The Latino Books Award values transparency, care, and integrity in how books are selected. Each year, authors, illustrators, publishers, educators, and readers ask thoughtful questions about the process—and we welcome that curiosity.

Our goal is to be clear about how books are reviewed, why certain titles are selected, and how the process continues to evolve as new stories are published and shared.

What makes the Latino Books Award unique is that young readers are at the center of the process.

While the Review Committee curates a thoughtful and diverse list of nominated titles, the final award is determined by students across Rhode Island who read, discuss, and vote for the book that resonates most with them.

When a book is selected as a favorite by young readers, authors and illustrators often celebrate widely—sharing the recognition across classrooms, communities, and social media. This shared joy and visibility are a meaningful part of what makes the award special.

Books are reviewed by the Latino Books Award Review Committee, a group of educators, librarians, readers, and community members who bring a range of lived experiences and perspectives to the process.

Committee members read and discuss nominated titles using shared criteria to ensure a thoughtful, consistent, and inclusive review process. The committee works collaboratively to select at least five titles per grade level, with no more than seven titles for picture books, ensuring balance across age groups and genres.

Books for each award cycle are reviewed September through May of the preceding year. New titles may be added to the review list through May, allowing the committee to stay connected to recent and emerging work.

The final list of nominated titles is released in early June.

Student voting takes place the following year, beginning in April and closing at the end of May.

The Review Committee considers books that:

• Are written and/or illustrated by Latino, Latina, or Latinx creators
• Reflect authentic Latino and Latin American experiences
• Offer strong storytelling, character development, and artistic quality

The committee also intentionally seeks diversity across:

• Race and ethnicity
• Gender identity and expression
• Sexuality
• Family structure
• Socioeconomic background
• Ability and lived experience

In addition, titles must:

• Be developmentally appropriate for the intended grade level (Kindergarten–12)
• Invite connection, reflection, curiosity, or conversation among young readers

The committee intentionally seeks a balanced and varied list, recognizing that no single book can represent the full diversity of Latino experiences.

To ensure the award highlights current and relevant literature, only books published within the past two years are eligible for nomination.

For example:
Books published May 2025 – May 2027 are eligible for the 2028 award cycle.

Additional eligibility guidelines include:

• Fiction and non-fiction titles are eligible
• Books in English and bilingual books (English/Spanish) may be nominated
• Books available only in Spanish are not eligible
• Only one title per author may be nominated per year
• The winning author is not eligible for nomination the following year
• Authors nominated in a previous year may be nominated again if they were not the prior year’s winner
• Authors must currently be living in or residents of the United States
• Books by a Latino author and a non-Latino co-author are eligible, provided both authors reside in the United States
• Holiday-themed books (e.g., Christmas, Halloween) are not eligible
• Titles previously selected for Rhode Island Chibren’s Book Award, Rhode Island Middle-School Book Award, or Rhode Island Teen Book Award may be nominated, but no more than two titles may appear on the list

While we value classic and award-winning titles, books published outside the eligibility window cannot be considered.

We are honored that authors and publishers reach out to learn more about the Latino Books Award and how books are selected. That interest speaks to the care and credibility of the program.

If a title is not selected in a given year, it does not reflect a lack of quality or value. The review process is shaped by many factors, including eligibility requirements, balance across genres and age ranges, publication timing, and the overall composition of the list.

• We encourage authors and publishers to:
• Review the selection criteria carefully
• Stay connected with the Latino Books Award
• Consider submitting future titles within the eligibility window

Many books that are not selected one year may be strong candidates in future cycles.

A Living Process

The Latino Books Award is now in its 11th year, and the selection process continues to evolve through conversation, reflection, and community input. Our commitment remains the same: to elevate stories that matter and to honor the voices of young readers.

Questions about the selection process are always welcome. Write to: marta@rilatinoarts.org