Pura Belpré Award

The Pura Belpré Award recognizes outstanding Latino/Latina authors and illustrators whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in children's and young adult literature. Established in 1996 by the American Library Association, it highlights books that capture the richness of Latino heritage, stories, and traditions, fostering cultural understanding and representation. The award honors Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in literature to connect young readers with Latino culture.