Karla Arenas Valenti

Marcelo Verdad
2024 -  MEXIKID Pedro Martín
2023 -  FRIZZY

- WHERE WONDER GROWS
Claribel A. Ortega

Adriana M. Garcia
2022 - THE LAST CUENTISTA

- ¡VAMOS! LET'S CROSS THE BRIDGE
Donna Barba Higuera

Raúl Gonzalez
2021 - ¡VAMOS! LET'S GO EAT

- EFREN DIVIDED
Raúl Gonzalez

Ernesto Cisneros
2020 - SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE
- DANCING HANDS: HOW TERESA CARREOÑO PLAYED THE PIANO FOR PRESIDENT LINCOLN
Carlos Hernandez


Rafael López
2019 - POET X
- DREAMERS
Elizabeth Acevedo
Yuyi Morales
2018 - LUCKY BROKEN GIRL
- LA PRINCESA AND THE PEA
Ruth Behar

Juana Martinez-Neal
2017 - JUANA & LUCAS
- LOWRIDERS TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
Juana Medina

Raúl Gonzalez
2016 - ENCHANTED AIR: TWO CULTURES, TWO WINGS: A MEMOIR
- DRUM GIRL DREAM
Margarita Engle

Rafael López
2015 - I LIVE ON BUTTERFLY HILL
- VIVA FRIDA
Marjorie Agosin

Yuyi Morales
2014 - YAQUI DELGADO WANTS TO KICK YOUR ASS
- NIÑO WRESTLES THE WORLD
Meg Medina

Yuyi Morales
2013 - ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
- MARTIN DE PORRES: THE ROSE IN THE DESERT
Benjamin Alire Sáenz

David Diaz
2012 - UNDER THE MESQUITE
- DIEGO GARCIA: HIS WORLD AND OURS
Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Duncan Tonatiuh
2011 - THE DREAMER
- GRANDMA'S GIFT
Pam Muñoz Ryan
Eric Velasquez
2010 - RETURN TO SENDER
- BOOK FIESTA!  CELEBRATE CHILDREN'S DAY/BOOK DAY EL DIA DE LOS NINOS/EL DIA DE LOS LIBROS
Julia Alvarez

Rafael Lopez
2009 - THE SURRENDER TREE : POEMS OF CUBA'S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM
- JUST IN CASE : A TRICKSTER TALE AND SPANISH ALPHABET BOOK
Margarita Engle

Yuyi Morales
2008 - THE POET SLAVE OF CUBA: A BIOGRAPHY OF JUAN FRANCISCO MANZANO
-
LOS GATOS BLACK ON HALLOWEEN
Margarita Engle

Yuyi Morales
2006 - THE TEQUILA WORM
- DOÑA FLOR: A TALL TALE ABOUT A GIANT WOMAN WITH A GREAT BIG HEART
Viola Canales

Raul Colon
2004 - BEFORE WE WERE FREE
- JUST A MINUTE: A TRICKSTER TALE AND
     COUNTING BOOK
Julia Alvarez

Yuyi Morales
2002 - ESPERANZA RISING
- CHATO AND THE PARTY ANIMALS
Pam Munoz Ryan
Susan Guevara
2000 - UNDER THE ROYAL PALMS: A CHILDHOOD IN CUBA
- MAGIC WINDOWS
Alma Flor Ada

Carmen Lomas Garza
1998 - PARROT IN THE OVEN:  MI VIDA
- SNAPSHOTS FROM THE WEDDING
Victor Martinez

Stephanie Garcia
1996 - AN ISLAND LIKE YOU: STORIES OF THE BARRIO
- CHATO'S KITCHEN
Judith Ortiz Cofer

Susan Guevara