12TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL LATINO BOOK AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

In recognition of the many positive contributions being made to Latino literature by publishers and writers worldwide, Latino Literacy Now, a non-profit organization that supports and promotes literacy and literary excellence within the Latino community, created the Latino Book Awards in 1999. The awards were presented during BookExpo America on May 25, 2010, at the Javits Center.

This year the committee introduced a new designation for those entries that swept the judges' 1st place ballots: Triple Crown Award Winners.

The Winners (Title - Author(s) or Illustrator (s) - Publisher):

CATEGORY A – CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT BOOKS

Best Educational Children’s Book - Spanish

Cambio Climático: Los Gases de Efecto Invernadero - Daniel R. Faust - Rosen Publishing

2ND Place: Andy Warhol - Patricia Geis - Combel Editorial

Honorable Mention: Mitología Mesoamericana: Quetzalcóatl - Tom Danish - Rosen Publishing

Best Educational Children’s Book - Bilingual

Chiles- Inés Vaughn - Rosen Publishing

2ND Place: Fun With ABC's - Loteria Style - Luciano Martinez - Lectura Books

Honorable Mention: Chocolate - Inés Vaughn - Rosen Publishing

Honorable Mention: Corn/Maiz- Inés Vaughn - Rosen Publishing

Best Children’s Picture Book – English

What Can You Do With A Paleta? - Carmen Tafolla - Trycycle Press

2ND Place: Diego: Bigger Than Life - Carmen T. Bernier-Grand - Marshall Cavendish

Honorable Mention: Lom and the Gnatters – Kurusa - Groundwood Books

Best Children’s Picture Book – Spanish

¡Al Galope! - Rufus Butler Seder - Workman Publishing

2ND Place: Cocinando cuentos de hadas: Alicia en el pais de las delicias - Maria Villegas & Jennie Kent - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Cocinando cuentos de hadas: Hansel y Gretel y la casita endulzado - Maria Villegas & Jennie Kent - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: Cocinando cuentos de hadas: Caperucita roja y el lobo glotón - Maria Villegas & Jennie Kent - Villegas Editores S.A.

Best Children’s Picture Book – Bilingual

My Papa Diego and Me/Mi papa Diego y yo - Guadalupe Rivera Marin - Children's Book Press

2ND Place: I Know the River Loves Me/Yo se que el rio me ama - Maya Christina Gonzalez - Children's Book Press

Honorable Mention: Rene Has Two Last Names/René tiene dos apellidos - René Colato Laiñez - Arte Público Press

Honorable Mention: What Can You Do With A Paleta?/¿Que puedes hacer con una paleta? - Carmen Tafolla - Trycycle Press

Best Young Adult Fiction – English

Clara…Reencuentro con la vida - Gabriela Garcia-Williams – Self Published

2ND Place: Who's Buried in the Garden - Ray Villareal - Arte Público Press

Honorable Mention: Mr. Clean’s Familia - David Bueno-Hill - Urbano Books

Best Young Adult Fiction – Spanish or Bilingual

La Canción de Shao Li - Marisol Ortiz de Zárate - Bambú

2ND Place: Dark Dude - Oscar Hijuelos - Editorial Everest

Honorable Mention: The Case of the Pen Gone Missing/El caso de la pluma perdida - René Saldaña, Jr. - Arte Público Press

Best Young Adult Nonfiction - English

Memories of My Colombia - Valentina Arango - Ediciones El Pozo

Best Young Adult Nonfiction - Spanish or Bilingual

Yes, You Can Too! The Life of Barack Obama/¡Tú También Puedes! La Vida de Barack Obama - Raquel Benatar - Laredo Publishing

2ND Place: Alegria - Kilina Vela - Trafford

Honorable Mention: Penny, Caída Del Cielo - Jennifer L. Holm - Bambú

Best Young Adult Sports/Recreation – Spanish or Bilingual

Cuahutemoc Blanco - José María Obregón - Rosen Publishing – Triple Crown Award Winner

2ND Place: Amor a la Colombiana - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: Colorombia Animal - Camilo Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

CATEGORY B – NONFICTION

Best Arts Book - English

Maria Brito - Juan Martinez - UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center - Triple Crown Award Winner.

2ND Place: Celia Alvarez Muñoz - Robert Tejada - UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center

Honorable Mention: Con Safo: The Chicano Art Group and the Battle of South Texas - Ruben C. Cordova - UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center

Best Arts Book - Spanish or Bilingual

Hugo Zapata - Hugo Zapata y Juan Luís Mejía - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Arte Internacional, Colección del Banco de la República - Beatriz González - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: Grabados Antiguos de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana - Germán Rubiano Caballero - Villegas Editores S.A.

Best Biography - English

Of Earth & Sea - Marjorie Agosín - University of Arizona Press

2ND Place: The Essays - Rudolfo Anaya - University of Oklahoma Press

Honorable Mention: The Ladies' Gallery - Irene Vilar - Other Press

Best Biography - Spanish or Bilingual

Cautiva: Testimonio de us Secuestro - Clara Rojas - Atria Books

2ND Place: Las Penumbras del General. Vida y muerte de Francisco de Paula Santander - Victor Paz Otero - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: Vive tu Vida al Rojo Vivo: Secretos Para Triunfar en Todo - Maria Celeste Arranas - Atria Books

Honorable Mention: Frank Pais y la Revolucion Cubana - José Alvarez - Outskirts Press

Best Gift Book - English

Aim High Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic & Latina Women - Laura Contreras-Rowe - Self Published

2ND Place: Hot. Passionate. And Illegal? Why (Almost) Everything You Thought About Latinos Just May Be True - Christián de la Fuente –

Celebra, an Imprint of Penguin Group

Best Gift Book - Spanish or Bilingual

Colombia en Flor - Hugo Zapata y Juan Luís Mejía - Villegas Editores S.A. – Triple Crown Award Winner

2ND Place: Amor a la Colombiana - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: El Manuscripto de Dios - Cesar Lacayo - Ediciones Internacionales

Best History/Political Book - English

Hero Street U.S.A. - Marc Wilson - University of Oklahoma Press

2ND Place: Latinos and the Nation's Future - Henry Cisneros, Editor - Arte Público Press

2ND Place: Day of the Dead in the USA: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon - Regina M. Marchi - Rutgers University

Best Reference Book – English - Tie

Chicana and Chicano Art - Carlos Francisco Jackson - University of Arizona Press

Latinos In College: Your Guide to Success - Mariela Dabbah - Consultare

2ND Place: The Fire of Life: The Robert Legorreta-Cyclona Collection 1962-2002 - Robb Hernandez - UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center

Best Reference Book - Spanish or Bilingual

MUTIS. La Real expedición Botánica del Nuevo Reyno de Granada - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Cafés de Colombia - Lilianna Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: Sobre lo fantastico Mexicano - Cecilia Eudave - Letra Rosa Publisher

Best Cookbook - Spanish or Bilingual

Cocinando cuentos de hadas: Caperucita roja y el lobo glotón - Maria Villegas & Jennie Kent - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Cocinando cuentos de hadas: Alicia en el pais de las delicias - Maria Villegas & Jennie Kent - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Cocinando cuentos de hadas: Hansel y Gretel y la casita endulzado - Maria Villegas & Jennie Kent - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: La cocina de los Estefan - Emilio Estefan y Gloria Estefan – Mosaico

Best Health Book – English

The Power of Your Metabolism - Frank Suarez - Metabolic Press – Triple Crown Award Winner

2ND Place: Fit Home Team: The Posada Family Guide to Health, Exercise and Nutrition the Inexpensive and Simple Way –

Laura Posada & Jorge Posada - Atria Books

Best Health Book - Spanish or Bilingual

Descubre Tu Estillo: Tu Guía Para Vestir Mejor - Martín Llorens - Random House Mondadori – Triple Crown Award Winner

2ND Place: El Derecho a la Sexualidad Masculina - Frank Suarez - Self Published

Best Parenting/Family Book - English

Parents Who Cheat. How Children and Adults Are Affected When Their parents Are Unfaithful - Ana Nogales - Health Communications, Inc.

2ND Place: Fit Home Team: The Posada Family Guide to Health, Exercise and Nutrition the Inexpensive and Simple Way –

Laura Posada & Jorge Posada - Atria Books

Best Parenting/Family Book - Spanish or Bilingual - Tie

Con el Alma Rota - Juan Carlos Martin Colea - Self Published

The Wooden Bowl - El bol de Madera - Ramona Moreno Winner - Brainstorm 3000

2ND Place: En busca de Emma - Armando Lucas Correa - Rayo/Harper Collins

Best Religious Book - Spanish or Bilingual

La Vírgen de Guadalupe - Antonía de Alva - Mosaico

2ND Place: Sólo Amor - Sri Daya Mata - Self-Realization Fellowship

2ND Place: El Yoga de Jesús - Paramahansa Yogananda - Self-Realization Fellowship

Honorable Mention: Toma Decisiones Que No lamentaras - T. D. Jakes - Atria Books

Best Self-help Book - Spanish or Bilingual

El Factor X - El poder de la acción en focada - Dr. Camilo Cruz - Editorial Taller Del Exito

2ND Place: Picos y Valles - Spencer Johnson - Atria Books

Honorable Mention: La Ley del Éxito - Paramahansa Yogananda - Self-Realization Fellowship

Honorable Mention: Recetas Para Enriquecer tu Vida Sexuale Como Disfrutar de la Sexualidad en el Matrimonio –Hector y Clemencia Zorrilla – Living Mission Ministries, Inc

Best Spiritual/New Age Book - Spanish or Bilingual

El Yoga de Jesús - Paramahansa Yogananda - Self-Realization Fellowship

2ND Place: La Sabiduria del Alma - Dr. Zhi Gang Sha - Atria Books

Honorable Mention: Meditaciones Metafisicas (revised) - Paramahansa Yogananda - Self-Realization Fellowship

Best Travel Book - Spanish or Bilingual

Amazonia Perdida. La odisea fotográfica en Colombia de Richard Evans Shultes - Wade Davis - Villegas Editores S.A. –

Triple Crown Award Winner

2ND Place: Medellin 360º, Cordial, Pujante y Bella - Cristina Abad y Carolina Jaramillo - Villegas Editores S.A.

Best Women’s Issues Book - English

Dancing with Butterflies - Reyna Grande - Atria Books

2ND Place: Impossible Motherhood - Irene Vilar - Other Press

Best Women’s Issues Book - Spanish or Bilingual

Cómo ahorrar sin perder la cabeza - Ana Galán - Mosaico

2ND Place: La Niña Adentro Del Closet - Benoni Coaud - Wekann Publishing Co.

Honorable Mention: Descubre Tu Estillo: Tu Guía Para Vestir Mejor - Martín Llorens - Random House Mondadori

CATEGORY C – FICTION

Best Popular Fiction - English

B As In Beauty - Alberto Ferreras - Grand Central Publishing

2ND Place: Hungry Woman in Paris - Josefina López - Grand Central Publishing

2ND Place: Golondrina, Why Did You Leave Me? A Novel - Barbara Renaud Gonzalez - University of Texas Press

Honorable Mention: Dancing with Butterflies - Reyna Grande - Atria Books

Best Popular Fiction - Spanish or Bilingual

Diecinueve Minutos - Jodi Picoult - Atria Books

2ND Place: Amor a la Colombiana - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: Nos Vemos en Purgatorio - Ani Palacios McBride - Outskirts Press

Best Novel – Adventure or Drama - English

Sweet Mary - Liz Balmaseda - Atria Books

2ND Place: The River Flows North - Graciela Limón - Arte Público Press

Honorable Mention: A Glass of Water - Jimmy Santiago Baca - Grove/Atlantic, Inc.

Best Novel – Adventure or Drama – Spanish or Bilingual

Nos Vemos en Purgatorio - Ani Palacios McBride - Outskirts Press

2ND Place: El Vencedor Está Solo - Paulo Coelho - Rayo

Honorable Mention: El monte Orígo - Rosario Barros, José A. Carbonell, Carlos A. Dueñas, Rafael G. Jolly, Juan R. Martos,

Vicente A. Vásquez - Letra Rosa Publisher

Best Novel – Historical Fiction - English

Death and the American Dream - Daniel Cano - Bilingual Review Press

2ND Place: Forgetting the Alamo, or, Blood memory: A Novel - Emma Perez - University of Texas Press

Honorable Mention: The Invisible Mountain - Carolina de Robertis - Alfred A. Knopf

Best Novel – Historical Fiction - Spanish or Bilingual

Las Penumbras del General. Vida y muerte de Francisco de Paula Santander - Victor Paz Otero - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: La Estrella de David - Daniel De Cordova - Anura Group

Best Novel – Mystery - English

Death at Solstice: A Gloria Damasco Mystery - Lucha Corpi - Arte Público Press

Best Novel – Romance - English

Vigil - Cecilia Samartin - Atria Books

2ND Place: Clara…Encountering Life - Gabriela Garcia-Williams - Self Published

Best Novel – Romance - Spanish or Bilingual

La Pildora del mal Amor - Anjanette Delgado - Atria Books – Triple Crown Award Winner

2ND Place: Clara…Reencuentro con la vida - Gabriela Garcia-Williams - Self Published

Best Poetry Book - English

The Art of Exile - William Archila - Bilingual Review Press

2ND Place: Poema - Maurice Kilwein Guevara - University of Arizona Press

2ND Place: The Strange House Testifies - Ruth Irupé Sanabria - Bilingual Review Press

Honorable Mention: Faith Run - Ray Gonzalez - University of Arizona Press

CATEGORY D – DESIGN (Title – Illustrator/Designer(s) - Publisher):

Best Cover Design

Colombia en Flor - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Hugo Zapata - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Aim High Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic & Latina Women - Laura Contreras-Rowe - Self Published

Honorable Mention: Boy of the Border - Antonio Castro L. - Sweet Earth Flying Press LLC

Best Cover Illustration

Amor a la Colombiana - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland - Maria Vasquez Boyd - Scapegoat Press

Honorable Mention: Cocinando cuentos de hadas: Caperucita roja y el lobo glotón - Helena Landínez - Villegas Editores S.A.

Best Interior Design

Colombia en Flor - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Arte Internacional, Colección del Banco de la República - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Descubre Tu Estillo: Tu Guía Para Vestir Mejor - Armando Alvarez - Random House Mondadori

Best Use of Photos

Apalaanchi, pescadores Wayuu - Santiago Harker - Villegas Editores S.A.

2ND Place: Medellin 360º, Cordial, Pujante y Bella - Benjamin Villegas - Villegas Editores S.A.

Honorable Mention: Shine Boy - José Galvez - Shine Boy Media

CATEGORY E – AUDIO

Best Children’s Audio Book – Spanish or Bilingual

Frédéric Chopin - Catherine Weill - Combel Editorial – Triple Crown Award Winner

2ND Place: Aesop's Fables/Las Fabulas de Esopo - Georgette Baker - Cantemos

Honorable Mention: Mulitcultural Stories/Cuentos Multiculturales - Georgette Baker - Cantemos

CATEGORY F - THE MARIPOSA AWARDS

Best First Book - English

Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz - Belinda Acosta - Grand Central Publishing

2ND Place: Fit Home Team: The Posada Family Guide to Health, Exercise and Nutrition the Inexpensive and Simple Way -

Laura Posada & Jorge Posada - Atria Books

Honorable Mention: Aim High Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic & Latina Women - Laura Contreras-Rowe - Self Published

Best First Book – Spanish - Tie

Cuantos del norte, historias del sol Hemi - Garcia Linares - CasaTomada

La Estrella de David - Daniel De Cordova - Anura Group

2ND Place: Cautiva: Testimonio de us Secuestro - Clara Rojas - Atria Books

2ND Place: Descubre Tu Estillo: Tu Guía Para Vestir Mejor - Martín Llorens - Random House Mondadori

Honorable Mention: Clara…Reencuentro con la vida - Gabriela Garcia-Williams - Self Published

In addition to these book awards, Latino Literacy Now also awards the Latino Literacy Now Lifetime Achievement Award for publishing excellence and, in association with noted actor, director and community activist Edward James Olmos, hosts the Latino Book & Family Festival series held annually in Houston, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Congratulations to all the winners! And I'd like to extend a special congratulations to Full Circle Literary's winners Carmen Tafolla, René Colato Laínez, and Reyna Grande. ¡Felicidades! —Adriana

Lee and Low Books Announces the 2010 New Voices Award

LEE & LOW BOOKS, award-winning publisher of children's books, is pleased to announce the eleventh annual NEW VOICES AWARD. The Award will be given for a children's picture book manuscript by a writer of color. The Award winner receives a cash grant of $1000 and our standard publication contract, including our basic advance and royalties for a first time author. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash grant of $500.

Established in 2000, the New Voices Award encourages writers of color to submit their work to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. Past New Voices Award submissions that we have published include Ghosts for Breakfast, a Smithsonian Magazine Notable Children's Book; Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and a Texas Bluebonnet Masterlist selection; and Bird, an ALA Notable Children's Book.

Eligibility

The contest is open to writers of color who are residents of the United States and who have not previously had a children's picture book published.

Writers who have published other work in venues such as children's magazines, young adult, or adult fiction or nonfiction, are eligible. Only unagented submissions will be accepted. Work that has been published in any format is not eligible for this award. Manuscripts previously submitted for this award or to LEE & LOW BOOKS are not eligible.

Submissions

Manuscripts should address the needs of children of color by providing stories with which they can identify and relate, and which promote a greater understanding of one another.

Submissions may be FICTION, NONFICTION, or POETRY for children ages 5 to 12. Folklore and animal stories will not be considered.

Manuscripts should be no more than 1500 words in length and accompanied by a cover letter that includes the author's name, address, phone number, email address, brief biographical note, relevant cultural and ethnic information, how the author heard about the award, and publication history, if any.

Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced on 8-1/2" x 11" paper. A self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage must be included if you wish to have the manuscript returned.

Up to two submissions per entrant. Each submission should be submitted separately.

Submissions should be clearly addressed to:

LEE & LOW BOOKS
95 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
ATTN: New Voices Award

Manuscripts may not be submitted to other publishers or to LEE & LOW BOOKS general submissions while under consideration for this Award. LEE & LOW BOOKS is not responsible for late, lost, or incorrectly addressed or delivered submissions.

Dates for Submission

Manuscripts will be accepted from May 1, 2010, through September 31, 2010 and must be postmarked within that period.

Announcement of the Award

The Award and Honor Award winners will be selected no later than December 31, 2010. All entrants who include an SASE will be notified in writing of our decision by January 31, 2011. The judges are the editors of LEE & LOW BOOKS. The decision of the judges is final. At least one Honor Award will be given each year, but LEE & LOW BOOKS reserves the right not to choose an Award winner.

For information about previous winners, click here.

Good luck to everyone! —Adriana

Latino Books Month Giveaway!

It's that time again! Hachette Book Group has once again generously provided copies of books by Latino authors to give away to readers of VOCES in honor of Latino Books Month.

ONE winner will received THREE books of his/her choosing from those listed below:

Try to Remember By Iris Gomez

Hot (broke) Messes By Nancy Trejos

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter By Kathy Cano-Murillo

Little Nuggets of Wisdom By Chuy Bravo, Tom Brunelle

Lone Star Legend By Gwendolyn Zepeda

Into the Beautiful North By Luis Alberto Urrea

Amigoland By Oscar Casares

(To find out more about the books, click on their titles.)

To win your copies, do the following:

1. Become a follower of VOCES by clicking on the appropriate box on the side bar.
   
2. Once you have become a VOCES follower, send me an email to adrianasblog@gmail.com confirming that you have done so, and include the following information:

• The titles of the three books you would like to receive.
  
• Your name and shipping address, so that we can know where to send the books.
• An idea for a future post for VOCES, a feature that you'd like to see added to the blog, or feedback on what you like and may not have liked so much about my posts so far. As I stated in my first post, I want this to be a place for dialogue among those interested in Latino lit, so this information will benefit all!
  

*Those who are already followers of the blog also qualify for the giveaway. If you are a follower, please let me know in your email message, and include the rest of the information requested.

One winner will be chosen randomly on the last day of Latino Book Month, May 31st. The winner will be announced on the site on JUNE 1ST, 2010. Good luck!

**Books will be delivered by publisher. Contest is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Books will not be delivered to P.O. boxes.

IN MEMORIAM—Rose Treviño

Authors, illustrators, readers, advocates for Latino literature, and book lovers of all sorts have suffered a great loss. Rose Treviño, former Youth Services Coordinator for the Houston Public Library, passed away on Friday. Rose was a dear friend and someone I truly admired. She was the type of person who would not hesitate to offer a helping hand, and was willing to introduce you to the right people to ensure your sucess, as she understood that one person's success in this field, signifies a success for the field as a whole. She worked tirelessly to make a difference and knew how to get things done. I consider myself lucky to have known her. Below, I have included a link to an interview I conducted with Rose some time ago for Críticas magazine. Anyone interested in Latino publishing should read this interview to become aware of the amazing work librarians do everyday to promote our books. My heart and thoughts go out to her family, and to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Rose and is as saddened by this loss as I am. Feel free to comment below if you are so inclined.—Adriana

http://www.criticasmagazine.com/article/CA6605985.html?industryid=48434

Update: Here is an article about Rose, published by SLJ on 5/3/10.

NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER AWARDS TWO LITERARY PRIZES

The National Hispanic Cultural Center and the National Latino Writers Conference are pleased to announce the winners of the NHCC’s two literary awards. The first is the Premio Aztlán awarded to an emerging author who shows promise as a writer. The second is the bi-annual NHCC Literary Award given to an established writer with an impressive body of work and who has impacted the productivity and success of other Hispanic writers.

Luis Alberto Urrea has won the NHCC Literary Award for the breadth of his work in non-fiction, poetry, novel, short fiction, essay and memoir. Mr. Urrea has published fourteen books and several titles are forthcoming. He has been a past faculty member of the National Latino Writers Conference. From his presence at the NLWC we know him to be generous with his attention and knowledge in a workshop setting.

Urrea has been the recipient of the Kiriyama Pacific Rim Prize for fiction, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for non-fiction, winner of the Lannan Foundation Literary Award for non-fiction, the Premio Fronterizo Award/Border Book Festival, the Latino Literary Hall of Fame award and the Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award, among others. Luis Urrea is presently a Professor of English/Creative Writing at the University of Chicago at Illinois.

Other nominees included: Francisco X. Alarcón, Alurista, Gloria Anzaldúa, Norma Cantú, Ana Castillo, Lorna Dee Cervantes, Judith Ortiz Cofer, Ray Gonzalez, Juan Felipe Herrera, Graciela Limón, Benjamin Alire Sáenz, John Phillip Santos, Sabine Ullibarrí, and Helena María Viramontes.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center Literary Award has been given since 2002. Past award recipients include: Rudolfo Anaya, Denise Chávez, Pat Mora and Martín Espada. The award will be presented to Luis Alberto Urrea on Friday evening May 21st during the National Latino Writers Conference banquet. The NHCC Literary Prize is $2,500.00 and Mr. Urrea will be in attendance to accept the award and make remarks to the National Latino Writers Conference.

Gloria Zamora, a native New Mexican has been awarded the Premio Aztlan for her book, Sweet Nata: Growing Up in Rural New Mexico. Her book was one of the most successful titles published by the University of New Mexico press in 2009.

The Premio Aztlán was established in 1993 by famous local author Rudolfo Anaya and his wife Patricia, who passed away several months ago. Established at the University of New Mexico, the Premio Aztlán was moved to the National Hispanic Cultural Center in 2008 as part of the Center’s annual National Latino Writer’s conference. The conference will be held, May 19-22, 2010 for the eighth consecutive year and draws writers from throughout the country. Ms. Zamora will be required to offer a short lecture at this year’s conference where she will receive a prize of $1,000.

[Note: There is still time to register for the National Latino Writers Conference. I have attended more than once and definitely recommend it. Just take a look at this year's faculty in the link at the beginning of this post!]

Why I Love My Job/The 2010 Pura Belpré Awards

As book editor, reviewer, translator, and now literary agent, one of my career goals has always been clear: to promote Latino and Spanish language literature in the US, and to help Latino authors in particular get published. That is what this blog is about, and the reason why we all gather here; to learn more about this portion of the book publishing industry, and to find ways to promote it, and make it grow.

So imagine my delight when I received a call from a former colleague at HarperCollins Children's Books informing me that one of the books I edited during my time at HCC received the American Library Association's (ALA) 2010 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration! The book is Pat Mora's bilingual BOOK FIESTA!, illustrated by the brilliant Rafaél López. Working on Pat's poetic text was a joy that could only be matched by seeing the original art pieces submitted by Rafael. I remember the thrill of holding the explosively colorful wooden boards and the feeling that we were putting together something truly special. Part of what made the book special was the fact that it is the first to celebrate Pat Mora's Día de los niños/Día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), a celebration that she founded some 14 years ago, with the noble aim to simply unite all children and books. I encourage you to pick up BOOK FIESTA! and to share it with the children around you; it is truly a work of art, and like all great works of art, it aspires to a greater purpose and does so beautifully.


Visit the ALA website for the full list of the 2010 Pura Belpré winners, which includes yet another book authored by Pat Mora, which I had the honor of translating. GRACIAS/THANKS serves as another example of a beautiful marriage between (Pat Mora's) poetic text, and images. I am so proud to have been involved in two of this year's winners. I so enjoy seeing our amazing Latino literature being celebrated!

2009 Wrap-up

Hello everyone!
I want to begin this post by thanking the increasingly large number of followers of this blog. You are the reason I continue to write it, despite a very busy schedule. The holidays have been busier than usual and I don't plan on writing again until next year, so this wrap up will include a number of items I've been meaning to share with you for some time now. Happy holidays!

Another Record Broken

You may have read about Planeta’s million-copy printing of the Spanish edition of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, but you may not be aware of the ways in which the Spanish publisher’s publicity efforts have crossed new frontiers. Want to see the best-selling author speak Spanish? Then, visit Tinta Fresca, the site for reviews of Spanish language books, where you can see a short introductory clip featuring Mr. Brown welcoming the magazine’s readers in Spanish, atop a full Spanish language interview. But that's not all, El símbolo perdido, as the Spanish language edition is called, made history in my own hometown of New York on November 26^th , when it was advertised on the Times Square big screen. It is the first time in PR Newswire history that a Spanish book is shown on the famous screen.

The Spanish language edition of "The Lost Symbol" displayed on the famous Times Square "big screen."

For more information on El símbolo perdido, visit the book’s official site.

Why I’m Thankful

This year, I was offered a wonderful opportunity to work with a dear friend when I was asked to translate Pat Mora’s exquisite bilingual picture book Gracias/Thanks, in which a young boy tells about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful. I am thankful for having a small part in the making of this wonderful book, which represents one of those rare, perfect combinations of text and images. Pat’s poetic text, beautiful in its simplicity, is perfectly matched by John Parra’s warm illustrations.

But don’t take my word for it, read some of the glowing reviews it has received:

From School Library Journal/Críticas® magazine:

“The poetic writing flows in both Spanish and English and carries a sense of happiness brought by the simple things in life. The cheery and brightly colored acrylic illustrations are full of fun details and add depth to the text.” (Full review.)

From Booklist® (starred review):

“These blessings are remarkable for their childlike imagination and fresh imagery…Books of thanks can run toward clichés, but the originality and liveliness of language and art in this one will inspire children to consider their own blessings." (Full review only available to subscribers.)

From Kirkus Reviews® (starred review):

“Mora has a keen sense of the concrete, child-friendly detail, and it’s put to splendid use here. Readers will find themselves nodding in agreement as the unnamed narrator gives thanks to the ladybug that lands on his finger, the bees that don’t sting him and his little brother, who throws mashed peas at their sister. Parra’s folk-art–style acrylics evoke a suburban neighborhood replete with twining morning glories, green lawns, and red-tiled roofs. Domínguez’s Spanish translation precedes the English text of this bilingual tale on each spread, a thoughtful touch that honors both the book’s creators and its Latino audience. For this graceful celebration, ¡gracias!" (Full review.)

If you are looking for a wonderful bilingual book with a great message, make sure you pick up this one. You’ll be glad you did!

My Favorite Books of 2009

Here is a short list of some of my favorite books of 2009. It is by no means exhaustive, since my schedule this year did not permit me to put out my usual call to publishers to evaluate their full lists. It is also uniquely mine, and includes books that I’ve worked on, authors I’ve worked with, stories that left me hungry for more from the same author, and some children’s books that I think every Latino parent should have.

If you don’t see your favorite, add it to the list in the comments section! Together, we can come up with a fantastic list of Latino and Spanish language titles for those looking to give books as presents this year. And if you haven’t yet, run out and buy a book for a friend or a family member, or many books! Remember: “a home without books is a body without a soul.”

For Children:

"In My..." series of finger puppet books, illustrated by Argentine artist Lorena Siminovich.

Some fun and educational choices in Spanish from Rufus Butler Seder and Georgina Lázaro.

Some wonderful bilingual choices from René Colato Laínez, Guadalupe Rivera Marín (Diego Rivera's daughter), and Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy.

Tween and teen choices by some of our best Latino authors: Julia Alvarez, Diana López. and Matt de la Peña.

For Adults:

The Invisible Mountain by Carolina de Robertis

Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea

Ruins By Achy Obejas

Dancing with Butterflies by Reyna Grande

Espejos by Eduardo Galeano (also available in English as "Mirrors")

Sweet Mary by Liz Balmaseda

America Libre (in English) by Raul Ramos y Sánchez

B as in Beauty by Alberto Ferreras

Happy Reading!