Latino Books Award Committee Members 2026: Patty DeFrancesco, Kaia Heimer-Bumstead, Maria Cotto (Chair), Julissa Magnone, Gisele Esquivel. Not Shown: Alaina Carter
How do we select our books?
RILA Executive Director and board members support the Rhode Island Latino Books Award Coordinator and the Latino Books 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 Latino Books 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. Latino Books 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.
Grades 3-5
Best Believe and Legendarios are available both in English & Spanish
