Blake Library: Belpre Awards - University of Maine at Fort Kent

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The Pura Belpre Award

DATE	AUTHOR & BOOK TITLE	LOCATION
2013	A=Author Award, I=Illustrator Award
A	Sáenz, Benjamin Alire - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Fifteen-year-old Ari Mendoza is an angry loner with a brother in prison, but when he meets Dante and they become friends, Ari starts to ask questions about himself, his parents, and his family that he has never asked before.	Available in URSUS
I	Diaz, David - Martín de Porres: The Rose in the Desert (Author: Gary D. Schmidt) The story of Saint Martin de Porres--an endearing tale of perseverance, faith, and triumph over racial and economic prejudice. (Description from MaineCat)	Available in MaineCat
2012	A=Author Award, I=Illustrator Award
A	McCall, Guadalupe Garcia - Under the Mesquite Lupita, a budding actor and poet in a close-knit Mexican American immigrant family, comes of age as she struggles with adult responsibilities during her mother's battle with cancer in this young adult novel in verse. -- Amazon.com	Available in URSUS
I	Tonatiuh, Duncan - Diego Rivera: His World and Ours (Author: Duncan Tonatiuh) An introduction to the life, career, and influence of the Mexican painter Diego Rivera.	Available in URSUS
2011	A=Author Award, I=Illustrator Award
A	Ryan, Pam Muñoz - The Dreamer A fictionalized biography of the Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who grew up a painfully shy child, ridiculed by his overbearing father, but who became one of the most widely-read poets in the world.	Available in URSUS
I	Velasquez, Eric - Grandma's Gift (Author: Eric Velasquez) The author describes Christmas at his grandmother's apartment in Spanish Harlem the year she introduced him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Diego Velazquez's portrait of Juan de Pareja, which has had a profound and lasting effect on him.	Available in URSUS
2010	A=Author Award, I=Illustrator Award
A	Alvarez, Julia - Return to Sender After his family hires migrant Mexican workers to help save their Vermont farm from foreclosure, eleven-year-old Tyler befriends the oldest daughter, but when he discovers they may not be in the country legally, he realizes that real friendship knows no borders. (description from MaineCat)	Available in URSUS
I	López, Rafael - Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Author: Pat Mora) Children read aloud in various settings to celebrate of El Día de los niños, or Children's Day, in this bilingual story. Includes facts about Mexico's annual celebration of children (April 30) and the book fiestas that are often included Sumario en español: Los niños leen en voz alta en varias colocaciones para celebrar el Día de los niños, en esta historia bilingüe. Incluye datos sobre la celebración mexicana anual de ninos y las fiestas del libro que a menudo son incluídas (description from MaineCat)	Available in URSUS
2009	A=Author Award, I=Illustrator Award
A	Engle, Margarita - The Surrender Tree Cuba has fought three wars for independence, and still she is not free. This history in verse creates a lyrical portrait of Cuba	YA PS3555.N4254 S87 2008
I	Morales, Yuyi - Just In Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book As Señor Calavera prepares for Grandma Beetle's birthday he finds an alphabetical assortment of unusual presents, but with the help of Zelmiro the Ghost, he finds the best gift of all	JUV PZ7.M7881927 J87 2008
2008
A	Engle, Margarita - The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano Juan Francisco Manzano was born in 1797 into the household of wealthy slaveowners in Cuba. He spent his early years at the side of his owner's wife, entertaining her friends. His poetry was his outlet, reflecting the beauty and cruelty of his world. Written in verse	YA PS3555.N4254 P64 2006
I	Morales, Yuyi - Los Gatos Black on Halloween	JUV PZ8.3.M775 G38 2006
2006
A	Canales, Viola - The Tequila Worm Sofia grows up in the close-knit community of the barrio in McAllen, Texas, then finds that her experiences as a scholarship student at an Episcopal boarding school in Austin only strengthen her ties to family and her "comadres."	YA PZ7.C1616 T46 2005
I	Colón, Raul - Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart Doña Flor, a giant lady with a big heart, sets off to protect her neighbors from what they think is a dangerous animal, but soon discovers the tiny secret behind the huge noise	JUV Ovr. PZ7.M78819 D66 2005
2004
A	Alvarez, Julia - Before We Were Free In the early 1960s in the Dominican Republic, twelve-year-old Anita learns that her family is involved in the underground movement to end the bloody rule of the dictator, General Trujillo	YA PZ7.A48 B44 2002
I	Morales, Yuyi - Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book In this version of a traditional tale, Senor Calavera arrives at Grandma Beetle's door, ready to take her to the next life, but after helping her count, in English and Spanish, as she makes her birthday preparations, he changes his mind	JUV PZ8.1.M7955 J8 2003
2002
A	Rayn, Pam Munoz - Esperanza Rising Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression	YA PZ7.R9553 E8 2000
I	Guevara, Susan - Chato and the Party Animals Chato decides to throw a "pachanga" for his friend Novio Boy, who has never had a birthday party, but when it is time to party, Novio Boy cannot be found	Don't Have
2000
A	Ada, Alma Flor - Under the Royal Palms: A Childhood in Cuba The author recalls her life and impressions growing up in Cuba	YA PS3551.D22 Z475 1998
I	Garza, Carmen Lomas - Magic Windows In Spanish and English, Carmen Lomas Garza portrays her family's Mexican customs through cut-paper work	JUV E184. M5 L59 1999
1998
A	Martinez, Victor - Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida Manny relates his coming of age experiences as a member of a poor Mexican American family in which the alcoholic father only adds to everyone's struggle	YA PZ7. M36718 P3 1996
I	Garcia, Stephanie - Snapshots From the Wedding Maya, the flower girl, describes a Mexican American wedding through snapshots of the day's events, beginning with the procession to the altar and ending with her sleeping after the dance	JUV PZ7.S7242 S6 1997
1996
A	Cofer, Judith Ortiz - An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio Twelve stories about young people caught between their Puerto Rican heritage and their American surroundings	Don't Have
I	Guevara, Susan - Chato's Kitchen To get the "ratoncitos," little mice, who have moved into the barrio to come to his house, Chato the cat prepares all kinds of good food: fajitas, frijoles, salsa, enchiladas, and more	Don't Have

Honor Books (both Author and Illustrator) available at Blake Library:
From the Bellybutton of the Moon and other Summer Poems:	JUV PS3551.L22 F76 1998
Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems:	JUV PS 3551.L22 L38 1997
In My Family:	JUV E184.S75 L67 1996
Family Pictures:	JUV E184.S75 L66 1990

All descriptions, unless otherwise noted, are those used in URSUS, the University Maine System library catalog.