Pura Belpré Author Award
Pura Belpré Author Award references 23 books assigned across applicable K-12 grade levels in US schools. The Pura Belpré Author Award is given annually by the American Library Association 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. Winners are widely taught and assigned in US schools.
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23 books referenced
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the UniverseBenjamin Alire Sáenz
- Burn Down, Rise UpVincent Tirado
- Efren DividedErnesto Cisneros
- Enchanted AirMargarita Engle
FrizzyClaribel Ortega- FuriaYamile Saied Méndez
- How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the UniverseRaquel Vasquez Gilliland
- I Lived on Butterfly HillMarjorie Agosín
- Juana and LucasJuana Medina
- LolaKarla Arenas Valenti
- Lucky Broken GirlRuth Behar
MexikidPedro Martín- Saints of the HouseholdAri Tison
Sal and Gabi Break the UniverseCarlos Hernandez
Shut Up, This Is SeriousCarolina Ixta- The DreamerPam Muñoz Ryan
The Last CuentistaDonna Barba Higuera- The Poet Slave of CubaMargarita Engle
The Poet XElizabeth Acevedo · 800L- The Surrender Tree / El ábol de la rendiciónMargarita Engle
- The Tequila WormViola Canales
- Under the MesquiteGuadalupe Garcia McCall
- Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass: The Graphic NovelMeg Medina
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About this curriculum framework
This curriculum is one of dozens of named English Language Arts frameworks tracked across US public-school districts. Frameworks differ in scope (district-level vs state-level vs national), in mandate (required vs recommended vs elective), and in how prescriptive their reading lists are (single fixed text list vs broad reading-pool selection).
The book list below represents titles cited as required, recommended, or commonly assigned within this framework, sourced from the framework's primary documentation (or, where the framework is administered at district level, from public district curriculum pages). Each book's detail page links the specific source document for that citation.
How to use this Pura Belpré Author Award reading list
The book list above represents titles ReadingList has confirmed as referenced by Pura Belpré Author Award— either through the framework’s own published documentation, through audited classroom syllabi citing the framework, or through US state and district curriculum guides that map their reading expectations to it. Each book’s detail page links the specific primary source so parents, teachers, and students can verify the citation and locate the official document.
Reading lists evolve. Pura Belpré Author Award citations on ReadingList are reviewed on a rolling basis as primary sources publish updates. If you teach or learn under this framework and a title on this page is no longer used (or you know of one that should appear), the ReadingList methodology page explains how to submit a correction with a citation.
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Frequently asked questions
What books does Pura Belpré Author Award include?
23 books are referenced by Pura Belpré Author Award across applicable K-12 grade levels. Each book page cites the primary source assignment (the official curriculum standard, exemplar list, or syllabus where the title appears).
What grades does Pura Belpré Author Award cover?
Pura Belpré Author Award is a reading-program curriculum spanning applicable K-12 grade levels via the standards framework. Browse by grade using the grade-filter links on this page or visit /grade for the full grade index across all curricula.
Where does Pura Belpré Author Award data come from?
Sourced from published curriculum documents + standards organizations. Cross-referenced with Common Core exemplars at achievethecore.org. Every book page on ReadingList.school cites the standards origin for that assignment.
Is Pura Belpré Author Award required reading?
Pura Belpré Author Award provides recommended exemplars + assignments — adoption varies by district and teacher. Always check with your school's English department for the specific required vs recommended list at your grade level.