Pura Belpre Award Winning Books

  Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan is an award winning historical fiction book based on the life of a Mexican migrant farmer in the 1930´s.  Esperanza is the daughter of a wealthy grape grower in Mexico.  Her life is good, until her father is killed by bandits.  Esperanza´s mother is convinced by her uncle to marry him, but after he burns down the ranch, Esperanza, her mother, and a family of former servants escape to California to become farmworkers.  Esperanza must learn to work hard.  When her mother falls ill, she joins the field workers through the crop seasons.  Other problems arise when farmers begin to strike and more migrant farmers arive.  Esperanza must overcome struggles and and keep her hope alive. Ryan Pam Muñoz. (2007). Esperanza rising . Scholastic Inc.

 Juana and Lucas is the first book in a chapter book series set in Columbia that integrates Spanish vocabulary.  Juana enjoys her happy life with her friends and family, but struggles in math and is scared of her parent teacher conference.  Things get worse when her teacher introduces English to the class.  Juana questions why she has to learn English, and is given many different reasons.  She becomes motivated to learn when she finds out her grandma is going to take her to Spaceworld in Orlando, Florida.  By the end, she loves to learn and speak English. Medina, J. (2019). Juana & Lucas . Candlewick Press.

Efren Divided is about seventh grader, Efren, who happily lives with his family in Santa Ana, California.  Due to his parents not having immigration paperwork, Efren´s parents are forced to work unsteady, low paying jobs.  However, his parents vow to make a loving home for their kids, and set a good example for them.  Unexpectedly Efren´s mom is forced to move back to Mexico after getting in the middle of an ICE raid.  His father desperately tries to get her back, and Efren is forced to take on most of the responsiblities at home.  He becomes angry at the unfairness of it all.  Efren has a best friend, the only white kid in class, that wants to run for student body president and have Efren help as his campaign manager.   Cisneros, E. (2020). Efren Divided . Quill Tree Books.

  I Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin is about a young Chilean girl, Celeste, who loves her home and country until its overtaken by dictatorship of Augusto Pincochet.  People begin to vanish and she sent to Maine to live with her aunt where she must adjust to a new culture and way of life.  When Celeste returns two years later, she finds her country tattered by the dictatorship.  She also learns her parents have disappeared.  Celeste is determined to find her parents and to help her country heal. I Lived on Butterfly Hill reveals the hardships of the people affected by the totalitarian regime of Pincochet.  The story gives a voice to a country trying to heal. Agosín Marjorie, O'Connor, E. M., & White, L. (2015). I lived on Butterfly Hill . Atheneum Books for Young Readers.   

  Vamos! Let´s Go to the Market is comic style book with lots of Spanish vocabulary.  The main character Little Lobo, a wolf, and his dog, Bernabe, who explore the market to deliver supplies to a variety of vendors.  The sell everything from sweets to sombreros, portraits to pinatas, and carved masks to comic books.  On each page the reader will find Spanish names for each item in the market.  There is also English translation at the bottom of the page when a character speaks Spanish.  Vamos! Let´s Go to the Market has won a Pura Belpre medal for its beautifully drawn illustrations that allow readers to experience a busy world while being exposed to Spanish vocabulary.  The reader will be immersed in Latin culture. Third, R. the. (2019). ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market . Versify.

  My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero shares the strong bond and love between father and daughter.  The main character, Daisy, zooms around the neighborhood for her evening rides with her dad on his electric blue motorcycle.  They enjoy riding past taquerias, murals, and say hello to friends and family in their city of Corona, California.  As the community changes over time, the love for father is always there. Through bright and beautiful illustrations, you will get to experience the unique culture and experiences of Daisy´s hometown in California while she pays tribute to her hardworking father.   Quintero, I. (2019). My Papi Has a Motorcycle . Kokila.