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2024 Pura Belpré Book Donation Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pura Belpré Book Grant Committee
Submissions now open for Pura Belpré Book Donation Grant
REFORMA de Florida announces the creation of a book donation grant of Latinx children’s and YA books to a Florida library or organization serving Latinx youth that demonstrates how their community might benefit from receiving the books. The grant aims to bring books created by Latinx authors and illustrators portraying the Latino cultural experience into the lives of children. You do not have to be a member of REFORMA de Florida to apply.
Your application should explain how your Florida community will benefit from receiving the books, and include your name, email address, phone number, type of library, name of your library, your status as a REFORMA de Florida member (non-members are welcome to apply), and anything else you’d like the committee to know.
To apply by the August 15th deadline, send proposals to: redeflpurabelprebookgrant@gmail.com
About the REFORMA de Florida Book Donation Grant
Applicants submit proposals to qualify to win a collection of 100-200 books published in 2023, among titles submitted to the 2024 Pura Belpré Award Selection Committee. Applicants may include public libraries, school libraries, and/or other institutions providing literacy-based family programs to Latino communities in Florida.
The deadline for submitting applications is August 15, 2024.
Questions regarding the application process may be addressed to committee members Isabel Castro, Lucia M. Gonzalez or Alma Ramos-McDermott at redeflpurabelprebookgrant@gmail.com
About REFORMA de Florida
REFORMA de Florida is a chapter of REFORMA which actively seeks to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share our goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos. REFORMA is an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA).
To learn more about REFORMA de Florida visit https://reformadeflorida.org/
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“Beasts of Carnaval” Rosália Rodrigo
Mira (Harlequin Enterprises) HarperCollins. To be published July 29, 2025.
Recommended for Adults.
Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Adult
Rating: 5 stars
Sofía missed her twin brother Sol. Born slaves, they were sold away from their loving mother when they were 5 years old to the Hacienda Esperanza in Etérea owned by rich Hisperians. Over 300 years ago Hisperians conquered Etérea and its native people, the Taike’ri. Though Hisperians raped, sold, and murdered them by the hundreds of thousands in their lust for gold and riches the Taike’ri were almost decimated, but their descendants lived on as mestizos and slaves. Sol and Sofía knew some of their ancestral history, but most had been obscured through years of Hisperian dominance.
Many years passed while they labored under their bonds. Five years earlier Sol and his master left to attend el Carnaval de Bestias on a nearby island but never returned. Sofía spent years collecting every scrap of information on the Carnaval that she could find, seeking information on her brother. Though she had been freed at age 14 it took her many more years to gather the courage to leave Adelina, her young mistress and best friend, to go find her brother.
She thought she’d succeeded in slipping away, but Adelina found out and they went together. When they arrived on the island, it was unlike anything Sofía had ever experienced. Everything was beautiful. The hotel was detailed and opulent, and every desire was met. Hotel workers wore scary-looking masks, portraying themselves as vejigantes. Guests also wore masks, spending their days partying, drinking, carousing, and dancing. Everyone slept and rose at the same time, ate sumptuously decadent food, and were entertained with nightly carnival-like shows. Everything followed the same incredible pattern every day, so the girls soon forgot why they’d come to the island. They were having too much fun.
Things went on this way for a long time, until Sofía began to remember why they were there. Though she kept forgetting, she also began having strange dreams and felt like she was being watched. Adelina was oblivious, but Sofía was determined to find out why she kept forgetting and discover what was hiding under the Carnaval’s perfect surface. What she found out would shake the foundations of her life and cause her to question everything she’d ever known to be true.
As I read, my mind kept making comparisons between the Taíno and the Taike’ri. Descendants of the Taíno of Puerto Rico, like me, grew up thinking our ancestors were destroyed by Columbus and his fellow conquistadores/torturers. We are still here! There is much to learn about the Taíno, so I enjoy books like this which shed more light on their life before Columbus “discovered” them.
Recommended for Adults.
I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.
Adult, adventure, Books, brothers and sisters, Culture, fantasy, fathers and daughters, Hispanic, historical fiction, history, identity, indigenous, Latino, love, magic, memories, missing persons, mothers and daughters, non-traditional families, prejudice, Puerto Rico, race relations, racial tension, religion, religious belief, revenge, review, rich people, slavery, Spanish, teamwork -
“The reel wish” Yamile Saied Méndez
Tu Books (Lee & Low Books Inc.) 2025.
Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Elementary/Middle School
Rating: 5 stars
Ever since they were little girls Florencia and her best friend Selena have been going to ballet school and performing in productions. Now that they’re eleven they are allowed to try out for the role of Clara in the studio’s production of “The Nutcracker.” One by one the dancers fail to capture their teacher’s attention, but Florencia’s audition is perfect, and she wins the role. Unable to hide her jealousy, Selena turns her back on her best friend and ices her out of her life. Other dancers accuse the teacher of political correctness as being the only reason Florencia got the role. Things get worse after Florencia has a panic attack on opening night, Selena steps into her role, and she’s thrown out of ballet school for embarrassing the teacher.
Since ballet and Selena have been part of her life for so many years, Florencia doesn’t know how to cope. Her panic attacks worsen but, with the help of her psychologist, medication, two fringe students she met at school, and Irish dancing, Florencia starts to make a new life for herself. However, Selena is not content with being queen at her ballet school as she and her new friends want to ruin Florencia’s life. Though Florencia has always been one to internalize her feelings, she will have to learn to stand up for herself.
Yamile has created a believable character in Florencia, as the pitfalls of losing one’s best friend, trying to create a new social life when one’s old life is in shambles, and bullying are often real parts of 6th grade.
Recommended for ages 10-14.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.
Argentina, ballet, Books, brothers and sisters, bullies, bullying, Children's books, competition, cyberbullying, dancing, doctors, emotional problems, fathers and daughters, friendship, Hispanic, identity, Latino, Latinx children, memories, middle school, mothers and daughters, prejudice, race relations, racial tension, review, schools, social media, social situations, Spanish, teachers, teamwork, Utah -
“Bobbito’s book of b-ball bong bong!: A memoir of sports, style, and soul” Bobbito García
Edge of Sports (Akashic Books.) 216 p. To be published July 1, 2025.
Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: High School/Adult
Rating: 5 stars
Bobbito grew up on 97th Street in New York City and, like everyone else in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, grew up playing basketball. Pick-up games in NYC were rough, and he had to be tough if he wanted to play. He had to learn to hold his own and to have style while doing it. Bobbito learned the game by playing against and watching future and current NBA and NCAA players on the courts, received tips from local coaches and friends, and practiced hard every single day. His life revolved around basketball. Though he wasn’t as good as some of the greats that played in Harlem and nearby courts back in the day, Bobbito could hold his own and developed a few tricks that wowed the crowd.
Eventually, his knowledge and love for the game took Bobbito around the world as he became a coach, sports interviewer, writer, producer, hip hop host, and more. However, nothing could ever make him happier than the feel of a basketball in his hands and the swish of the net as his jump shot hit its mark.
In his own words Bobbito describes the good and bad of growing up in NYC, describing in detail how basketball was a unifying sport and gave purpose to his life. Despite often being called a white boy because of his light skin, Bobbito was proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and his skills on the court silenced naysayers.
Teens and adults interested in the game of basketball, its famous greats, and more, will be drawn into Bobbito’s story through his humor, first-person narrative, no-holds-barred NYC street lingo, and large, colorful photographs that accompany the text. It would make a great book club read for reluctant teen readers especially if, after every chapter, they were given the chance to practice what they learned on the courts.
Recommended for ages 16 and older.
Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.
basketball, Books, Culture, families, fathers and sons, friendship, Hispanic, identity, Latino, memoir, memories, New York City, non-traditional families, nonfiction, prejudice, Puerto Rican, Puerto Rico, race relations, racial tension, reluctant readers, review, schools, social situations, Spanish, sports, teachers, Young Adult -
“A sky that sings” Anita Sanchez & George Steele; ill. by Emily Mendoza
Lee & Low Books. 2025.
Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Elementary school
Rating: 5 stars
Though Mia is blind, her teacher taught her to “see” birds through listening to their songs and calls. One sunny, spring afternoon she and her aunt set off for the park where Mia identifies multiple types of birds through their songs. She calls herself a bird-listener, instead of a birdwatcher, and uses her listening skills to teach her aunt how to identify the many different birds they hear. As they walk, Mia eagerly anticipates hearing her favorite bird, and is thrilled when she finally gets to hear it. Its voice makes her feel as if she’s flying into a singing sky with it.
As Mia and her aunt lead readers along a paved path through the woods, their journey is shown through full-page, colorful illustrations. The text is filled with descriptions readers can hear and decipher such as the “klunk, thunk” of closing car doors or the sound of a crunchy pathway. Idioms like “notes come pouring out of the sky like raindrops” or “songs weave together like tangled threads” keep Mia’s story flowing. Young readers will not only learn the sounds of different birds but will enjoy interpreting the many uses of figurative language in phrases such as “a whisper of wings,” and “wind…flows over me like water, and “notes come pouring out of the sky like raindrops.” The back matter includes sources where readers could go to learn more about birds.
Highly recommended for ages 6-10.
Note: This review was originally published on You decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott
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¡Tocamos! Cynthia Weill; Photographed by Otto Piron; Wooden sculptures by Avelino Pérez
Cinco Puntos Press (Lee & Low Books Inc.) 2025.
Reviewed by: Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Elementary school
Rating: 5 stars
Through photography, bilingual text, and beautifully hand carved, painted, wooden birds, readers are introduced to musical instruments from Mexico. The end notes state the instruments represent those played by musicians from orchestras that perform in the town square of Oaxaca, Mexico on festival days and Sundays.
Well-known instruments such as guitars and maracas are featured against the lesser-known harp and double-bass on multi-colored pages framed with geometric designs. The extremely detailed, brilliantly colored birds and instruments guide the simple, bilingual narrative.
Recommended for ages 3-7.
Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.
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2025 Board of Directors Election Results
The Nominating Committee of REFORMA de Florida announce that Alma Ramos-McDermott has been elected as Vice-President/President-Elect of the Board of Directors.
María de Lurdy (Mari) Martinez Serrano has been elected as Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Congratulations to our newest members of the REFORMA de Florida Board of Directors. They will take office at the end of June 2025.
More details are in our 2025 Elections Press Release.
REFORMA de Florida 