2019 Américas Book Award Winners

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).

For more information visit, http://claspprograms.org/uploads/Americas_Award_Annotations_5.2019-1559179411.pdf

2019 Américas Award Winners

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

2019 Américas Award Honorable Mention Titles

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

2019 Américas Award Commended Titles

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 

2018 Américas Book Award Winners

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).

American Street

by Ibi Zoboi

American Street is an evocative and powerful coming-of-age story perfect for fans of Everything, Everything; Bone Gap; and All American Boys.

In this stunning debut novel, Pushcart-nominated author Ibi Zoboi draws on her own experience as a young Haitian immigrant, infusing this lyrical exploration of America with magical realism and vodou culture.

On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life.

But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own.

Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream?

Danza!: Amalia Hernández and Mexico's Folkloric Ballet

by Duncan Tonatiuh

Danza! is a celebration of Hernández’s life and of the rich history of dance in Mexico. As a child, Amalia always thought she would grow up to be a teacher, until she saw a performance of dancers in her town square. She was fascinated by the way the dancers twirled and swayed, and she knew that someday she would be a dancer, too. She began to study many different types of dance, including ballet and modern, under some of the best teachers in the world. Hernández traveled throughout Mexico studying and learning regional dances. Soon she founded her own dance company, El Ballet Folklórico de México, where she integrated her knowledge of ballet and modern dance with folkloric dances. The group began to perform all over the country and soon all over the world, becoming an international sensation that still tours today.

Duncan Tonatiuh’s picture books have been honored with many awards and accolades, including the Pura Belpré Award, the Robert F. Sibert Award, and the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award. With Tonatiuh’s distinctive Mixtec-inspired artwork and colorful drawings that seem to leap off the page, Danza! will enthrall and inspire young readers with the fascinating story of this important dancer and choreographer.