Pura Belpré Award Celebración 2026

1:00PM - 3:30 PM (CDT)

Hilton Chicago 

Waldorf Room

Chicago, Illinois 

The Pura Belpré Award Celebración is the annual event held during the ALA Annual Conference to honor recipients of the Pura Belpré Award, a prestigious recognition for Latino/Latina authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in outstanding children’s and young adult literature. 

Named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, the award was established in 1996 (originally biennial until 2008) and is now given annually. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), and REFORMA. The Celebración serves as both a celebration of the award’s legacy and a platform for honoring the authors, illustrators, and communities whose stories are recognized.

Belpré Children’s Illustration Award

“Popo the Xolo,” illustrated by Abraham Matias, written by Paloma Angelina Lopez and published by Charlesbridge.

Belpré Illustration Honor Books

“A-Ztec: A Bilingual Alphabet Book,” illustrated and written by Emmanuel Valtierra and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido

“The Invisible Parade,”illustrated by John Picacio, written by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Belpré Children’s Author Award

“The Pecan Sheller,” written by Lupe Ruiz-Flores and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

Belpré Children’s Author Honor Books

"A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation," written by Pablo Cartaya and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House

“The Island of Forgotten Gods,” written by Victor Piñeiro and published by Sourcebooks Young Readers, an imprint of Sourcebooks Kids

“A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez,” written by María Dolores Águila and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

Belpré Young Adult Author Award

"On the Wings of la Noche," written by Vanessa L. Torres and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Books

“Rosa by Any Other Name,” written by Hailey Alcaraz and published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

"Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide," written and illustrated by Pablo Leon and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 

“The Story of My Anger,” written by Jasminne Mendez and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

The Pecan Sheller

Written by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

ASIN: B0D6KR93J1

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books ®

Language: English

Print length: 256 pages

ISBN-13: 979-8765610527

Reading age: 10 - 14 years

*Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award

In 1930s San Antonio, thirteen-year-old Petra dreams of going to college and becoming a writer.

But with her beloved father dead, two younger siblings to care for, and with a stepmother struggling to make ends meet, Petra has to drop out of school to shell pecans at a factory. Hoping it's only temporary, she tries not to despair over the grueling work conditions. But after the unhealthy environment leads to tragedy and workers' already low wages are cut, Petra knows things need to change. She and her coworkers go on strike for higher wages and safer conditions, risking everything they have for the hope of a better future.

"Heart-warming and enraging in equal parts, this important American story reveals the power of family, community, and hope."―Laurie Halse Anderson, New York Times-bestselling author

Review

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"A powerful, moving story explores the little-known but important story of the six-week pecan shellers' strike."―starred, Booklist

"Using short chapters with quick pacing, Ruiz-Flores (Piece by Piece) unveils intimate and well-researched depictions of the Pecan Shellers Strike of 1938 and its impact on Mexican descendants and beyond."―starred, Publishers Weekly

"The story deftly explores the nuances of both Petra's and Amá's relationship and traumas, as well as the strength and hope to be found in family and community. A poignantly, beautifully written tale."―starred, Kirkus Reviews

"Based on the real-life pecan sheller's strike of 1938, Ruiz-Flores's captivating tale is filled with hope."―New York Times Book Review

Lupe Ruiz-Flores is the author of six bilingual picture books. She is a former Regional Advisor for the Southwest Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and until recently its newsletter editor. Lupe has won the SCBWI Work-In-Progress Grant, the SCBWI/Amazon Work-in-Progress Grant, and the SCBWI Martha Weston Award. She is a member of the Writers League of Texas, Texas Library Association, Las Musas, and Kindling Words. She was awarded the Tejas Star Book Award for three consecutive years. Her poetry and short stories have been published in anthologies, including Thanku: Poems of Gratitude. She was recently inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters.

American Library Association Award Winners 2026

For a complete list of ALA awards winners or to watch the announcement ceremony visit, https://www.ala.unikron.com

 

Pura Belpré Pura Belpré Awards

Pura Belpré Awards honoring Latino writers and illustrators whose children's and young adult

books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.

Belpré Children’s Illustration Award

“Popo the Xolo,” illustrated by Abraham Matias, written by Paloma Angelina Lopez and

published by Charlesbridge.

Belpré Illustration Honor Books

“A-Ztec: A Bilingual Alphabet Book,” illustrated and written by Emmanuel Valtierra and

published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido

“The Invisible Parade,”illustrated by John Picacio, written by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Belpré Children’s Author Award

“The Pecan Sheller,” written by Lupe Ruiz-Flores and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

Belpré Children’s Author Honor Books

"A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation," written by Pablo Cartaya and published by Kokila, an

imprint of Penguin Random House

“The Island of Forgotten Gods,” written by Victor Piñeiro and published by Sourcebooks Young Readers, an imprint of Sourcebooks Kids

“A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez,” written by María Dolores Águila and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

Belpré Young Adult Author Award

"On the Wings of la Noche," written by Vanessa L. Torres and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an

imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Books

“Rosa by Any Other Name,” written by Hailey Alcaraz and published by Viking, an imprint of

Penguin Random House.

"Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide," written and illustrated by Pablo Leon and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 

“The Story of My Anger,” written by Jasminne Mendez and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King Book Awards

Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults.

King Author Award Book

“Will’s Race for Home,” written by Jewell Parker Rhodes, is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

King Author Honor Books

“The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze,” written by Derrick Barnes and published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

“The Library in the Woods,” written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. 

“Split the Sky,” written by Marie Arnold and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

King Illustrator Award Book

“The Library in the Woods,” illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, is the King Illustrator Book award winner. This book is published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

King Illustrator Honor Books

"André: André Leon Talley–A Fabulously Fashionable Fairy Tale," illustrated by Lamont O’Neal, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders and published by Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.

"City Summer, Country Summer," illustrated by Alexis Franklin, written by Kiese Laymon and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award

Arriel Vinson for “Under the Neon Lights,” published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

Kadir Nelson is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. Nelson is a renowned artist and storyteller whose work as both author and illustrator appears in over 30 children’s books. He has received numerous honors for his contributions to children’s literature, including the Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, Robert F. Sibert Medal, and multiple New York Times Best Illustrated Book distinctions.

John Newbery Medal

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. 

“All the Blues in the Sky,” written by Renée Watson and published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing.

Newbery Honor Books

“The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli," written and illustrated by Karina Yan Glaser and published by Allida, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

”A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez," written by María Dolores Águila and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

”The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story," written by Daniel Nayeri and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.

”The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest," written by Aubrey Hartman, illustrated by

Marcin Minor and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Randolph Caldecott Medal

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.

“Fireworks,” illustrated by Cátia Chien, written by Matthew Burgess, and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Caldecott Honor Books

“Every Monday Mabel,” illustrated and written by Jashar Awan and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

“Our Lake,” illustrated and written by Angie Kang and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin, Random House.

“Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave”, illustrated and written

by Drew Beckmeyer and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

“Sundust,” illustrated and written by Zeke Peña and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

American Library Association Award Winners 2025

For a complete list of ALA awards and winners visit, https://ilovelibraries.org

Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award

The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate, ALSC, and YALSA. 

Award Winner: 

Lola, written by Karla Arenas Valenti and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

Honor Books:

Cruzita and the Mariacheros, written by Ashley Granillo and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group Inc.

Ultraviolet, written by Aida Salazar and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award

The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by REFORMA, ALSC, and YALSA. 

Award Winner: 

Shut Up, This Is Serious, written by Carolina Ixta and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Honor Books:

Libertad, written by Bessie Flores Zaldívar and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Wild Dreamers, written by Margarita Engle and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Award

The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by REFORMA, ALSC, and YALSA. Learn more about the Pura Belpré Award.

Winner:

The Dream Catcher, illustrated by Marcelo Verdad, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group Inc.

Honor Books:

Abuelo, the Sea, and Me, illustrated by Tatiana Gardel, written by Ismée Williams and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

A Maleta Full of Treasures, illustrated by Juana Medina, written by Natalia Sylvester and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Award

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award is sponsored by ALA's Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART). 

Medal Winner: 

Twenty-four Seconds from Now..., written by Jason Reynolds, published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

Honor Books:

Black Girl You Are Atlas, by Renée Watson, illustrated by Ekua Holmes and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Black Star, by Kwame Alexander, and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group Inc.

One Big Open Sky, by Lesa Cline-Ransome, and published by Holiday House.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award is sponsored by CSKBART. 

Medal Winner: 

My Daddy is a Cowboy, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Honor Books:

Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, written by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds and published by Godwin Books, an imprint of Henry Holt and Company.

Everywhere Beauty is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Gary Golio and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers.

Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller, illustrated by April Harrison, written by Breanna J. McDaniel and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award

The John Steptoe New Talent Award is established to affirm new talent and to offer visibility to excellence in writing and/or illustration which otherwise might be formally unacknowledged within a given year within the structure of the two awards given annually by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee. The award is sponsored by CSKBART. 

Author Award: 

Craig Kofi Farmer, author of Kwame Crashes the Underworld.

Illustrator Award: 

Jamiel Law, illustrator of Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin.

Newbery (John Newbery Medal)

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by ALSC to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. 

Medal Winner: 

The First State of Being, written by Erin Entrada Kelly, published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Honor Books:

Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House

Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All, written and illustrated by Chanel Miller and published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Random House

One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome and published by Holiday House

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy, A Borzoi Book, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House

Caldecott (Randolph Caldecott Medal)

The Randolph Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by ALSC to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. 

Medal Winner: 

Chooch Helped, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz, written by Andrea L. Rogers and published by Levine Querido.

Honor Books:

Home in a Lunchbox, illustrated and written by Cherry Mo and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House

My Daddy Is a Cowboy, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, written by Stephanie Seals and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS

Noodles on a Bicycle, illustrated by Gracey Zhang, written by Kyo Maclear, and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House

Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Anita Yasuda and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers