Latinxs in Kid Lit January 2023 Newsletter

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In our January 2023 newsletter, we have a book review by Cris Rhodes of Jonny Garza Villa’s award-winning young adult novel, FIFTEEN HUNDRED MILES TO THE SUN. We also have a “We Read Banned Books” segment by Dr. Sonia Rodriguez and Dora M. Guzmán on GABI, A GIRL IN PIECES, and a Q&A with author Alexandra Alessandri, whose debut middle grade novel, THE ENCHANTED LIFE OF VALENTINA MEJÍA, releases in February.

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Click here to access the newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/5580ae1d7f62/latinxsinkidlitjanuary2023

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ICYMI: The Latinxs in Kid Lit September 2022 Newsletter

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In our September 2022 newsletter, we have an article by Alejandra Domenzain titled “What Happens If You Don’t Teach Social Justice Books.” Here’s an excerpt:

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Alejandra Domenzain

At a time when book bans target marginalized voices, it’s more important than ever to ask ourselves, Why does access to these books matter? I want to argue that the stakes are high not just for expanding “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) in children’s books, but that we need to go even further to demand “social justice books” in our schools and libraries. In a landscape where so many groups are denied representation, it seems revolutionary to simply give voice to those who are silenced, but we can’t stop there.

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In the newsletter, we also have a list of September 2022 Latinx releases and a Q&A with author-illustrator Ana Aranda about her new book, Our Day of the Dead Celebration.

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Click here to access it: https://mailchi.mp/e94c67367922/latinxsinkidlit0722-7279729

To get future newsletters in your inbox, you will need to subscribe.

Click here: http://eepurl.com/hzptzX

The Latinx KidLit Book Festival’s 2022 Schedule

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The Latinx KidLit Book Festival kicks off its 2022 event this Thursday (see below). The festival then has events–all available to be streamed online–throughout National Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.

From their website:

The Latinx KidLit Book Festival will be streamed live on the festival’s YouTube channel, or YouTube links can also be found on each individual event below. All posted times are in EDT!

Sessions can be safely streamed into the classroom and shared with students using an educator’s account. Classrooms can engage with festival authors and illustrators using the live-chat option! All video content will be recorded and available after the festival. Sign up for our newsletter to receive links to all the panels directly to your inbox!

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These panels are free! What a great opportunity to connect students with Latinx authors and their work! We are supporting the festival and will remind people of the schedule, but we encourage you to go to their website at www.latinxkidlitbookfestival.com for all the information you need! Below are the scheduled events:

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FOR WRITERS: MULTICULTURAL PUBLISHING BOOTCAMP, HOW TO ENRICH STORIES WITH MULTICULTURAL ELEMENTS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FOR EDUCATORS: REDEFINING THE WRITING WORKSHOP

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FOR WRITERS: DEBUT AUTHORS, EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FOR EDUCATORS: DESIGNING A UNIT ON LANGUAGE, IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY — AN INTENSIVE WORKSHOP

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

MORNING ANNOUCEMENTS: GIVEAWAYS AND OUR NEW SCHOOL VISITS FUND!

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10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

WE ARE ALL CUENTISTAS: THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

BEYOND THE SORTING HAT: CELEBRATING LATINX FANTASY

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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

WE’LL BE BRIEF: WRITING SHORT STORIES

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12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

ARCOÍRIS: QUEER LATINX STORYTELLING

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12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

ILLUSTRATOR DRAW OFF: CHARACTERS IN ACTION!

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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

HIJAS MÁS CHINGONAS: STORIES OF YOUNG WOMEN DOING POWERFUL THINGS

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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

CRAFT WORKSHOP: BASED ON A TRUE STORY

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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

STORYTIME FOR ALL AGES

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2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

HIGH SCHOOL, BOY BANDS, AND INSTAGRAM: WRITING CONTEMPORARY STORIES

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2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

EN ESPAÑOL ILLUSTRATOR DRAW OFF: LET’S EAT: PUPUSAS, TACOS AND FLAN FOR ALL!

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2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

A MIDDLE-EARTH OF OUR OWN MAKING: LATIN AMERICAN INSPIRATION IN FANTASY

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3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

MEG MEDINA PLAYS IT COOL

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

9:40 AM – 10:00 AM

MORNING ANNOUCEMENTS WITH SPECIAL GUEST MARIA HINOJOSA

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10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

PURA AMOR: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF WORDS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

ARTES GRÁFICAS: CREATING LATINX HEROES IN GRAPHIC NOVELS AND COMIC BOOKS

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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

CRAFT WORKSHOP: DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM YOUR FAVORITES!

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12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

ILLUSTRATOR DRAW OFF EN ESPAÑOL: FANTASMAS, CHUPACABRAS Y LA LLORONA!

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12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF: WRITING OUR LIVES INTO THE STORIES WE TELL

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12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

NUESTRO MUNDO: KIDS NAVIGATING THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

ILLUSTRATOR DRAW OFF: THE LUNGS OF OUR PLANET, THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

STORYTELLING IN STYLE: WRITING NOVELS-IN-VERSE

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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

RESISTENCIA VIVA: WRITING SOCIAL JUSTICE KIDLIT

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2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

CELEBRATING THE RICHNESS OF LATINX STORIES: A KOKILA SHOWCASE

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3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

SOY YO: IDENTITY, ANCESTRY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

Latinxs In Kid Lit August 2022 Newsletter

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In our August 2022 newsletter, we have an article from Dr. Emily Midkiff titled: Send Latinx Kids to the Stars! A Call for More Latin@Futurism in Children’s Lit. Here’s an excerpt, plus the cover of Dr. Midkiff’s book, Equipping Space Cadets:

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When it comes to science fiction for young children, who is represented becomes all the more significant. Children are always looking for Rudine Simms Bishop’s “mirrors” and “windows,” and young readers are likely to interpret representation in the genre as a message about who is invited to read the genre and who is invited to imagine the future. Plus, children internalize what kinds of people are visible in STEM careers as indicators of whether those careers are viable options for them.

Yet there aren’t many science fiction books for the youngest readers to begin with, and even fewer of them have Latinx characters.

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In the newsletter, we also have a list of August 2022 Latinx releases, and a Q&A with Julian R. Vaca, debut author of The Memory Index

Julian R. Vaca is a first generation Mexican American, and he’s been a creative writer for over a decade. He’s a staff writer on PBS’s “Reconnecting Roots,” a nationally broadcast show that drew in millions of viewers over its first two seasons. The Memory Index is his debut young adult novel. Connect with him at JulianRayVaca.com

Click here to access it: https://mailchi.mp/edb35e9da3a9/latinxsinkidlit0722-7252385

To get future newsletters in your inbox, you will need to subscribe.

Click here: http://eepurl.com/hzptzX

The 24th International Latino Book Awards Winners!

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From the organization’s press release:

The 24th International Latino Book Awards Ceremony showcased the flourishing talent of the fastest-growing group in the U.S., with four ceremonies held on August 19th and 20th at Los Angeles City College. These Awards are by far the largest Latino cultural distinction in the country, honoring 249 winners in 105 categories this year. The grand total of authors and publishers honored over the last two decades now stands at 3,719, proof that books by and about Latinos are in high demand in both English and Spanish. Gold, Silver, and Bronze-place winners in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s books, translation, and many more were announced over the two-day event.

Here are the winners–gold, silver, and bronze medals–in the children’s books categories. Click on the book covers for more information:

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The Alma Flor Ada Best Latino Focused Children’s Picture Book Award – English

GOLD MEDAL Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua, Gloria Amescua, Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

SILVER MEDAL Tía Fortuna’s New Home, Ruth Behar, Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth

BRONZE MEDAL Bisa’s Carnaval, Joana Pastro, Illustrated by Carolina Coroa

The Alma Flor Ada Best Latino Focused Children’s Picture Book Award – Spanish

GOLD MEDAL ¡Corre, pequeño Chaski! Una aventura en el camino Inka, Mariana Llanos, Illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson

SILVER MEDAL Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales

Best Children’s Fiction Picture Book – Bilingual

GOLD MEDAL Let’s Be Friends / Seamos Amigos, René Colato Laínez; Illustrated by Nomar Perez

SILVER MEDAL Isabel and Her Colores Go to School, Alexandra Alessandri, Illustrated by Courtney Dawson

Best Children’s Fiction Picture Book – English

GOLD MEDAL Abuelita and Me, Leonarda Carranza, illustrated by Rafael Mayani

SILVER MEDAL Tía Fortuna’s New Home, Ruth Behar, Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth

BRONZE MEDAL May Your Life Be Deliciosa, Michael Genhart, Illustrated by Loris Lora

Mejor libro ilustrado de ficción para niños

GOLD MEDAL Pitu le Baila al Mar, Gama Valle; Illustrated by Yamel Figueroa

SILVER MEDAL La Jirafa que no Cabía en su Cuento, Haydée Zayas Ramos

BRONZE MEDAL El monstruo más feo del mundo, Luis Amavisca, Illustrated by Erica Salcedo

Best Children’s Nonfiction Picture Book – English

GOLD MEDAL One Whole Me, Dia Mixon, Illustrated by Natalia Jiménez Osorio

SILVER MEDAL In the Spirit of a Dream: 13 Stories of American Immigrants of Color, Aida Salazar, Illustrated by Alina Chau

BRONZE MEDAL Alphabet & Affirmations with The Black Unicorn, Sandra Elaine Scott

Best Children’s Nonfiction Picture Book – Spanish or Bilingual

GOLD MEDAL Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales

Best Educational Children’s Picture Book – Bilingual

GOLD MEDAL Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales

SILVER MEDAL Popol Vuh Stories for Children, Denis O’Leary

BRONZE MEDAL Lala and the Pond by the Rock / Lala y el Charco de la Piedra, Susana Illera Martínez

Best Educational Children’s Picture Book – English

GOLD MEDAL Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua, Gloria Amescua, Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

SILVER MEDAL We Move Together, Kelly Fritsch, Anne McGuire, Illustrated by Eduardo Trejos

Best Educational Children’s Picture Book – Spanish

GOLD MEDAL Morderse las uñas, Paula Merlán, Illustrated by Brenda Figueroa

Most Inspirational Children’s Picture Book – Bilingual

GOLD MEDAL Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Libraries Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories, Annete Bay Pimentel, Illustrated by Magaly Morales

SILVER MEDAL The Last Butter!y / La última mariposa, Regina Moya & Carmen Tafolla

Most Inspirational Children’s Picture Book – English

GOLD MEDAL Courageous Camila: A story about finding your inner warrior, Naibe Reynoso & Giselle Carrillo; Illustrated by María Tuti

SILVER MEDAL The Voices of the Trees, Elisa Guerra y Fernando Reimers; Illustrated by Ana RoGu

BRONZE MEDAL Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua, Gloria Amescua, Illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Most Inspirational Children’s Picture Book – Spanish

GOLD MEDAL Tienes un color especial, Lorena Sierco Espino; Mr. Momo, Lantia Publishing Group

SILVER MEDAL Memoria de un abedul, Daniel Cañas, Illustrated by Blanca Millán

BRONZE MEDAL Peque y yo, Alicia Acosta, Illustrated by Mercé Galí

Best Learn to Read Book

GOLD MEDAL The Awesome Reading Adventures of Super Sammy and Marvelous Megan, Vanessa Caraveo

Best Youth Latino Focused Chapter Book

GOLD MEDAL Falling Short, Ernesto Cisneros

SILVER MEDAL Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene, Emma Otheguy

Best Youth Chapter Fiction Book

GOLD MEDAL Falling Short, Ernesto Cisneros

SILVER MEDAL Catalina Incognito, Jennifer Torres

BRONZE MEDAL Julia y el mar, Olvido Guzman Pons

Most Inspirational Youth Chapter Book

GOLD MEDAL Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna, Alda P. Dobbs

SILVER MEDAL Efren Divided, Ernesto Cisneros

SILVER MEDAL Raulito: The First Latino Governor of Arizona, Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford

Best Young Adult Latino Focused Book

GOLD MEDAL On the Hook, Francisco X. Stork

SILVER MEDAL Lifetime Passes, Terry Blas, Illustrated by Claudia Aguirre

Best Young Adult Fiction Book

GOLD MEDAL The Immortal Boy / El Inmortal, Francisco Montaña Ibáñez

SILVER MEDAL Encarnación Castro’s Journey in the Anza Expedition
1775-1776, Linda Castro Martinez

SILVER MEDAL Three, Brenda Nicole Peña

BRONZE MEDAL Fat Angie: Homecoming, e.E. Charlton Trujillo

Best Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure – English

GOLD MEDAL The Grimrose Girls, Laura Pohl

SILVER MEDAL The Ghost Tracks, Celso Hurtado

Best Young Adult Fantasy & Adventure – Spanish

GOLD MEDAL El Último Dragón: Las espadas del legado, José del Real Antiquera

SILVER MEDAL Catarina Freytas y el anillo perdido, Raymond Vollmond

BRONZE MEDAL El Mundo del Olvido, Cristian Otárola Jiménez

Best Young Adult Romance Book

GOLD MEDAL Monstrua, NLa Contreras

SILVER MEDAL La descendiente, Marie D.

Best Educational Young Adult Book

GOLD MEDAL No te creas todo lo que leas, Didi Whitefalcon, Illustrated by Verónica Rodríguez
SILVER MEDAL Voices of Diversity, Vanessa Caraveo

Most Inspirational Young Adult Book

GOLD MEDAL Harvesting Dreams, Erica Alfaro; Barker & Jules

SILVER MEDAL Your Heart, My Sky, Margarita Engle; Simon & Schuster

Latinx Picture Book Bundle Giveaway

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It’s been a while since we’ve done a giveaway, so we’re happy to gift these picture books to one lucky winner. Click on the book covers for more information.

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Click on this Rafflecopter link to enter. You can enter once each day until the giveaway ends next Saturday, July 30: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e39d5a2722/?

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