The Américas Book Award is given in recognition of U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States.
By combining both and linking the Américas, the award reaches beyond geographic borders, as well as multicultural-international boundaries, focusing instead upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere. The award is sponsored by the national Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP).
"The Américas list is a treasure trove of fine writing for children and young adults. These are the best books for our Latino children and teenagers to learn about themselves and the world. Please commend these authors, illustrators and publishers by purchasing the books for young people in your life." - Alex Nogales, President & CEO, National Hispanic Media CoalitionThe National Hispanic Media Coalition highly recommends purchasing the books of the award winners, honorable mentions and commended titles below.
Islandborn written by Junot Díaz and illustrated by Leo Espinosa. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2018. ISBN: 9780735230958
Undocumented: A Worker’s Fight written and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh. Abrams Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-1419728549
Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings written by Francie Latour and illustrated by Ken Daley. Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-77306-041-5
The Poet X written by Elizabeth Acevedo. Harper Teen, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-06-266280-4
Alma and How She Got Her Name written and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Candlewick, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-7636-9355-8
Carmela Full of Wishes written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-399-54904-5
Dreamers written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales. Neal Porter Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-8234- 4055-9
La Frontera My Journey with Papa written by Deborah Mills & Alfredo Alva and illustrated by Claudia Navarro. Barefoot Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-78285-388-6
A Gift from Abuela written by Cecilia Ruiz. Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-7636-9267-4
Jazz Owls written by Margarita Engle. Atheneum, 2018. ISBN: 9781534409453
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish written by Pablo Cartaya. Viking, 2018. ISBN: 978-1- 101-99726-0
Merci Suárez Changes Gears written by Meg Medina. Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-0- 7636-9049-6
Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide written by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña. Abrams Books, 2018. ISBN: 978-1947440005
Puerto Rico Strong: A Comics Anthology Supporting Puerto Rico Disaster written by Vita Ayala (Author), Hazel Newlevant (Editor), Desiree Rodriguez (Editor). Lion Forge, 2018. ISBN: 978-1941302903
They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems written by David Bowles. Cinco Puntos Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-1-947627-06-2
When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana written by Michael Mahin and illustrated by Jose Ramirez. Atheneum, 2018. ISBN: 978-1534404137
