Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature

In 2012, Tulane’s Stone Center for Latin American Studies took over the coordination of the national Latin American children’s literature award, the Américas Award sponsored by the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs in partnership with Vanderbilt University’s Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies.

Rationale

To encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use, the national Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs offers up to two annual book awards, together with a commended list of titles.

Criteria


Up to two awards (for primary and secondary reading levels) are given in recognition of U.S. published works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. By linking the Americas, the intent is to reach beyond geographic borders, as well as multicultural-international boundaries, focusing instead upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere.

Books will be judged for: 1) distinctive literary quality; 2) cultural contextualization; 3) exceptional integration of text, illustration and design; and 4) potential for classroom use.

To learn more about the award, download the Guidelines of the Award
This award emphasizes “the potential for classroom use” and provides professional development for all educators to learn how to incorporate these books into the K-12 classroom. For more information on these events and materials provided during the events, please visit the CLASP Outreach site where you will also find standard-aligned curricula.