Established in 1996, The Pura Belpre Award recognizes a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best captures and portrays the Latino cultural experience in a children’s novel. Named in honor of Pura Belpre, the first Latina librarian from the New York Public Library, this award is presented biannually by The Association for Library Service to Children, a division of The American Library Association (www.ala.org).

2004
Narrative: Before We Were Free, Julia Alvarez
Illustration: Just a Minute, Yuyi Morales

2002
Narrative: Esperanza Rising, Pam Munoz Ryan
Illustration: Chato and the Party Animals, Susan Guevara

2000
Narrative: Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba, Alma Flor Ada
Illustration: Magic Windows, Carmen Lomas Garza

1998
Narrative: Parrot in the Oven: mi vida, Victor Martinez
Illustration: Snapshots from the Wedding, Stephanie Garcia

1996
Narrative: An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio, Judith Ortiz Cofer
Illustration: Chato’s Kitchen, Susan Guevara

Other Awards