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Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award  
Paul Rohrbaugh
CRC Librarian
Main Floor, Beeghly Hall
(330) 941-3217, (330) 941-5348

Awards Home Page
Penguin Story Teller's Club
Wilcox CRC
Overview

Newbery Medal Criteria
The Tomás Rivera Award is given annually to the author/illustrator of “the most distinguished book for children and young adults that authentically reflects the lives and experiences of Mexican Americans in the United States.” The book can be fiction or nonfiction. Children nominate books which are then narrowed by a regional committee. A national committee picks the winners.

History
Named after educator and university administrator, Tomás Rivera, who “traveled extensively, reading and promoting Mexican American Literature throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe.” The Award was established in 1995 by the Texas State University of San Marcos.

 

2005 Tomás Rivera Award

Texas-State University-San Marcos has not yet announced the winner of the 2005 Award.
(Although it is 2006, Texas-State University-San Marcos considers it a 2005 award, because the award will go to a book published in 2005.)

 

2004 Tomás Rivera Award


2004 Award Winner

  • Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Becoming Naomi León. New York : Apple Signature, 2004.

    When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father.



*Book description comes from OhioLINK summary.

 

Tomás Rivera Award
For more information regarding the award and for a list of past winners from the time the first award was given in 1995.