La Bloga writers represent! Four of our Bloguistas, whose books have been published in 2014, have been recently named "finalists." Now in its 16th year, the International Latino Book Awards were founded by Latino Literacy Now in partnership with Las Comadres para Las Americas, and the Instituto Cervantes. Over a thousand books have been honored since its inception. The awards, already the largest latino book award in the USA, celebrates achievements in Latino literature. These awards are leading a wave of cultural and economic development within the Latino community (from the International Latino Book Award Website).
Today, it's a pleasure to list our finalists with descriptions of their books. They are listed in alphabetical order by last name. Xánath Caraza, René Colato Laínez, Lydia Gil, and Daniel A. Olivas. Felicidades to all of you!
Xánath Caraza
Finalist, Poetry:
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| Syllables of Wind/Sílabas de Viento |
Description: Argentine poet,
Carlos J. Aldazábal describes Xánath Caraza’s new collection of poetry as “a type
of invocation, a kind of silent mantra.”
With her gaze wandering across the land, the poet projects her
sensitivity so as to celebrate or lament, to depart or return, in a cultural
pendulum that allows her to express what we all have in common as human beings,
the great themes of poetry (death, love, life) from her American and indigenous
particularity” (Introduction).
Caraza’s
poetry reveals Mexican, Indigenous, African roots while also claiming a North
American Midwest identity. Her work
underlines our literary transnational roots.
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| Xánath Caraza reading from her book in Topeka, Kansas |
René Colato
Laínez:
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| Author René Colato Laínez |
Description: Carlos is not sure
that football can be played with an oval-shaped ball. Chris is not sure that it can be played with
a round ball. It may not be a good idea
to play with a kid who is so different.
He doesn’t even know how to play this game! Wait.
It looks kind of fun…Let’s give it a try! Enjoy and celebrate the encounter of two
cultures through their favorite sports!
Lydia Gil: Finalist, Children's Literature:
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| Author Lydia Gil with students |
Description: Celeste is
heartbroken when her grandmother dies.
But everything changes when a letter mysteriously comes in the mail—from
grandma! As letters continue to arrive
from the beyond, each with a recipe from a favorite food her grandmother used
to prepare, Celeste consoles herself by learning how to cook the dishes.
Published in bilingual “flip” format by Arte
Público Press, this middle grade novel celebrates the cultural traditions of
the Spanish Caribbean, while tackling challenging subjects, such as trouble
with friends and the death of a grandparent.
The book includes six traditional Cuban recipes with easy-to-follow
instructions.
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| Author Lydia Gil |
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| Author, Daniel A. Olivas |
Daniel A. Olivas
Finalist, Non-Fiction:
Finalist, Non-Fiction:
Description: In this candid
and wide-ranging collection of personal essays and interviews, award-winning
author, Daniel A. Olivas explores Latina/o literature at the dawn of the
twenty-first century. While his essays
address a broad spectrum of topics from the Mexican-American experience to the
Holocaust, Olivas always returns to and wrestles with queries that have no easy
answers: How does his identity as a Chicano
reflect itself through his writing? What
issues and subjects are worth exploring?
Can literature affect political discourse and our daily lives?
Olivas explores similar questions through almost a decade's worth of interviews with Latina/o authors. Dr. Frederick Aldama writes: "Wide-ranging, and yet laser-focused, Olivas gives us a total portrait of Latina/o letters today."
Olivas explores similar questions through almost a decade's worth of interviews with Latina/o authors. Dr. Frederick Aldama writes: "Wide-ranging, and yet laser-focused, Olivas gives us a total portrait of Latina/o letters today."
Felicidades and congratulations, too. Winners all!
ReplyDeleteI am honored to be a part of La Bloga. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Melinda, I am honored to be part of La Bloga! Congratulations La Bloga Writers! Gracias Amelia!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news for all of you and for all of us, writers who support your fine work. Congratulations!
ReplyDelete¡Gracias! This means a lot. ¡Ajua!
ReplyDelete¡Viva La Bloga! Congratulations and I honored too to be part of this amazing blog.
ReplyDelete