The Pura Belpré Award is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

2012 Author Award Winner:

UNDER THE MESQUITE
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Throughout her high school years, as her mother battles cancer, Lupita takes on more responsibility for her house and seven younger siblings, while finding refuge in acting and writing poetry.

2012 Author Honor Books:

HURRICANE DANCERS: THE FIRST CARIBBEAN PIRATE SHIPWRECK
by Margarita Engle
Quebrado has been a slave on captain Bernadino de Talavera's pirate ship for years, but when a hurricane sinks the ship and kills most of the crew, Quebrado escapes to safety and finds acceptance and refuge in a nearby village.

MAXIMILIAN AND THE MYSTERY OF THE GUARDIAN ANGEL: A BILINGUAL LUCHA LIBRE THRILLER
by Xavier Garza
Margarito acts like any other eleven-year-old aficionado of lucha libre. He worships all the players. But in the summer just before sixth grade, he tumbles over the railing at a match in San Antonio and makes a connection to the world of Mexican wrestling that will ultimately connect him — maybe by blood! — to the greatest hero of all time: the Guardian Angel.

For more information, please visit the Pura Belpré Award website.