Americas Award · 2021

The 2021 Americas Award

Digging for Words and Land of the Cranes won the 2021 Americas Award. Browse them alongside all 3 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2021 Americas Award Winner
Digging for Words
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Digging for Words

By Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar (Illustrator)

A garbage collector transforms discarded books into a community library.

Americas Award (2021)
40 pages· 880 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,039 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: In Bogotá's La Nueva Gloria, a garbage collector named José discovers hidden treasures in trash—books. As he builds a library from these finds, young José eagerly awaits Saturdays to explore this literary paradise. What wonders will they uncover next? This tale celebrates the transformative power of books and community.
2021 Americas Award Winner
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Land of the Cranes

A young girl clings to hope and poetry in a detention camp, seeking family unity.

256 pages· 22,678 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 2,583 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Nine-year-old Betita believes she is a crane, destined to return to her ancestral land. But when her father is deported and she and her pregnant mother are detained in a camp, Betita must find strength in her poetry to endure the harsh conditions. As she navigates the cruelty of the detention center, Betita's imagination and the bonds with fellow detainees become her lifeline. Can her spirit and words keep her family from being torn apart forever? Discover the resilience of a young girl in a world that seeks to cage her dreams.
2021 Honor Books
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2020

¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat

Little Lobo embarks on a culinary adventure, exploring food trucks before a wrestling event in his vibrant town.

48 pages· 891 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 816 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Summary: Join Little Lobo as he navigates his lively border town, gathering lunch orders for wrestling star El Toro and friends. With a vibrant array of food trucks offering delights like quesadillas and Mexican-Korean tacos, this journey is a feast for the senses. As Little Lobo prepares for the big wrestling event, readers are treated to a colorful celebration of food and culture, sprinkled with Spanish vocabulary. Will he manage to satisfy everyone's cravings before the show begins? Dive into this flavorful adventure and discover the delicious surprises that await!
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2020

Furia

A young soccer star must defy family expectations to chase her dreams and navigate a complicated love.

368 pages· 74,369 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 15,602 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: In Rosario, Argentina, Camila Hassan leads a double life. At home, she's a dutiful daughter under her father's strict rule. On the soccer field, she's La Furia, a rising star. When her team qualifies for a major tournament, Camila faces a dilemma: pursue her dreams or adhere to her family's expectations. Complicating matters, her former love, now an international soccer sensation, returns. As Camila battles for her future, she must confront secrets and decide if love or ambition will guide her path. Will she break free and claim her destiny, or will her dreams remain out of reach?
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

If Dominican Were a Color

By Sili Recio, Brianna McCarthy (Illustrator)

Discover the vibrant colors and spirit of the Dominican Republic in a poetic journey.

32 pages· 245 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 310 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: Explore the vibrant hues of the Dominican Republic through a poetic journey that captures the essence of its landscapes and people. From fiery sunsets to the deep ocean's roar, each color tells a story of culture and identity. This picture book invites readers to see the world through a Dominican lens, where nature's palette is as diverse as its people. What colors define a nation, and how do they shape its soul? Dive into a celebration of color and culture that will leave you seeing the world anew.
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