Teaching Resources

Américas Award Curriculum

Américas Award winning titles are judged based upon four criteria, the last of which is their potential for classroom use. To strengthen teachers’ and librarians’ abilities to use these books in the classroom, CLASP has produced and compiled the following curricular resources.

Note that, unless otherwise indicated, the curricula below was developed by Linda Kreft (retired director, Technology-Curriculum Resource Center, Milwaukee Public Schools), on behalf of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies

We also invite you to see the relevant materials listed on TeachingBooks and on Goodreads.

2022
Child of the Flower-Song People by Gloria Amescua and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh. 2022 Américas Award Winner. Curriculum developed by Kristine Witko and Katrina Dillon, University of Arizona, 2024.

My Two Border Towns by David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza. 2022 Américas Award Winner. Curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of Arizona, 2023.

Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs. 2022 Américas Award Honor Book. Curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of Arizona, on behalf of the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs, 2023.

The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. 2022 Américas Award Honor Book. Curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of Arizona.

2021
Stories of Migration: Thematic Unit for the Spanish Language Classroom Features Américas Award recognized books including La travesía de Enrique by Sonia Nazario and Me dicen Guero by David Bowles among others. Curriculum developed by Christi Moraga on behalf of the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs, 2021.

2020
Between Us and Abuela by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Sara Palacios (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers) – Award Winner
Video Recording: Book Talk with Mitali Perkins

2019
Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings by Francie Latour and illustrated by Ken Daley (House of Anansi Press) – Honorable Mention – curriculum developed by Nancy Pendleton in collaboration with Vanderbilt University
Video Recording: Author Reading with Francie Latour

2018
American Street by Ibi Zoboi – Award Winner – curriculum developed by Erin Hunt in collaboration with Vanderbilt University

2017
Ada’s Violin by Susan Hood and illustrated by Sally Wern Comport (Simon and Schuster) – Award Winner – curriculum developed by Erin Lierl, Tulane University

The Only Road by Alexandra Díaz (Simon & Schuster, 2016) – Award Winner – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

Malaika’s Costume by Nadia L. Horn and illustrated by Irene Luxbacher (Simon and Schuster) – Honorable Mention – curriculum developed by Erin Lierl, Tulane University

Rainbow Weaver: Tejedora del Arcoíris by Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrated by Elisa Chavarri (Lee and Lowe) – Commended Title – curriculum developed by Stone Center for Latin American Studies, Tulane University

Margarito’s Forest/El bosque de Don Margarito by Andy Carter and illustrated by Allison Havens, translated by Omar Mejía (Hard Ball Press) – Commended Title – curriculum developed by LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin.

2016
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh (Abrams Books) – Honorable Mention – curriculum developed by Lisa Finelli, Vanderbilt University

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez (Carolrhoda Lab, 2015) – 2016 Award Winner – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico, on behalf of CLASP.

2015
Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh (Abrams Books) – Award Winner – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico, on behalf of CLASP

Silver People by Margarita Engle (HMH Books) – Award Winner – curriculum developed by Jonas Edman, Stanford University’s SPICE, on behalf of CLASP

Migrant by José Manuel Mateo and Javier Martinez Pedro (Abrams Books) – Honorable Mention – curriculum developed by LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, The University of Texas at Austin.

2014
Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh (Abrams Books) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico, on behalf of CLASP

2013
The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano (Scholastic) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2012
Hurricane Dancers by Margarita Engle (Henry Holt & Co.) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe García McCall (Lee & Low Books) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

The Queen of Water by Laura Resau and María Virginia Farinango (Delacorte Press) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2011
The Dreamer (El Soñador) by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Peter Sís (Scholastic)- curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2010
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez (Knopf) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann (Curbstone Press) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2009
The Surrender Tree (El árbol de la rendición) by Margarita Engle (Henry Holt and Co.) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2007-2008
Yum! ¡Mmmm! ¡Que Rico! by Pat Mora (Lee & Low) – curriculum developed by Erin Lierl, Tulane University

2006
What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau (Yearling) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2005
The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales (Random House) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2004
My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia by Monica Brown; Rafael López Illustrator (Luna Rising)

Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Cinco Puntos) – curriculum developed by Katrina Dillon, University of New Mexico

2003
Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
by Yuyi Morales (Chronicle Books)

The Meaning of Consuelo by Judith Ortiz Cofer (Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

2002
Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez (Knopf)

Frida by Jonah Winter; Ana Juan Illustrator (Scholastic, Inc.) Honorable Mention

Behind the Mountains by Edwidge Danticat (HarperCollins) Honorable Mention

2001
A Movie in My Pillow by Jorge Argueta; Elizabeth Gómez Illustrator (Children’s Book Press)

Breaking Through by Francisco Jiménez (Houghton Mifflin)

2000
The Composition by Antonio Skármeta; Alfonso Ruano Illustrator (Groundwood)

The Color of My Words by Lynn Joseph (HarperCollins)

1999
Crashboomlove by Juan Felipe Herrera (University of New Mexico Press)

1998
Barrio: José’s Neighborhood by George Ancona (Harcourt Brace)

Mama and Papa Have a Store by Amelia Lau Carling (Dial)

1997
The Circuit by Francisco Jiménez (University of New Mexico Press)

The Face at the Window by Regina Hanson; Linda Saport Illustrator (Clarion)

Mayeros: A Yucatec Family by George Ancona; (Harper Collins) – developed by the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University and the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

1996
In My Family/En mi familia by Carmen Lomas Garza (Children’s Book Press)

Parrot in the Oven by Victor Martínez (HarperCollins)

1995
Tonight, by Sea by Frances Temple (Orchard)

1994
The Mermaid’s Twin Sister by Lynn Joseph (Clarion)

1993
Vejigante Masquerader by Lulu Delacre (Scholastic)