The Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs and the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress celebrated the 2020 Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature this fall with virtual programming, featuring several recognized authors and illustrators.
On Monday, October 5, CLASP and the Library of Congress hosted a virtual Book Talk with Mitali Perkins, author of 2020 award-winner Between Us and Abuela. During this live conversation, Mitali shared context for her beautiful book, as well as tips for classroom incorporation.
View Program Recording here
View Supplementary Curricular Resource here
On Monday, October 12, the Library of Congress published the 2020 Américas Award Virtual Ceremony, which featured Suzanne Schadl, Chief of the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress, as well as honorees Tony Johnston, Mitali Perkins, Rebecca Balcárcel, Aida Salazar, and Zeke Peña.
View Program here
Founded in 1993, the Américas Award links the Americas by reaching beyond geographic borders and multicultural-international boundaries, focusing upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere. Beast Rider written by Tony Johnston and Maria Elena Fontanot De Rhoads and Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border written by Mitali Perkins and illustrated by Sara Palacios won the 2020 Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Three Honor Books, My Papi has a Motorcycle written by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Peña, The Moon Within written by Aida Salazar, and The Other Half of Happy written by Rebecca Balcárcel were recognized this year along with 9 commended titles. Explore the complete list of recognized titles here.
The Américas Award is coordinated by the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University and the Center for Latin American Studies at Vanderbilt University.