Pura Belpré Award
ぷら・べるぷれしょう
U.S. literary award (medal) awarded to works that excellently depict Latinx cultural experiences in children's and YA literature.
Children's literatureIllustrationYoung Adult
- Established
- 1996
- Organizer
- Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC, a division of the American Library Association) and National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking (REFORMA)
- Category
- Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
- Selection Method
- Selection
- Target
- Professional
- Frequency
- 1 per year
- Announcement Period
- around January
- Status
- Active
Description
The Pura Belpré Award recognizes works by Latinx authors and illustrators that excellently depict Latinx cultural experiences in books for children and young adults. Established in 1996, it was initially awarded biennially but became annual from 2009. From 2021, the author category split into children's and young adult categories. Organized by ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children of the American Library Association) and REFORMA. Eligibility and submission requirements follow ALSC's official guidelines.
Prize
- Main Prize
- Belpré Medal (Medal Presentation)
- Recognition and promotion by ALSC/REFORMA
- Increased recognition at ALA-related events
- Attention and recommendation from librarians and educators
Selection
Selection Process
| Stage | Judges | Pass Rate | Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application and Eligibility Review | Selection committee appointed by ALSC/REFORMA (librarians, experts, etc.) | Varies by year. Very low (awards are only a few percent of candidate works) | Announced at ALA's Youth Media Awards, etc. (usually January) |
| Reading and Review by Committee (Nominee Selection) | Selection committee creates and discusses nominee list | Low as it narrows further from nominees (varies annually) | Nominees and honors internally agreed upon before final decision |
| Final Selection and Voting (Medal and Honor Decisions) | Final vote by the selection committee | One winner per category (or none if no suitable work) | Winning work officially announced with medal winner and Honors as needed |
Application and Eligibility Review
Judges
Selection committee appointed by ALSC/REFORMA (librarians, experts, etc.)
Pass Rate
Varies by year. Very low (awards are only a few percent of candidate works)
Announcement
Announced at ALA's Youth Media Awards, etc. (usually January)
Reading and Review by Committee (Nominee Selection)
Judges
Selection committee creates and discusses nominee list
Pass Rate
Low as it narrows further from nominees (varies annually)
Announcement
Nominees and honors internally agreed upon before final decision
Final Selection and Voting (Medal and Honor Decisions)
Judges
Final vote by the selection committee
Pass Rate
One winner per category (or none if no suitable work)
Announcement
Winning work officially announced with medal winner and Honors as needed
Criteria
- Accurately and richly depicts Latinx cultural experiences
- Appropriateness for children or young adults (expressions suited to target age)
- Published in the United States (place of publication is the US)
- Author or illustrator resides in the US or is a US citizen
- Published in English, Spanish, or both languages
- Works evaluated individually; past achievements or awards not primary criteria
Application Tips
Dos
- ALSCの公式募集要項をよく読み、提出方法・締切を厳守する
- 作品が米国で正式に出版されていることを確認する（出版社情報を整備）
- ラテン系文化の描写は正確さと深みを持って表現することに注力する
- バイリンガル作品の場合、両言語の質を確認する
- 出版社や広報と連携して、審査用の見本や資料を適切に用意する
Don''ts
- 米国外でのみ出版された作品を提出しない
- 文化的ステレオタイプに頼った表現をしない
- 提出要領に従わない（体裁や提出形式を無視する）
- 作品の価値を過去の受賞歴や作家の著名さだけで誇張して伝えない
From Judges
- 審査は個々の作品単体で行います。過去の業績で評価されるわけではありません。
- バイリンガル書籍は言語表現の質も重要な評価項目です。
- イラスト作品は物語との一貫性、文化的文脈の表現も含めて評価します。
Related Awards
- Newbery Medal
- Caldecott Medal
- Coretta Scott King Award
- Mildred L. Batchelder Award
- Sibert Medal
- ALA Youth Media Awards (other ALA awards)