2010 Américas Book Award

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Américas Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature

The Américas 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 Americas, 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 award winners and commended titles are selected for their 1) distinctive literary quality; 2) cultural contextualization; 3) exceptional integration of text, illustration and design; and 4) potential for classroom use. The winning books will be honored at a ceremony (fall 2010) during Hispanic Heritage Month at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

2010 Américas Award Winners 

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez. Knopf, 2009. 318 pgs. ISBN 978-0-375-85838-3.

What Can You Do with a Paleta? / ¿Qué puedes hacer con una paleta? By Carmen Tafolla, Illustrated by Magaly Morales. Tricycle Press, 2009. 36 pgs. ISBN 978-1- 58246-289-9.

Américas Award Honorable Mentions 

Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann. Curbstone, 2009. 280 pgs. ISBN 978-1-
931896-49-8.

I Know the River Loves Me / Yo sé que el río me ama by Maya Christina González. Children's Book Press, 2009. 24 pgs. ISBN 978-0-89239-233-9.

My Papa Diego and Me: Memories of My Father and His Art / Mi papa Diego y yo: Recuerdos de mi padre y su arte by Guadalupe Rivera Marín and Diego Rivera. Children's Book Press, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-0-89239-228-5.

Américas Award Commended Titles 

Before Columbus: the Americas of 1491 by Charles C. Mann. Atheneum, 2009. 132
pgs. ISBN 978-1-4169-4900-8.

Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day / Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros by Pat Mora. Illustrated by Rafael López. HarperCollins/Rayo, 2009. 36 pgs. ISBN 978-0-06-128877-7.

Braids / Trencitas by Kathleen Contreras. Illustrated by Margaret Lindmark. Lectorum, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-1-933032-27-6.

Confetti Girl by Diana López. Little, Brown, 2009. 198 pgs. ISBN 978-0-316-02955-1.

Diego: Bigger Than Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand. Illustrated by David Diaz. Marshall Cavendish, 2009. 64 pgs. ISBN 978-0-7614-5383-3.

The Fiesta Dress: A Quinceañera Tale by Caren McNelly McCormack. Illustrated by Martha Avilés. Marshall Cavendish, 2009. 40 pgs. ISBN 978-0-7614-5467-0.

Grandmother, Have the Angels Come? by Denise Vega. Illustrated by Erin Eitter Kono. Little, Brown, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-0-316-10663-4.

Jorge Luis Borges by Georgina Lázaro. Illustrated by Graciela Genovés. Lectorum, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-1-933032-40-5.

Journey of Dreams by Marge Pellegrino. Frances Lincoln, 2009. 260 pgs. ISBN 978- 1-84780-061-9.

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009. 324 pgs. ISBN 978-0-545-05474-4.

Muchacho by Louanne Johnson. Knopf, 2009. 197 pgs. ISBN 978-0-375-86117-8.

My Abuelita by Tony Johnston. Illustrated by Yuyi Morales. Harcourt, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-0-15-216330-3.

Pelé King of Soccer / Pelé el rey del fútbol by Monica Brown. Illustrated by Rudy Gutiérrez. Rayo, 2009. 36 pgs. ISBN 978-0-06-122779-0.

A Piñata in a Pine Tree: A Latino Twelve Days of Christmas by Pat Mora. Illustrated by Magaly Morales. Clarion, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-0-618-84198-1.

René has Two Last Names / René tiene dos apellidos by René Colato Lainez. Illustrated by Fabiola Graullera Ramírez. Arte Público, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-1- 55885-530-4.

Sonia Sotomayor: a judge grows in the Bronx / Sonia Sotomayor: la juez que creció en el Bronx by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Edel Rodríguez. Atheneum, 2009. 36 pgs. ISBN 978-1-4424-0303-1.

Sopa de frijoles / Bean Soup by Jorge Argueta. Illustrated by Rafael Yockteng. Groundwood, 2009. 36 pgs. ISBN 978-0-88899-881-1.

Tan to Tamarind by Malathi Michelle Iyengar. Illustrated by Jamel Akib. Children's Book Press, 2009. 32 pgs. ISBN 978-0-89239-227-8.

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba by Margarita Engle. Holt, 2009. 212 pgs. ISBN 978-0-8050-8936-0.

Victoria Goes to Brazil by Maria de Fatima Campos. Frances Lincoln, 2009. 36 pgs. ISBN 978-1-84507-927-7.

We Were Here by Matt de la Peña. Delacorte, 2009. 356 pgs. ISBN 978-0-385-73667- 1.