Book Award Winners
2022 Award Winners
2021 Award Winners
Works For Younger Readers
Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns: A Mesoamerican Creation Myth
by: Duncan Tonatiuh
Long ago, the gods of Mesoamerica set out to create humans. They tried many times during each sun, or age. When all their attempts failed and the gods grew tired, only one did not give up: Quetzalcóatl—the Feathered Serpent. To continue, he first had to retrieve the sacred bones of creation guarded by Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld. Gathering his staff, shield, cloak, and shell ornament for good luck, Feathered Serpent embarked on the dangerous quest to create humankind.
Award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of Feathered Serpent, one of the most important deities in ancient Mesoamerica. With his instantly recognizable, acclaimed art style and grand storytelling, Tonatiuh recounts a thrilling creation tale of epic proportions.
Works For Younger Readers
The Spirit of Chicano Park/El espíritu del Parque Chicano
Written by: Beatrice Zamora
Illustrated by: Maira Meza
Bettie and Bonky discover a magical park located in a most peculiar place, under a bridge! They learn to love their new home in Barrio Logan, a neighborhood with a rich history in San Diego, California. Through the eyes of a mystical Señora they travel through a historical journey of a community’s struggle to build a park. They learn the true history of Chicano Park and the importance of finding their voice and community action.
This historical fiction children's book tells the dynamic story of the people of Logan Heights and world-famous Chicano Park. It is bilingual in English and Spanish and includes short biographies of several community champions in the back section.
Works For Older Readers
Dreaming with Mariposas
by: Sonia Gutiérrez
Dreaming with Mariposas, written in a Tomás Rivera and Sandra Cisneros bildungsroman vignette style, recounts the story of the Martínez family as told through the eyes of transfronteriza/transboundary Sofía “Chofi” Martínez. Chofi witnesses institutional racism, sexual harassment, and colorism and learns to navigate her parents’ dreams and her dreams as she discovers her superpower, the strength of her Mexican Indigenous heritage, and the spirit world.
Previous Award Winners
| 2020 |
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| My Papi Has A Motorcycle Written by Isabel Quintero Illustrated by Zeke Peña |
| 2019 |
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| Dreamers Written by Yuyi Morales Illustrated by Yuyi Morales |
| 2019 |
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| They Call me Güero, A Border Kid's Poems Written by David Bowles |
| 2018 |
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| All Around Us Written by Xelena González Illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia |
| 2018 |
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| The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez |
| 2018 |
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| I Am Not Your Perfect Mexcian Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez |
| 2017 |
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| Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood |
| 2017 |
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| The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork |
| 2016 |
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| Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras Written and Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh |
| 2016 |
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| Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez |
| 2015 |
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| Separate is Never Equal Written and Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh |
| 2015 |
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| Gabi: A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero |
| 2014 |
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| Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale Written and Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh |
| 2014 |
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| Diego Rivera: An Artist for the People Written and Illustrated by Susan Goldman Rubin |
| 2013 |
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| Under the Mesquite Written by Guadalupe Garcia McCall |
| 2012 |
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| Sylvia and Aki Written by Winifred Conkling |
| 2012 |
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| Diego Rivera: His World and Ours Written and Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh |
| 2011 |
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| Bait by Alex Sanchez |
| 2010 |
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| What Can You Do With a Paleta? Written by Carmen Tafolla Illustrated by Magaly Morales |
| 2009 |
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| The Holly Tortilla and a Pot of Beans Written by Carmen Tafolla |
| 2009 |
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| He Forgot to Say Goodbye Written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz |
| 2008 |
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| Los Gatos Black on Halloween Written by Marisa Montes Illustrated by Yuyi Morales |
| 2007 |
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| Downtown Boy by Juan Felipe Herrera |
| 2006 |
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| José! Born to Dance Written by Susanna Reich Illustrated by Raúl Colón |
| 2005 |
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| Becoming Naomi León by Pam Muñoz Ryan |
| 2004 |
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| Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book Written and Illustrated by Yuyi Morales |
| 2003 |
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| A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Written by Pat Mora Illustrated by Beatriz Vidal |
| 2002 |
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| Breaking Through by Francisco Jiménez |
| 2001 |
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| My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito Written by Amada Irma Pérez Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez |
| 2000 |
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| My Land Sings: Stories of the Rio Grande Written by Rudolfo Anaya Illustrated by Amy Córdova |
| 1999 |
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| The Three Pigs/Los Tres Cerdos: Nacho, Tito and Miguel Written and Illustrated by Bobbi Salinas |
| 1998 |
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| Tomás and the Library Lady Written by Pat Mora Illustrated by Raúl Colón |
| 1997 |
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| In My Family/En Mi Familia Written and Illustrated by Carmen Lomas Garza |
| 1996 |
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| The Farolitos of Christmas Written by Rudolfo Anaya Illustrated by Edward Gonzales |
| 1996 |
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| Chato's Kitchen Written by Gary Soto Illustrated by Susan Guevara |