-
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/
-
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.
-
FREE author breakfast at the 2025 FLA Conference
The 2025 FLA Conference is coming!
Join Spanish Publishers and REFORMA de Florida for a FREE breakfast with renowned author Julio Bevione.7-8 a.m. on Thursday, May 15 -
“A daughters place” Martha Bátiz
House of Anansi Press, Inc. To be published May 20, 2025.
Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Adult
Rating 5 stars
“Don Quixote,” published in 1605, was translated into many languages and became well-known around the world. Its author, Miguel de Cervantes, lived with his rich wife in Spain but, away from her, lived a life of semi-poverty. Unable to collect money on his masterpiece after its first printing, he was constantly in debt as he sought sponsors for what he wanted the public to see in his writings. “A daughter’s place” tells of de Cervantes’ struggles as he sought to keep his unsuspecting wife away from the life he led with his sisters, niece, and illegitimate daughter in another city.
Fifteen-year-old Isabel lived in poverty with her grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousins until she was told of her status and brought to her Aunt Magdalena’s home in 1599. There, though she looked exactly like Miguel, she was told to act as a maid to keep neighbors from being suspicious. At his request she was registered as Isabel de Saavedra, his nom de plume, because he didn’t want his wife to know of his infidelity. Magdalena was given legal guardianship and, though treated as family and schooled in reading, sewing, and deportment by both of her aunts and her cousin Constanza, Isabel felt as if she didn’t belong to anyone.
Through Isabel and Constanza’s alternating voices, the highs and lows of the de Cervantes household over the years are detailed along with difficulties females faced in a male-dominated world. Though each of the them were bound by societal ties, they found their voices to rebel in uniquely different ways. “A daughter’s place” is their story, as well as Miguel’s.
In my college freshman English comp. class, my fellow Hispanics and I cringed when our professor mispronounced the name “Don Quicksot.” Though we didn’t know anything about him, we recoiled at hearing what should have been pronounced “Keyhote.” “A daughter’s place” gives background information on how that famous knight came to be, as well as insight into the Spanish empire of Miguel de Cervantes’ time and place. Readers will gain historical knowledge of old Spain as well as insight into how women from his household bent rules to live the life they chose, rather than one chosen by men.
Recommended for Adults.
Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott
-
“Twin flames” Olivia Abtahi
Tu Books (Lee & Low). 2024
Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: High School
Rating 5 stars
Eighteen-year-old twins Bianca and Leila didn’t like each other very much. Though sisters, raised by Argentinian/Iranian parents, they were complete opposites. Leila didn’t care about her heritage, dressed too girly, liked to sew, cook, and garden. She had plans to marry her high school sweetheart, have his children, and never leave their little town of Ayers, Virginia. Bianca was rough and tumble goth, spoke Persian and Spanish, loved learning about their family’s heritage, and couldn’t wait to see Ayers disappear in her rear-view mirror after graduation. It had been years since they’d spoken a civil word to each other, as each were biding their time until they could finally go their separate ways.
Everything changed the day they turned eighteen years old. After strange fires and rumors of fiery demons circulated, they found out evil djinn were loose in Ayers. Their prince, Cyrus, possessed Leila because she didn’t wear an iron ring their father had gifted them for protection as she didn’t like anything Iranian. Years ago djinn had granted a favor to a family member who had used them as collateral, and had come to collect the twins as payment. They would be a bridge that would allow these demons to possess humans and conquer the world.
Faced with the possibility of losing their souls, and Ayers to djinn, the twins forgot their animosity and joined forces. With thousands of djinns at Cyrus’ command, how were a pair of Iranian/Argentinian teens equipped to fight for their lives and for everyone in their town? It would take more than they could offer if they were going to conquer the forces of evil.
I was transported once I started reading and finished in one sitting. Fantasy, adventure, jealousy, evil, greed, anger, love, hope, friendship, and sisterly love all combined as I was transported into Bianca and Leila’s desperate fight for their souls and those they loved.
Highly recommended for ages 14 and over.
Note: This review was originally published on You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott
-
“My name is Emila del Valle” Isabel Allende Translated from the Spanish by Frances Riddle
Ballantine Books (Random House). To be published May 6, 2025.
Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Adult
Rating: 5 stars
Emilia was born in 1866 to a bitter woman who, when she was a novice nun, got pregnant. Unable to continue living with the other nuns, she married an older man who had worked with her when she was a novice and loved her. As Emilia grew, she was inundated with stories of her rich and cowardly father who refused to acknowledge his daughter and the inheritance she was owed from his rich coffers.
Emilia loved her stepfather, who taught her everything he knew and instilled in her that she could be anything she wanted to be. As a female she was expected to follow the pre-ordained path of marriage, or specific feminine vocations. However, Emilia had no desire to be a wife, nurse, or teacher. Her passion was writing so, under a male pseudonym, she began writing a series of successful dime store crime novels.
At age twenty-two Emilia became a crime reporter at The Daily Examiner in San Francisco, paired with a male reporter who took her under his wing. Eventually they travelled to Chile to report on its civil war, as Emilia convinced the editor to also let her go because her father was Chilean, and she spoke Spanish.
As Emilia learned more about Chile, its beauty, and its warring factions, she began feeling a love and connection to the country. However, separated from the man she loved, and finding herself on the wrong side of the winning army, Emilia soon found out Chile’s beauty didn’t extend to the black hearts of her countrymen.
In her own words, Emilia explains why she was not the typical female of her time and place. Her rich descriptions and life experiences will keep readers on the edges of their seats until its final, satisfying conclusion.
Highly recommended for Adults.
Note: This review was originally published in: You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott
-
2025 Pura Belpré Donation Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: REFORMA de Florida 2025 Pura Belpré Book Grant Committee
Submissions now open for REFORMA de Florida 2025 Pura Belpré Book Donation Grant
REFORMA de Florida announces its 2025 Book Donation Grant of Latinx children’s and YA books to a Florida library or organization serving Latinx youth. The grant consists of a donation of a collection of 150-200 children and YA books published in 2024, created by Latinx authors and illustrators portraying the Latino cultural experience in 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. The timeline for the 2025 Book Grant application is as follows:
- February 10: Submission period opens in honor of Pura Belpre’s birthday.
- March 31: Last day to submit grant applications.
- April 7: Winners announced during National Library Week.
- April 15-30: Winning library(s) receive donation of books in time for their April 30th celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day).
To apply by the March 31st deadline, send proposals to: redeflpurabelprebookgrant@gmail.com
About the REFORMA de Florida Pura Belpré Book Donation Grant
Applicants submit proposals to qualify to win a collection of 150-200 books published in 2024 that were among titles submitted by publishers for consideration to the 2025 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 March 31, 2025.
-
“My name is Cool!” Antonio Sacre; ill. by Sarah Demonteverde
Familius. 2022.
Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Elementary school
Rating: 5 stars
Is it possible for a 5-year-old to have more than two names? Antonio Bernardo Sacre will be first to tell you his name is “Mr. Magoo, El Señor Magoo, El Goo, Antonio, Bernardo, Sacre, Papito, Coquito, Futinquito, El Capitán de los Mosquitos.”
Antonio Bernardo Sacre has never had any trouble with everyone knowing all his names, but now it’s time to go to kindergarten. When Mrs. Green asks for his name Antonio Bernardo Sacre proudly recites all ten of them. Uh oh! What will happen when a boy with ten names meets a teacher who only thinks he can have two names?
This amusing story is highlighted with full-page, colorful illustrations to complement Antonio Bernardo Sacre’s list of names. As the owner of 10 names myself (and a former kindergarten teacher) I’m not happy with how his teacher handled the situation. However, if Mr. Magoo, El Señor Magoo, El Goo, Antonio, Bernardo, Sacre, Papito, Coquito, Futinquito, El Capitán de los Mosquitos is happy, then Alma, Rosa, La Loca, Mi Vida y Corazón, Tire, Ramos, Feliciano, Mercedes, O’Neill, McDermott is happy too.
Recommended for ages 5-10.
Note: This review was originally published in: You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott
-
“Call me Roberto: Roberto Clemente goes to bat for Latinos” Nathalie Alonso; art by Rudy Gutierrez
Calkins Creek (Astra Books for Young Readers). 2024.
Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: Elementary school
Rating: 5 stars
(Includes “Author’s note,” photographs, “Glossary,” “Timeline of Roberto Clemente’s life,” and a “Selected Bibliography.”) 2024.
Exciting, action-filled descriptions of Roberto Clemente’s incredible hits, throws, and leaps that lifted the Pirates to two World Series, are contrasted with the lows he experienced due to racism. Reporters, opposing players, and fans didn’t like that he was Black and spoke Spanish, while teammates ignored him. Roberto insisted on being called by his first name, while reporters wanted to call him “Bob” because it sounded “more American” and made fun of his accent by phonetically quoting him in newspapers. During spring training in segregated Florida Roberto couldn’t leave his far-away room in a hotel for Blacks that was nothing like that provided to his White teammates. The constant prejudices he endured made Roberto more determined to have Latino players be treated equally.
Roberto was proud to be from Puerto Rico, and they were proud of him. After his first World Series win hardly anyone in Pittsburgh cared that he’d had a hit in every game, but Puerto Rico threw him a huge parade. They were always ready to celebrate his talent when he returned home, but Pittsburgh and its reporters only saw his skin color. Roberto was interviewed after his second World Series win and shocked everyone when he spoke Spanish, giving his blessing to his children and asking his parents for theirs. Puerto Ricans were extra proud.
Rudy Gutierrez’s lively and bold illustrations made with acrylic paint, colored pencils, and crayons fill each page. Scattered throughout are a series of Puerto Rican symbols like her elusive coquis, flag, palm trees, Flamboyan, and Taino petroglyphs, as well as musical instruments like the cuatro, bomba drum, maracas, pandero, and pandereta (tambourine). These hidden jewels, fun for young readers to discover, allow Roberto’s story to be interspersed with his island’s history and music.
From humble beginnings in Carolina, Puerto Rico, to the pinnacle of his success with the Pirates in 1972, young readers will learn about the phenomenon that was Roberto Clemente. Alonso’s phrases from the beginning and end of Roberto’s story states “He lives to swing and slide. To catch. To throw. To run.” These sentences summarize Roberto’s beginning and his end. Though tragically killed almost 53 years ago, Roberto’s baseball legacy in Pittsburgh, and the love he had for Puerto Rico, will live forever in the minds and hearts of his fans.
I really hope this book wins a Pura Belpré Author award as well as an Illustration Award at the January 2025 ALA Media Awards in Phoenix. As a Puerto Rican, it makes me proud. I will be in Phoenix that Monday morning to hope, scream, and shout if/when it wins. Stay tuned!
Highly recommended for ages 6-10.
Note: This review was originally posted in You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.
-
“These vengeful wishes” Vanessa Valdes
Zando Young Readers (Zando). To be published February 4, 2025.
Reviewed by Alma Ramos-McDermott
Category: High School (Young Adult)
Rating: 5 stars
Senior year was supposed to be the beginning of Ceci’s plan to get away from her mother’s constant failed marriages in pursuit of money. All she’d ever wanted was her love and attention, but her mother was more interested in money and men. After her husband was arrested, they were penniless and forced to return to the small town where her mom had grown up. There they would live in an ancient mansion that once belonged to the Sevilla family, the same family who town lore said La Segua, a wronged witch who could grant wishes, had cursed so no one ever lived long.
Due to her mom’s coldness towards her Ceci spent her life closed off to emotions. However Jaime, a cute boy she met soon after her arrival, seemed to bring out the best in her. Soon Ceci started to hear voices and began sleepwalking to the dark, haunted woods alongside the property but didn’t know what was happening. Jaime believed in her and, together, they uncovered a secret, hidden place in the woods where they met La Segua. Knowing wishes could change her life for the better Ceci began to ask La Segua for things, but darkness and destruction followed as her wishes began to come true.
It didn’t take long for the same darkness to stalk Ceci’s every move and for a voice from beyond the grave to call to her. With La Segua filling her mind with ancient memories and experiences, and events coming to their unnatural conclusions, it will take true love to save Ceci from the forces of evil conspiring against her.
I loved this book and was hooked from its first pages. I know my teen readers will be too.
Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.
Note: This review was originally posted in You Decide: Should I read it or not?
Reproduced here as a courtesy to Alma Ramos-McDermott.
REFORMA de Florida 