Rhode Island Latino Books Award

Promoting bilingual literature, illustrators and authors

In 2024, the Rhode Island Latino Books Award celebrates its ✶ Tenth Anniversary ✶

In the past ten years, we have become a model for other states as we continue to promote the love of reading among Latino young people through the celebration of Latino authors, illustrators and books that highlight Latino culture and Latin American identity.

Through this year-long celebration, RILA encourages librarians, teachers, educators and booksellers to promote books written by and for Latinos, and we encourage all Rhode Islanders to read books in both English and Spanish and written by Latino authors and illustrators.
For more information about the Rhode Island Latino Books Award and/or to participate, contact Maria Cotto, RILA's Latino Books Award Coordinator For information about Rhode Island Latino Arts, contact Marta V. Martínez, RILA'S Executive Director.
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Thank you to the Rhode Island Center for the Books for providing copies of our selected books

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Latino Books Award Committee Members 2024: Patty DeFrancesco, Maria Cotto (Chair), Alaina Moran, Gisele Esquivel, Jennifer McGrath

How do we select our books?

Rhode Island Latino Arts Executive Director and board members support the Rhode Island Latino Books Award (RILBA) Coordinator and the RILBA Committee Members, which includes Rhode Island educators, school librarians, public librarians, and paraprofessionals, who use specific selection criteria to create an annual list of nominated titles. The RILBA Committee is intentional in seeking books that affirm marginalized groups and champions stories and characters that reflect the lived experiences of Rhode Island Latino/Latina/Latinx young people, as well as the larger world. RILBA aims to provide a list of nominees that maintains diversity in race, gender, sexuality, family makeup, socioeconomic background and ability. Nominees are thoughtfully curated to allow all youth to be seen and their voices actively heard.
★ Here's how you can participate
Young Readers: Below are some titles which we would like to recommend to receive the Latino Books Award. Most of the books can be found in Spanish and English at all the libraries in and around the State of Rhode Island. If your library does not have the book on its shelves, ask your librarian to order a copy from one of the other libraries in Rhode Island. By providing books in English and Spanish on this list, our goal is to encourage parents to read to their children in their native language, so be sure to ask your mamá or papá to read with you every day!

If you have any advice for other readers, you may post comments at the bottom of the list after you've read the book.

Vote Online: We have added an option to submit your ballots and vote for your favorite book online.
Good News! Students can have access to these books online. Here's the link to the ebooks. Click here ➤

If you don't have a library card, no problem — you can obtain a free card by visiting this link ➤

Before you vote online, we recommend that you download a hard copy of the ballot (see below) to have on-hand while you read each book. Remember, deadline to vote online is Tuesday May 31, 2024. We will announce the winner the next day. Teachers: If you are using paper ballots, please submit them in person to Maria Cotto no later than May 29th so we can have time to tally them and announce the winners by the end of May.

Happy Reading!
2025 Book List
Grades K-2
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A New Kind of Wild by Zara Gonzalez Hoang

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Eunice & Kate by Mariana Llanos
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Already a Butterfly: a Meditation Story by Julia Alvarez

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Luna Yes, Luna Si by Jessica Gonzalez

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Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies by Megan and Jorge Lacera

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Rafi and Rosi Music! by Lulu Delacre
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My Shoes and I / Mis Zapatos y Yo: Crossing Three Borders by René Colato Lainez
Grades 3-5
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The Boy Who Touched the Stars / El niño que alcanzó las estrellas (Bilingual) by José M. Hernández

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Fun Fun Fun World by Yehudi Mercado (Graphic Novel)

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Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle & Rafael López

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My Year in the Middle by Lila Quintero Weaver

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The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas

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Queen of Tejano Music: Selena by Silvia López

Grades 6-8
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Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega

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Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan

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Hotel Dare by Terry Blas (Graphic Novel

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Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez

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They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poem by David Bowles

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Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

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Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

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Don't Ask Me Where I'm From by Jennifer De Leon

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Suncatchers by Jose Pimenienta

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The Truth Is... by Nonieqa Ramos

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The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves

Promoting bilingual literature, illustrators and authors

Rhode Island Latino Books Award

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